Ly6c Infiltrating Macrophages Promote Cyst Progression in Injured Conditional Mice.

Ly6c infiltrating macrophage numbers are increased in injured, conditional mice, compared with controls. Loss of Ly6c infiltrating macrophages slows injury-accelerated cystic disease. Ly6c infiltrating macrophages drive cystic disease in non-–deficient cystic models.

Early infiltrating macrophage subtype correlates with late-stage phenotypic outcome in a mouse model of hepatorenal fibrocystic disease.

Hepatorenal fibrocystic disease (HRFCD) is a genetically inherited disorder related to primary cilia dysfunction in which patients display varying levels of fibrosis, bile duct expansion, and inflammation. In mouse models of HRFCD, the phenotype is greatly impacted by the genetic background in which the mutation is placed. Macrophages are a common factor associated with progression of HRFCD and are also strongly influenced by the genetic background.