上海交通大学学报(英文版) ›› 2014, Vol. 19 ›› Issue (6): 646-650.doi: 10.1007/s12204-014-1561-z

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Polarization and Functional Plasticity of Macrophages in Regulating Innate Immune Response

LIU Wen-jun (刘雯君), GAO Wei-qiang (高维强), KONG Xiao-ni*(孔晓妮)   

  1. (School of Biomedical Engineering; Med-X Research Instituted, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200030, China)
  • 出版日期:2014-12-31 发布日期:2014-12-08
  • 通讯作者: KONG Xiao-ni (孔晓妮) E-mail:xiaonikong@gmail.com

Polarization and Functional Plasticity of Macrophages in Regulating Innate Immune Response

LIU Wen-jun (刘雯君), GAO Wei-qiang (高维强), KONG Xiao-ni*(孔晓妮)   

  1. (School of Biomedical Engineering; Med-X Research Instituted, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200030, China)
  • Online:2014-12-31 Published:2014-12-08
  • Contact: KONG Xiao-ni (孔晓妮) E-mail:xiaonikong@gmail.com

摘要: Innate immune system is the first line of resistance that protects the host body from invasion of pathogens. During this innate immune response process, macrophages are well known to be the powerful leading players located throughout the body in defecting attacks. Originated from bone marrow, monocyte-macrophage lineage still manifests hallmarks of plasticity and diversity. Toll-like receptor (TLR) or interferon gamma (IFNγ) drives macrophages into M1 (classical) activation while IL-4/IL-13 or IL-10 induces M2 (alternative) activation. Different phenotypes of macrophages have distinct biological functions, transcriptional profiles, signaling pathways and cytokines along with chemokine framework. Classical M1 macrophages show strong pro-inflammatory and antimicrobial abilities while M2 macrophages are skilled at anti-inflammation, wound healing and fibrosis. Researches have shown that under different pathological conditions, macrophages are programmed to be different phenotypic subsets and play disparate immunomodulation. However, under the intricate microenvironment, there might be mixed populations instead of a kind of unique phenotypic macrophages. Evidences also show that macrophages can be converted from one phenotype to another according to microenvironmental signals (cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and microbial-associated molecule patterns). A better understanding of the mechanisms of plasticity and polarization of macrophages will shine new lights into the mechanisms underlying the innate inflammation diseases and suggest promising therapeutic targets.

关键词: macrophages, plasticity, polarization, innate immunity

Abstract: Innate immune system is the first line of resistance that protects the host body from invasion of pathogens. During this innate immune response process, macrophages are well known to be the powerful leading players located throughout the body in defecting attacks. Originated from bone marrow, monocyte-macrophage lineage still manifests hallmarks of plasticity and diversity. Toll-like receptor (TLR) or interferon gamma (IFNγ) drives macrophages into M1 (classical) activation while IL-4/IL-13 or IL-10 induces M2 (alternative) activation. Different phenotypes of macrophages have distinct biological functions, transcriptional profiles, signaling pathways and cytokines along with chemokine framework. Classical M1 macrophages show strong pro-inflammatory and antimicrobial abilities while M2 macrophages are skilled at anti-inflammation, wound healing and fibrosis. Researches have shown that under different pathological conditions, macrophages are programmed to be different phenotypic subsets and play disparate immunomodulation. However, under the intricate microenvironment, there might be mixed populations instead of a kind of unique phenotypic macrophages. Evidences also show that macrophages can be converted from one phenotype to another according to microenvironmental signals (cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and microbial-associated molecule patterns). A better understanding of the mechanisms of plasticity and polarization of macrophages will shine new lights into the mechanisms underlying the innate inflammation diseases and suggest promising therapeutic targets.

Key words: macrophages, plasticity, polarization, innate immunity

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