Macrophage Polarization in Health and Disease

Macrophages are terminally differentiated cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system that also encompasses dendritic cells, circulating blood monocytes, and committed myeloid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. Both macrophages and their monocytic precursors can change their functional state in resp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:TheScientificWorld 2011-01, Vol.2011 (2011), p.1-12
Main Authors: Cassetta, Luca, Poli, Guido, Cassol, Edana
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antigens, Surface - immunology
Biological diversity
Cell Differentiation
Cell Polarity
Cellular Microenvironment
Cytokines - immunology
Dendritic cells
Genetic aspects
Health aspects
HIV Infections - immunology
HIV Infections - virology
HIV-1 - immunology
Humans
Immunity, Innate
Macrophage Activation
Macrophages
Macrophages - immunology
Macrophages - pathology
Macrophages - virology
Neoplasms - immunology
Neoplasms - pathology
Physiological aspects
Review
Review Article
Systems Biology
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Summary:Macrophages are terminally differentiated cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system that also encompasses dendritic cells, circulating blood monocytes, and committed myeloid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. Both macrophages and their monocytic precursors can change their functional state in response to microenvironmental cues exhibiting a marked heterogeneity. However, there are still uncertainties regarding distinct expression patterns of surface markers that clearly define macrophage subsets, particularly in the case of human macrophages. In addition to their tissue distribution, macrophages can be functionally polarized into M1 (proinflammatory) and M2 (alternatively activated) as well as regulatory cells in response to both exogenous infections and solid tumors as well as by systems biology approaches.
ISSN:2356-6140
1537-744X
1537-744X
DOI:10.1100/2011/213962