Specialization determines outcomes in inflammation and cancer

The functional heterogeneity of macrophages has ontological and microenvironmental bases, and differentially affects pathology. In pancreatitis, tissue-resident macrophages promote protective fibrosis that favors the maintenance of pancreatic homeostasis. In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, they promote tumor progression by facilitating stromal desmoplasia.

Automated summary

Tissue-resident macrophages promote protective fibrosis in pancreatitis for pancreatic homeostasis maintenance, while in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, they facilitate tumor progression through stromal desmoplasia.