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Journal ArticleDOI

Alternative activation of macrophages

01 Jan 2003-Nature Reviews Immunology (Nature Publishing Group)-Vol. 3, Iss: 1, pp 23-35
TL;DR: The evidence in favour of alternative macrophage activation by the TH2-type cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 is assessed, and its limits and relevance to a range of immune and inflammatory conditions are defined.
Abstract: The classical pathway of interferon-gamma-dependent activation of macrophages by T helper 1 (T(H)1)-type responses is a well-established feature of cellular immunity to infection with intracellular pathogens, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV. The concept of an alternative pathway of macrophage activation by the T(H)2-type cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 has gained credence in the past decade, to account for a distinctive macrophage phenotype that is consistent with a different role in humoral immunity and repair. In this review, I assess the evidence in favour of alternative macrophage activation in the light of macrophage heterogeneity, and define its limits and relevance to a range of immune and inflammatory conditions.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This Review suggests a new grouping of macrophages based on three different homeostatic activities — host defence, wound healing and immune regulation, and proposes that similarly to primary colours, these three basic macrophage populations can blend into various other 'shades' of activation.
Abstract: Macrophages display remarkable plasticity and can change their physiology in response to environmental cues. These changes can give rise to different populations of cells with distinct functions. In this Review we suggest a new grouping of macrophage populations based on three different homeostatic activities - host defence, wound healing and immune regulation. We propose that similarly to primary colours, these three basic macrophage populations can blend into various other 'shades' of activation. We characterize each population and provide examples of macrophages from specific disease states that have the characteristics of one or more of these populations.

7,384 citations


Cites background from "Alternative activation of macrophag..."

  • ...In this classification, the M1 designation was reserved for classically activated macrophages and the M2 designation for alternatively activated macrophages...

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Recent evidence suggests that differential modulation of the chemokine system integrates polarized macrophages in pathways of resistance to, or promotion of, microbial pathogens and tumors, or immunoregulation, tissue repair and remodeling.

5,568 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Recent studies have shown that monocyte heterogeneity is conserved in humans and mice, allowing dissection of its functional relevance: the different monocyte subsets seem to reflect developmental stages with distinct physiological roles, such as recruitment to inflammatory lesions or entry to normal tissues.
Abstract: Heterogeneity of the macrophage lineage has long been recognized and, in part, is a result of the specialization of tissue macrophages in particular microenvironments. Circulating monocytes give rise to mature macrophages and are also heterogeneous themselves, although the physiological relevance of this is not completely understood. However, as we discuss here, recent studies have shown that monocyte heterogeneity is conserved in humans and mice, allowing dissection of its functional relevance: the different monocyte subsets seem to reflect developmental stages with distinct physiological roles, such as recruitment to inflammatory lesions or entry to normal tissues. These advances in our understanding have implications for the development of therapeutic strategies that are targeted to modify particular subpopulations of monocytes.

4,861 citations


Cites background from "Alternative activation of macrophag..."

  • ...A series of in vitro experiments has led to macrophages often being ascribed activation state...

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Journal ArticleDOI
Ruslan Medzhitov1
23 Jul 2008-Nature
TL;DR: This work has shown that tissue stress or malfunction induces an adaptive response that is intermediate between the basal homeostatic state and a classic inflammatory response, which is referred to here as para-inflammation.
Abstract: Inflammation underlies a wide variety of physiological and pathological processes. Although the pathological aspects of many types of inflammation are well appreciated, their physiological functions are mostly unknown. The classic instigators of inflammation - infection and tissue injury - are at one end of a large range of adverse conditions that induce inflammation, and they trigger the recruitment of leukocytes and plasma proteins to the affected tissue site. Tissue stress or malfunction similarly induces an adaptive response, which is referred to here as para-inflammation. This response relies mainly on tissue-resident macrophages and is intermediate between the basal homeostatic state and a classic inflammatory response. Para-inflammation is probably responsible for the chronic inflammatory conditions that are associated with modern human diseases.

4,832 citations


Cites background from "Alternative activation of macrophag..."

  • ...Furthermore, tissue-derived signals can control the activation state and type of recruited macrophag...

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The identification of mechanisms and molecules associated with macrophage plasticity and polarized activation provides a basis for Macrophage-centered diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Abstract: Diversity and plasticity are hallmarks of cells of the monocyte-macrophage lineage. In response to IFNs, Toll-like receptor engagement, or IL-4/IL-13 signaling, macrophages undergo M1 (classical) or M2 (alternative) activation, which represent extremes of a continuum in a universe of activation states. Progress has now been made in defining the signaling pathways, transcriptional networks, and epigenetic mechanisms underlying M1-M2 or M2-like polarized activation. Functional skewing of mononuclear phagocytes occurs in vivo under physiological conditions (e.g., ontogenesis and pregnancy) and in pathology (allergic and chronic inflammation, tissue repair, infection, and cancer). However, in selected preclinical and clinical conditions, coexistence of cells in different activation states and unique or mixed phenotypes have been observed, a reflection of dynamic changes and complex tissue-derived signals. The identification of mechanisms and molecules associated with macrophage plasticity and polarized activation provides a basis for macrophage-centered diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

4,721 citations


Cites background from "Alternative activation of macrophag..."

