Macrophages: shapes and functions
Uwe Lendeckel, Simone Venz, Carmen Wolke
Abstract
Macrophages are cells of the innate immune system and represent an important component of the first-line defense against pathogens and tumor cells. Here, their diverse functions in inflammation and tumor defense are described, and the mechanisms, tools, and activation pathways and states applied are presented. The main focus is on the role and origin of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the important signal pathways TLR/NF-κB, and the M1/M2 polarization of macrophages.
Topics & Concepts
Innate immune systemCell biologyInflammationFirst lineReactive oxygen speciesImmune systemMacrophageBiologySignal transductionFocus (optics)ImmunologyPhysicsMedicineIn vitroGeneticsInternal medicineOpticsImmune cells in cancerImmune Response and InflammationNeuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms