Monocyte To Macrophage Differentiation Associated Protein (MMA)

Macrophages participate in both specific and nonspecific immune responses and play a critical role in extracellular matrix remodeling and wound healing. Heterogeneous macrophage populations in various tissues and body cavities are thought to be maintained through a pool of precursor cells, the blood monocytes, which differentiate from pluripotent stem cells in the bone marrow.

MMA is expressed by in vitro differentiated macrophages but not freshly isolated monocytes. Although sequence analysis identifies seven potential transmembrane domains, this protein has little homology to G-protein receptors and it has not been positively identified as a receptor. A suggested alternative function is that of an ion channel protein in maturing macrophages.