Regulation of macrophage polarization by the STAT-SOCS signaling axis

Abstract

Macrophage polarization has many consequences for normal immune function, with M1-like macrophages required for host defense in response to viral and bacterial pathogens, and M2-like macrophages involved in the response to helminth infection and repair of tissue damage. Dysregulation of macrophage function also has important implications for excessive or inappropriate immune responses such as those observed in sepsis, autoimmunity and allergy and asthma, in addition to anti-tumor immunity. Macrophage polarization is regulated both intrinsically by changes in the epigenetic landscape and extrinsically, in response to pathogenic stimuli. An important component of the latter are the cytokines, ..