Macrophages: emerging targets for ulcerative colitis.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Gastroenterology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with complex causes and few treatments.
• Macrophages are crucial in UC, influencing inflammation and tissue repair.
• A comprehensive summary of macrophage regulatory pathways in UC is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the role of macrophages in UC.
• To elucidate macrophage regulatory mechanisms in UC.
• To identify potential therapeutic strategies and future research directions for UC.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a comprehensive literature review.
• Integrated global studies on macrophage pathways in UC.
• Focused on molecular mechanisms of macrophage polarization and function.

Main Results:

• Macrophage dysfunction is central to UC pathogenesis.
• Metabolic reprogramming fundamentally alters macrophage phenotype and function.
• Epigenetic modifications, chemokine recruitment, microbial metabolites, autophagy, and apoptosis also mediate macrophage changes.

Conclusions:

• Targeting macrophage pathways is an effective therapeutic strategy for UC.
• This review provides a foundation for precision treatments modulating macrophages.
• Identified new avenues for future research in UC and macrophage biology.