IL-34: The brains behind CSF-1R pathology in the brain and skin?

In humans, loss or gain of function in CSF-1R has been associated with many inflammatory conditions and cancers, due to its role in the maintenance of mononuclear phagocytes. In particular, the CSF-1R ligand IL-34 plays a key role in maintaining the tissue resident macrophages of the skin and brain, thus being critical to antimicrobial and other inflammatory responses at these sites. IL-34, along with CSF-1, has also been implicated in the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögrens, as well as a poor prognosis in many malignancies. more...