The article investigates the role of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) in the context of aging and chronic inflammation, referred to as "inflammaging." Using single-cell RNA sequencing and mouse models, the researchers identify diverse ATM subsets, including a novel population called nerve-associated macrophages (NAMs), which are characterized by the marker CD169 and decrease with age, particularly in female mice. The study demonstrates that the depletion of these CD169+ NAMs impairs the metabolic function of adipose tissue by disrupting lipolysis and promoting catecholamine resistance, ultimately exacerbating age-related inflammation. Furthermore, the research defines a unique inflammatory subset, age-associated macrophages (AAMs), which accumulates significantly in aged visceral adipose tissue, linking macrophage remodeling to age-related tissue dysfunction.

References:

• Gonzalez-Hurtado E, Leveau C, Li K, et al. Nerve-associated macrophages control adipose homeostasis across lifespan and restrain age-related inflammation[J]. Nature Aging, 2025: 1-16.