Macrophage polarization regulates the pathogenesis and progression of autoimmune diseases

Macrophages are integral components of the innate immune system, present in nearly all tissues and organs throughout the body. They exhibit a high degree of plasticity and heterogeneity, participating in immune responses to maintain immune homeostasis. When the immune system loses tolerance, macrophages rapidly proliferate and polarize in response to various signaling pathways within a disrupted microenvironment. The direction of macrophage polarization can be regulated by a variety of factors, including transcription factors, non-coding RNAs, and metabolic reprogramming. Autoimmune diseases arise from the immune system's activation against host cells, with macrophage polarization playing a critical role in the pathogenesis of numerous chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and type 1 diabetes. Consequently, elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying macrophage development and function presents opportunities for the development of novel therapeutic targets. This review outlines the functions of macrophage polarization in prevalent autoimmune diseases and the underlying mechanisms involved. Furthermore, we discuss the immunotherapeutic potential of targeting macrophage polarization and highlight the characteristics and recent advancements of promising therapeutic targets. Our aim is to inspire further strategies to restore macrophage balance in preventing and treating autoimmune diseases.