Molecular Mechanisms That Influence the Macrophage M1–M2 Polarization Balance

As an essential component of innate immunity, macrophages have multiple functions in both inhibiting or promoting cell proliferation and tissue repair. Diversity and plasticity are hallmarks of macrophages. Classical M1 and alternative M2 activation of macrophages, mirroring the Th1-Th2 polarization of T cells, represent two extremes of a dynamic changing state of macrophage activation. M1-type macrophages release cytokines that inhibit the proliferation of surrounding cells and damage contiguous tissue, and M2-type macrophages release cytokines that promote the proliferation of contiguous cells and tissue repair. M1-M2 polarization of macrophage is a tightly controlled process entailing a set of signaling…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 30471991, 30988003, 30570731, 30225037, BK2011013
• GO
  Government of Jiangsu Province
• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province

  Award: BK2011013
• NK
  National Key Research and Development Program of China

  Awards: 2012CB517603, 2011CB504803, BK2011013