  • ...IL-10 activates STAT3-mediated expression of genes (Il10, Tgfb1, Mrc1) associated with an M2-like phenotype (4, 15, 16)....

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References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A rationale for the use of cytokine and chemokine blockade, and further investigation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, in the chemoprevention and treatment of malignant diseases is provided.

6,905 citations


Additional excerpts

  • ...Macrophages are present, and are occasionally abundan...

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Dendritic cells are antigen-presenting cells with a unique ability to induce primary immune responses and may be important for the induction of immunological tolerance, as well as for the regulation of the type of T cell-mediated immune response.
Abstract: Dendritic cells (DCs) are antigen-presenting cells with a unique ability to induce primary immune responses. DCs capture and transfer information from the outside world to the cells of the adaptive immune system. DCs are not only critical for the induction of primary immune responses, but may also be important for the induction of immunological tolerance, as well as for the regulation of the type of T cell-mediated immune response. Although our understanding of DC biology is still in its infancy, we are now beginning to use DC-based immunotherapy protocols to elicit immunity against cancer and infectious diseases.

6,758 citations


"Alternative activation of macrophag..." refers background in this paper

  • ...The hallmark of DC function is the unique ability of these cells to present antigens to naive T cells, whereas macrophages and B cells can only activate primed T cell...

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Findings that have advanced the understanding of IL-10 and its receptor are highlighted, as well as its in vivo function in health and disease.
Abstract: Interleukin-10 (IL-10), first recognized for its ability to inhibit activation and effector function of T cells, monocytes, and macrophages, is a multifunctional cytokine with diverse effects on most hemopoietic cell types. The principal routine function of IL-10 appears to be to limit and ultimately terminate inflammatory responses. In addition to these activities, IL-10 regulates growth and/or differentiation of B cells, NK cells, cytotoxic and helper T cells, mast cells, granulocytes, dendritic cells, keratinocytes, and endothelial cells. IL-10 plays a key role in differentiation and function of a newly appreciated type of T cell, the T regulatory cell, which may figure prominently in control of immune responses and tolerance in vivo. Uniquely among hemopoietic cytokines, IL-10 has closely related homologs in several virus genomes, which testify to its crucial role in regulating immune and inflammatory responses. This review highlights findings that have advanced our understanding of IL-10 and its receptor, as well as its in vivo function in health and disease.

6,308 citations


"Alternative activation of macrophag..." refers background in this paper

  • ...IL-10 acts on a distinct plasma-membrane receptor to those for IL-4 and IL-13 (Ref...

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Journal ArticleDOI
23 Feb 2001-Cell
TL;DR: Elevated levels of serum cholesterol are probably unique through the hepatic LDL receptor pathway, as evi-in being sufficient to drive the development of athero-denced by the fact that lack of functional LDL receptors sclerosis in humans and experimental animals, even in is responsible for the massive accumulation of LDL in the absence of other known risk factors.

2,995 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results suggest that binding and/or phagocytosis of apoptotic cells induces active antiinflammatory or suppressive properties in human macrophages, likely that resolution of inflammation depends not only on the removal of apoptosis but on active suppression of inflammatory mediator production.
Abstract: Apoptosis in vivo is followed almost inevitably by rapid uptake into adjacent phagocytic cells, a critical process in tissue remodeling, regulation of the immune response, or resolution of inflammation. Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages has been suggested to be a quiet process that does not lead to production of inflammatory mediators. Here we show that phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils (in contrast to immunoglobulin G-opsonized apoptotic cells) actively inhibited the production of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-8, IL-10, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, as well as leukotriene C4 and thromboxane B2, by human monocyte-derived macrophages. In contrast, production of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, prostaglandin E2, and platelet-activating factor (PAF) was increased. The latter appeared to be involved in the inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine production because addition of exogenous TGF-beta1, prostaglandin E2, or PAF resulted in inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cytokine production. Furthermore, anti-TGF-beta antibody, indomethacin, or PAF receptor antagonists restored cytokine production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages that had phagocytosed apoptotic cells. These results suggest that binding and/or phagocytosis of apoptotic cells induces active antiinflammatory or suppressive properties in human macrophages. Therefore, it is likely that resolution of inflammation depends not only on the removal of apoptotic cells but on active suppression of inflammatory mediator production. Disorders in either could result in chronic inflammatory diseases.

2,978 citations