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Investigation of Macrophage Polarization Using Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages
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Orchestrating inflammation: non-coding RNAs as master regulators of macrophage function in chronic obstructive

Xinyu Yong1,2, Xian Luo1,2, Xiaobing Chen1,2

  • 1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China.

Frontiers in Immunology
|November 13, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) critically regulate macrophage function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Targeting these ncRNA-macrophage interactions offers promising avenues for personalized COPD diagnostics and therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant global health issue.
  • Macrophage dysfunction and chronic inflammation are hallmarks of COPD.
  • Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their role in regulating macrophage behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current evidence on how ncRNA-macrophage regulatory axes contribute to COPD pathogenesis.
  • To explore the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of ncRNAs in COPD.
  • To identify challenges and future directions in ncRNA-based COPD research.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of studies investigating ncRNAs (miRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs) and their impact on macrophage polarization in COPD.
  • Analysis of molecular pathways (e.g., NF-κB, STAT3) involved in ncRNA-mediated inflammation.
  • Examination of clinical studies translating mechanistic insights into biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Main Results:

  • Pro-inflammatory miRNAs (e.g., miR-155) drive M1 macrophage polarization and inflammation.
  • Anti-inflammatory miRNAs promote resolution of inflammation.
  • Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) employ complex regulatory mechanisms, including acting as scaffolds and competing for microRNAs.
  • ncRNAs have shown potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in human COPD patients.

Conclusions:

  • ncRNA-macrophage regulatory axes are key drivers of COPD progression.
  • Targeting these axes presents a promising strategy for developing novel diagnostics and therapeutics for COPD.
  • Further research is needed to overcome methodological challenges and fully realize the clinical potential of ncRNA-based precision medicine in COPD management.
Keywords:
biomarkerschronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseinflammationmacrophagesnon-coding RNAs

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