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Updated: Mar 7, 2026
Reprograming Model of Human Monocyte-derived Macrophages for In-vitro Assays
Published on: April 18, 2025
The Current State of Nanoparticle-Induced Macrophage Polarization and Reprogramming Research
Xiaoyuan Miao1, Xiangfeng Leng2, Qiu Zhang3
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, China. miaoxiaoyuan91@163.com.
Abstract:
Macrophages are vital regulators of the host defense in organisms. In response to different local microenvironments, resting macrophages (M0) can be polarized into different phenotypes, pro-inflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory (M2), and perform different roles in different physiological or pathological conditions. Polarized macrophages can also be further reprogrammed by reversing their phenotype according to the changed milieu. Macrophage polarization and reprogramming play essential roles in maintaining the steady state of the immune system and are involved in the processes of many diseases. As foreign substances, nanoparticles (NPs) mainly target macrophages after entering the body. NPs can perturb the polarization and reprogramming of macrophages, affect their immunological function and, therefore, affect the pathological process of disease. Optimally-designed NPs for the modulation of macrophage polarization and reprogramming might provide new solutions for treating diseases. Systematically investigating how NPs affect macrophage polarization is crucial for understanding the regulatory effects of NPs on immune cells in vivo. In this review, macrophage polarization by NPs is summarized and discussed.
Insights
Nanoparticles (NPs) influence macrophage polarization, impacting immune responses and disease. Understanding how NPs modulate these immune cells is key to developing new disease treatments.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nanomedicine
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Macrophages are crucial for host defense, with phenotypes like pro-inflammatory (M1) and anti-inflammatory (M2) macrophages adapting to microenvironments.
- Macrophage polarization and reprogramming are vital for immune homeostasis and implicated in various diseases.
- Nanoparticles (NPs) primarily interact with macrophages upon entering the body, potentially altering their function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and discuss how nanoparticles (NPs) affect macrophage polarization.
- To explore the potential of NPs in modulating macrophage polarization for therapeutic applications.
- To enhance understanding of NP-immune cell interactions in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on studies investigating nanoparticle-macrophage interactions.
- Analysis of research on NP-induced changes in macrophage polarization phenotypes (M1/M2).
- Synthesis of findings on the impact of NPs on macrophage immunological functions.
Main Results:
- Nanoparticles can perturb macrophage polarization and reprogramming.
- These perturbations affect macrophage immunological functions and disease pathology.
- Optimally designed NPs show promise for modulating macrophage behavior.
Conclusions:
- Understanding nanoparticle-driven macrophage polarization is critical for immune regulation.
- Nanoparticles offer potential as tools to modulate macrophage polarization for disease treatment.
- Further investigation into NP-macrophage interactions is essential for advancing nanomedicine.
