Brain perivascular macrophages regulate endothelial cell function via a cMAF-dependent transcriptional program in mouse and human [ChIP-Seq]

Using single-cell multi-omics and functional experiments, we identify cMAF as a key transcription factor for brain perivascular macrophages. Conditional deletion of cMAF disrupts the phenotype of perivascular macrophages, while sparing microglia.

Functionally, cMAF drives IGF1 expression in perivascular macrophages, enabling communication with endothelial cells. Consistently, cMAF deletion in perivascular macrophages causes transcriptional alterations in cerebral arteries affecting vascular functions. Notably, cMAF emerges as the main transcription factor for human perivascular macrophages, suggesting conservation of this transcriptional module.