Guest Editors
Prof. Dr. Yu Hsiang Kuan
Email: kuanyh@csmu.edu.tw
Affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, 40201, Taiwan; Department of Pharmacy, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 40201, Taiwan
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Research Interests: Inflammation, genotoxicity, apoptosis, phytomedicine, health nutrition, and cellular signalling
Summary
Macrophages are vital components of the innate immune system, essential for maintaining homeostasis, defending the host, and aiding tissue repair. Their ability to adopt various phenotypes in response to environmental signals makes them key players in many physiological and pathological processes. Recent advancements in molecular biology have improved our understanding of their roles in immune regulation and metabolic processes. This underscores the potential of macrophages as therapeutic targets for diseases such as chronic inflammation, autoimmunity, cancer, and infections.
Despite significant progress, challenges remain in understanding the molecular mechanisms of macrophage-mediated immunoregulation and pathophysiology. The complex interactions between macrophages and their microenvironment, along with their varying roles in health and disease, pose obstacles for researchers. Key questions about macrophage subtype functions, their epigenetic regulation, and the pathways driving their plasticity remain. Additionally, the lack of standardized models for studying macrophage heterogeneity complicates translational research efforts. Key areas of focus include:
· Mechanisms of macrophage polarization and regulation in the physiological or disease state.
· Signaling pathways in inflammation and immunity involving macrophages in the physiological or disease state.
· Metabolic reprogramming of macrophages and its functional implications in the physiological or disease state.
· Roles of macrophages in the tumor microenvironment and infectious diseases.
Keywords
Macrophage; Polarization; Inflammation; Immunity; Tumor microenvironment; Infectious diseases
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