来源：科技日报 为解析肝脏中巨噬细胞的空间排布和分子表型，研究人员运用前期发展的Liver-CUBIC光透明成像技术 与显微光学断层成像技术，对CX3CR1-GFP小鼠的完整肝叶开展单细胞分辨率成像。研究人员发现，在 肝脏汇管区，肝脏中的CX3CR1阳性细胞密集分布且具备独特转录特征。研究人员结合单细胞转录组测 序分析，将该细胞群命名为肝脏汇管区巨噬细胞亚群。 研究发现，肝脏汇管区巨噬细胞亚群不仅在肝脏免疫稳态中扮演关键角色，还在神经保护方面发挥重要 作用。肝脏汇管区巨噬细胞亚群能够捕获肝实质细胞来源的抗原，与汇管区T细胞形成稳定接触以参与 免疫反应调节，还能够通过与肝脏交感神经直接接触来保护神经结构。 在非酒精性脂肪肝炎小鼠模型中发现，肝脏汇管区巨噬细胞亚群缺失会使中性粒细胞浸润增加，并加剧 交感神经损伤。这些发现进一步证实其在维持肝脏免疫稳态和神经保护中的重要性。 这一研究揭示了肝脏汇管区巨噬细胞亚群在免疫稳态和神经保护中的作用，深化了对肝脏汇管区巨噬细 胞亚群空间异质性的认知，为肝脏免疫学和神经免疫学提供新见解，也为相关疾病治疗提供潜在新靶 标。《自然免疫》在同期配发的新闻与观点文章中指出，该研究将有助 ...

Core Viewpoint - The research identifies a unique subset of liver portal macrophages (LPAM) that play a crucial role in maintaining liver immune homeostasis and have neuroprotective functions [3][6]. Group 1: Research Findings - The study published in Nature Immunology reveals the existence of a distinct LPAM network characterized by CX3CR1+ CD63+ cells, which differ significantly in transcription and spatial distribution from CX3CR1+ CD207+ liver capsule macrophages [5]. - LPAM survival is dependent on the colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R), and these cells are established in the liver portal area post-birth, supplemented by bone marrow-derived cells during liver homeostasis [5]. - During non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the absence of LPAM leads to increased neutrophil infiltration and exacerbates sympathetic nerve degeneration [5]. Group 2: Implications for Liver Health - The findings suggest that the liver portal area is a critical region for regulating liver homeostasis and disease, with tissue macrophages capturing antigens, protecting sympathetic nerves, and limiting neutrophil recruitment during inflammation [7].