Is macrophage polarization important in rheumatoid arthritis?

Y Wang, C Han, D Cui, Y Li, Y Ma, W Wei - International …, 2017 - Elsevier
Y Wang, C Han, D Cui, Y Li, Y Ma, W Wei
International Immunopharmacology, 2017Elsevier
Macrophages are myeloid immune cells which are strategically positioned throughout the
body, where they engulf and degrade debris, dead cells, and foreign substances, and
coordinating the inflammatory processes. Macrophages can be divided into two extreme
subsets, classical activation (M1), and alternatively activation (M2). The symptoms and signs
of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) would exacerbate with the increase in pro-inflammatory
cytokines, whereas anti-inflammatory cytokines will alleviate the symptoms and signs of RA …
Abstract
Macrophages are myeloid immune cells which are strategically positioned throughout the body, where they engulf and degrade debris, dead cells, and foreign substances, and coordinating the inflammatory processes. Macrophages can be divided into two extreme subsets, classical activation (M1), and alternatively activation (M2). The symptoms and signs of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) would exacerbate with the increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines, whereas anti-inflammatory cytokines will alleviate the symptoms and signs of RA. This review, mainly discusses the effects of Notch, JNK and ERK signaling pathways on the regulation of macrophage polarization, and the effects of pro-inflammatory factors and/or anti-inflammatory cytokines produced by polarized macrophages in RA. Also, we will make an attempt to find out the importance of macrophage polarization in RA treatment as a drug target.
Elsevier