Cited by 290Immune cells in cancerCardiac Fibrosis and RemodelingPhagocytosis and Immune Regulation

Alternatively activated macrophages in infection and autoimmunity

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Fairweather, DeLisa, Cihakova, Daniela·2009·Journal of Autoimmunity

Abstract

Macrophages are innate immune cells that play an important role in activation of the immune response and wound healing. Pathogens that require T helper-type 2 (Th2) responses for effective clearance, such as parasitic worms, are strong inducers of alternatively activated or M2 macrophages. However, infections such as bacteria and viruses that require Th1-type responses may induce M2 as a strategy to evade the immune system. M2 are particularly efficient at scavenging self tissues following injury through receptors like the mannose receptor and scavenger receptor-A. Thus, M2 may increase autoimmune disease by presenting self tissue to T cells. M2 may also exacerbate immune complex (IC)-mediated pathology and fibrosis, a hallmark of autoimmune disease in women, due to the release of profibrotic factors such as interleukin-1beta, transforming growth factor-beta, fibronectin and matrix metalloproteinases. We have found that M2 comprise anywhere from 30% to 70% of the infiltrate during acute viral or experimental autoimmune myocarditis, and shifts in M2 populations correlate with increased IC deposition, fibrosis and chronic autoimmune pathology. Thus, women may be at an increased risk of M2-mediated autoimmunity due to estrogen's ability to increase Th2 responses.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jaut.2009.09.012

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  • In preclinical animal models for myocarditis, monocytes and macrophages were predominant populations in heart infiltrates.

    “in preclinical animal models for myocarditis, monocytes and macrophages were predominant populations in the heart infiltrates”

    From Autoimmune Myocarditis, Old Dogs and New Tricks. (2024) · cites this paper as [114]

  • M1s are pro-inflammatory and microbicidal; M2s are immunomodulatory, reparative, and poorly microbicidal.

    “In general, M1s or classically activated MΦs are pro-inflammatory and microbicidal, whereas M2s or alternatively activated MΦs are immunomodulatory, reparative, and poorly microbicidal [7–12].”

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Authors
Fairweather, D., & Cihakova, D.
Affiliations
Johns Hopkins University (US)
Corresponding author
Fairweather, DeLisa
Venue
Journal of Autoimmunity
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2009-11
Volume
33
Issue
3-4
Pages
222-230
ISSN
0896-8411 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2083198686
Cited by
290
References
124
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 26 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 26 · 2013: 32 · 2012: 36
FWCI
12.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Autoimmunity (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Myocarditis Foundation
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL 67290, R01HL087033, R01HL067290, HL 70729, R01HL070729, HL087033)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune cells in cancer
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiac Fibrosis and Remodeling
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Phagocytosis and Immune Regulation
Keywords
M2 macrophages, autoimmunity, infection, Th2 immune response, Th1 response, immune evasion, fibrosis, experimental autoimmune myocarditis, viral infection, estrogen, sex differences, CD206, scavenger receptor A
MeSH terms
Animals, Autoimmune Diseases, Complement System Proteins, Female, Humans, Immunity, Cellular, Infections, Macrophage Activation, Macrophages, Male, Sex Factors, Gonadal Steroid Hormones, Cytokines, Immunity, Humoral

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