Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Metabolic Characterization of Polarized M1 and M2 Bone Marrow-derived Macrophages Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis
07:45

Metabolic Characterization of Polarized M1 and M2 Bone Marrow-derived Macrophages Using Real-time Extracellular Flux Analysis

Published on: November 28, 2015

36.6K

Irf5 Knockdown in Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages Favors M1-to-M2 Transition

Elizaveta Petrova1, Ekaterina Sherstyukova2, Snezhanna Kandrashina2

  • 1Odintsovo Center of Medical and Biological Technologies, 143025 Moscow, Russia.

Cells
|February 12, 2026
PubMed

Insights

The transcription factor IRF5 is crucial for maintaining macrophage polarization. Its knockdown alters macrophage phenotypes, impacting their function and metabolic properties.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Macrophages are key immune cells with distinct polarization states (M1 and M2).
  • The transcription factor Interferon Regulatory Factor 5 (IRF5) is known to maintain the pro-inflammatory M1 macrophage state.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of IRF5 in macrophage polarization.
  • To assess the effects of IRF5 knockdown on M0, M1, and M2 murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM).

Main Methods:

  • siRNA-mediated knockdown of Irf5 in BMDM.
  • Phenotypic analysis of macrophage states.
  • Measurement of M1 (iNOS) and M2 (CD206) marker expression.
  • Assessment of mitochondrial content and morphology.
  • Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for plasma membrane roughness and stiffness measurements.

Main Results:

  • IRF5 knockdown in M1 macrophages induced an M2-like phenotype, characterized by decreased iNOS and increased CD206 expression.
  • IRF5 reduction also affected the M2 macrophage phenotype.
  • IRF5 knockdown increased plasma membrane roughness and altered macrophage elasticity, particularly in M2 cells.
  • IRF5 plays a complex role in regulating macrophage polarization and associated functional properties.

Conclusions:

  • IRF5 has a dual role in macrophage polarization, acting as both a transcriptional activator and repressor.
  • IRF5 is essential for maintaining the metabolic and functional characteristics of macrophages in both M1 and M2 states.
Keywords:
IRF5M1M2Young’s modulusatomic force microscopybiomechanicsmacrophagesmitochondriapolarizationsiRNA

More Related Videos

Investigation of Macrophage Polarization Using Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages10:07

Investigation of Macrophage Polarization Using Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages

Published on: June 23, 2013

68.6K
Polarization and Characterization of M1 and M2 Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages on Implant Surfaces08:37

Polarization and Characterization of M1 and M2 Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages on Implant Surfaces

Published on: December 6, 2024

1.8K

Related Concept Videos

Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants01:22

Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants

Bone marrow transplant is a potential cure for several diseases, including cancer and specific genetic disorders. Notably, this procedure is applicable for patients suffering from aplastic anemia, certain types of leukemia, severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID), Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, thalassemia, sickle-cell disease, and certain cancers.
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy...
1.4K
Properties of Transition Metals02:58

Properties of Transition Metals

Transition metals are defined as those elements that have partially filled d orbitals. As shown in Figure 1, the d-block elements in groups 3–12 are transition elements. The f-block elements, also called inner transition metals (the lanthanides and actinides), also meet this criterion because the d orbital is partially occupied before the f orbitals.
30.1K
Phase Transitions02:31

Phase Transitions

Whether solid, liquid, or gas, a substance's state depends on the order and arrangement of its particles (atoms, molecules, or ions). Particles in the solid pack closely together, generally in a pattern. The particles vibrate about their fixed positions but do not move or squeeze past their neighbors. In liquids, although the particles are closely spaced, they are randomly arranged. The position of the particles are not fixed—that is, they are free to move past their neighbors to...
23.3K
Gibbs Free Energy and Thermodynamic Favorability02:23

Gibbs Free Energy and Thermodynamic Favorability

The spontaneity of a process depends upon the temperature of the system. Phase transitions, for example, will proceed spontaneously in one direction or the other depending upon the temperature of the substance in question. Likewise, some chemical reactions can also exhibit temperature-dependent spontaneities. To illustrate this concept, the equation relating free energy change to the enthalpy and entropy changes for the process is considered:
8.3K
Cooperative Allosteric Transitions01:58

Cooperative Allosteric Transitions

Cooperative allosteric transitions can occur in multimeric proteins, where each subunit of the protein has its own ligand-binding site. When a ligand binds to any of these subunits, it triggers a conformational change that affects the binding sites in the other subunits; this can change the affinity of the other sites for their respective ligands. The ability of the protein to change the shape of its binding site is attributed to the presence of a mix of flexible and stable segments in the...
8.9K
Phase Transitions: Vaporization and Condensation02:39

Phase Transitions: Vaporization and Condensation

The physical form of a substance changes on changing its temperature. For example, raising the temperature of a liquid causes the liquid to vaporize (convert into vapor). The process is called vaporization—a surface phenomenon. Vaporization occurs when the thermal motion of the molecules overcome the intermolecular forces, and the molecules (at the surface) escape into the gaseous state. When a liquid vaporizes in a closed container, gas molecules cannot escape. As these gas phase molecules...
21.6K