Roles of RNA-binding proteins in macrophage function regulation and immunotherapy

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Macrophages are key innate immune cells with diverse functions in homeostasis, inflammation, and disease.
• Post-transcriptional gene regulation by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) is crucial for macrophage specialization.
• RBPs influence macrophage polarization, survival, metabolism, and tumor microenvironment remodeling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the mechanisms of RBP regulation in macrophage biology.
• To emphasize RBP roles in inflammatory, cancer, and metabolic diseases.
• To explore targeting RBPs as an immunotherapeutic strategy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of experimental data on RBPs and macrophage function.
• Analysis of RBP involvement in RNA splicing, transport, stability, translation, and epigenetic modifications.
• Examination of RBP interplay with RNA modifications (e.g., m6A) and noncoding RNAs.

Main Results:

• RBPs orchestrate complex gene expression networks impacting macrophage fate and function.
• RBPs are critical regulators of macrophage polarization, cell death, and metabolic reprogramming.
• Coordinated regulation by RBPs, RNA modifications, and noncoding RNAs shapes macrophage responses.

Conclusions:

• RBPs are central to macrophage functional plasticity and disease pathogenesis.
• Targeting RBPs presents a promising avenue for immunotherapies, particularly in cancer.
• Understanding RBP networks provides a framework for precise immune intervention strategies.