Cited by 183Immune cells in cancerImmunotherapy and Immune ResponsesPhagocytosis and Immune Regulation

Functional plasticity of macrophages: in situ reprogramming of tumor-associated macrophages

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Stout, Robert D, Watkins, Stephanie K, Suttles, Jill·2009·Journal of Leukocyte Biology

Abstract

Functionally polarized macrophages in chronic pathologies are highly adaptable cells displaying a functional response to tissue signals, which response can be reprogrammed to therapeutic advantage. The extent to which the functional heterogeneity of Mφs is dependent on the differentiation of functional sublineages remains unresolved. One alternative hypothesis proposes that Mφs are functionally plastic cells, which are capable of altering their functional activities progressively in response to progressively changing signaling molecules generated in their microenvironment. This “functional plasticity” hypothesis predicts that the functionally polarized Mφs in chronic pathologies do not represent Mφ sublineages but rather, are mutable phenotypes sustained by chronic signaling from the pathological environment. Solid TAMφs are chronically polarized to provide activities that support tumor growth and metastasis and suppress adaptive immune responses. In support of the functional plasticity hypothesis, administration of slow-release microsphere-encapsulated IL-12 successfully reprogrammed TAMφs in situ, reducing Mφ support of tumor growth and metastasis and enhancing Mφ proimmunogenic activities. Increased knowledge of how Mφ function is regulated and how polarized Mφs can be reprogrammed in situ will increase our ability to control Mφ function in a variety of pathological states, including cancer and chronic inflammatory disease.

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Crossref · 10.1189/jlb.0209073

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  • Macrophages have dynamic and plastic phenotypes that change with local microenvironmental signals, unlike lymphocytes whose phenotype is relatively fixed upon differentiation.

    “It has been shown that unlike lymphocytes, where cellular phenotype is relatively fixed upon differentiation, macrophages have dynamic and plastic phenotypes that change with local microenvironmental signals [5,14–16].”

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  1. Adams D O, Hamilton T A. Molecular basis of macrophage activation: diversity and its origins. Lewis C E, McGee J O, editors. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press; The Macrophage. 1992:75–114. [Google Scholar]

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Authors
Stout, R. D., Watkins, S. K., & Suttles, J.
Affiliations
  • University of Louisville (US)
  • Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (US)
Corresponding author
Stout, Robert D
Venue
Journal of Leukocyte Biology
Published
2009-07-15
Volume
86
Issue
5
Pages
1105-1109
ISSN
  • 0741-5400 (ISSN-L)
  • 1938-3673
OpenAlex
W2128057905
Cited by
183
References
65
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 19
FWCI
1.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Leukocyte Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (AI048850)
  • Kentucky Lung Cancer Research Fund
  • The American Lung Association
  • Commonwealth of Kentucky Research Challenge Trust Fund
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune cells in cancer
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immunotherapy and Immune Responses
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Phagocytosis and Immune Regulation
Keywords
tumor-associated macrophages, macrophage reprogramming, macrophage polarization, IL-12, tumor growth, metastasis, immunosuppression, chronic inflammation, cancer immunotherapy
MeSH terms
Cell Differentiation, Humans, Immune System, Killer Cells, Natural, Macrophages, Monocytes, Neoplasms, Th1 Cells, Th2 Cells

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