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UCLA Study Reveals Macrophages Have Immune Memory
Groundbreaking research shows macrophages can 'remember' past infections, opening new avenues for autoimmune disease treatment.
Published on Feb. 22, 2026
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A study from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, has revealed that macrophages - the body's frontline immune cells - possess a remarkable ability to 'remember' past encounters with pathogens. This discovery is reshaping our understanding of immunity and offering new possibilities for treating autoimmune conditions like lupus and arthritis.
Why it matters
The key to this macrophage memory lies in a signaling molecule called interferon gamma (IFNγ). When the immune system first encounters a threat, IFNγ prompts macrophages to alter their DNA, creating specialized 'enhancer' domains that activate genes crucial for fighting off the infection. Researchers have now found that small amounts of IFNγ remain attached to the macrophages and their surrounding environment, acting as a constant reminder and keeping the cells primed for action. This discovery could lead to new therapies that target the IFNγ signaling pathway to 'reset' misprogrammed macrophages in autoimmune diseases.
The details
The UCLA study reveals that the macrophage memory isn't about permanently altered DNA. Instead, the residual IFNγ acts as a constant reminder, sustaining the macrophage's 'memory' and keeping it primed for action. When researchers blocked these lingering signals, the macrophages lost their enhanced response capabilities. 'Our new findings suggest that these changes in macrophages are actually readily reversible and do not inherently encode immune memory,' explains Professor Alexander Hoffmann, senior author of the study. 'Instead, the cells are dependent on ongoing signaling from interferon gamma sequestered at or near the macrophage cell surface.'
- The study was published on February 18, 2026 in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.
The players
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
The research institution where the groundbreaking study on macrophage immune memory was conducted.
Professor Alexander Hoffmann
The senior author of the study and a researcher at UCLA.
What they’re saying
“Our new findings suggest that these changes in macrophages are actually readily reversible and do not inherently encode immune memory. Instead, the cells are dependent on ongoing signaling from interferon gamma sequestered at or near the macrophage cell surface.”
— Professor Alexander Hoffmann, Senior Author of the Study (Journal of Experimental Medicine)
What’s next
Researchers will focus on identifying the specific mechanisms by which IFNγ interacts with macrophages and developing therapies that can selectively disrupt these interactions. Advances in single-cell and spatial multi-omics are also expected to redefine macrophage subsets and expose disease-associated states, paving the way for more personalized and effective treatments.
The takeaway
This discovery has significant implications for understanding and treating autoimmune diseases. By blocking the persistent IFNγ signaling, it might be possible to reset misprogrammed macrophages and prevent them from attacking healthy tissues, offering a new therapeutic strategy for conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
