The therapeutic potential of bone marrow-derived macrophages in neurological diseases

Circulating monocytes are precursors of both tissue macrophages and dendritic cells, and they can infiltrate the central nervous system (CNS) where they transform into bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). BMDMs play essential roles in various CNS diseases, thus modulating BMDMs might be a way to treat these disorders because there are currently no efficient therapeutic methods available for most of these neurological diseases. Moreover, BMDMs can serve as promising gene delivery vehicles following bone marrow transplantation for otherwise incurable genetic CNS diseases. Understanding the distinct roles that BMDMs play in CNS diseases and their potential as gene delivery vehicles may provide new insights and opportunities for using BMDMs as therapeutic targets or delivery vehicles. This review attempts to comprehensively summarize the neurological diseases that might be treated by modulating BMDMs or by delivering gene therapies via BMDMs after bone marrow transplantation.

Automated summary

Circulating monocytes can transform into bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and play important roles in the central nervous system (CNS). Modulating BMDMs may be a way to treat neurological diseases, and BMDMs can serve as gene delivery vehicles after bone marrow transplantation. Understanding the roles of BMDMs in CNS diseases and their potential as gene delivery vehicles provides new opportunities for therapeutic interventions.