M1 and M2 Macrophages: Oracles of Health and Disease.

摘要: The purpose of immunology is simple. Cure or prevent disease. M1/M2 useful because it describes the two major and opposing activities macrophages. M1 activity inhibits cell proliferation causes tissue damage while M2 promotes repair. Remarkably, molecules primarily responsible for these "Fight" (NO) "Fix" (Ornithine) both arise from arginine, via enzymatic pathways (iNOS arginase) that down regulate each other. names were chosen macrophages promote Th1 Th2 responses, respectively. Products responses (e.g., IFN-γ, IL-4) also M1activity, Thus, demonstrated importance Innate Immunity how linked to Adaptive in a beautifully counterbalanced system. "Civilization" increased longevity present new disease challenges such as cancer atherosclerosis do not display classical "foreign" antigens. And, diseases are often associated with (or caused by) M1- M2- type formerly fighting infections, but now inappropriate our increasingly "germ-free" societies. In turn, there considerable potential modulating modern achieve better health. Finally, since Th2) work concert produce characteristic immune pathologies, recommended Immune Type 1 2 (IT1, IT2) would be simpler unifying terminology going forward.