Alternative activation of macrophages

Siamon Gordon*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

5058 Scopus citations

Abstract

The classical pathway of interferon-γ-dependent activation of macrophages by T helper 1 (TH1)-type responses is a well-established feature of cellular immunity to infection with intracellular pathogens, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV. The concept of an alternative pathway of macrophage activation by the TH2-type cytokines interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 has gained credence in the past decade, to account for a distinctive macrophage phenotype that is consistent with a different role in humoral immunity and repair. In this review, I assess the evidence in favour of alternative macrophage activation in the light of macrophage heterogeneity, and define its limits and relevance to a range of immune and inflammatory conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)23-35
Number of pages13
JournalNature Reviews Immunology
Volume3
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 01 2003
Externally publishedYes

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