Preprint / Version 1

Macrophage repolarization: different strategies as therapies for pathologies

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62059/mynp3p95

Keywords:

Macrophages, repolarization, Therapeutic, strategies

Abstract

The functional plasticity of macrophages enables these cells to adopt proinflammatory, antimicrobial, reparative, or immunosuppressive profiles depending on microenvironmental signals. Although the M1/M2 classification remains useful as a conceptual framework, these phenotypes are currently understood as part of a dynamic continuum influenced by tissue context, stimuli, and pathological conditions. This review analyzes recent strategies aimed at modulating macrophage repolarization for therapeutic purposes in oncological, infectious, inflammatory, and tissue repair-related diseases. The approaches discussed include physicochemical platforms, enzymatic and metabolic interventions, gene therapy, and immunomodulators of biological or plant origin. Collectively, these strategies act on central processes such as redox balance, hypoxia, inflammatory signaling, and immunometabolism, with the aim of reversing pathological microenvironments or promoting the resolution of inflammation. The available evidence, mainly preclinical, suggests that macrophage repolarization represents a promising therapeutic approach; however, its clinical application requires further optimization of cellular selectivity, safety, dosing, and validation in translational models.

References

1. Janeway CA, Medzhitov R. Innate immune recognition. Annu Rev Immunol 2002 [cited 2026 Jan 18];20:197–216. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11861602/

2. Akira S, Uematsu S, Takeuchi O. Pathogen recognition and innate immunity. Cell 2006 Feb 24 [cited 2026 Jan 18];124(4):783–801. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16497588/

3. Takeuchi O, Akira S. Pattern Recognition Receptors and Inflammation. Cell [Internet]. 2010 [cited 2026 Jan 18];140(6):805–20. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20303872/

4. Kawai T, Akira S. The role of pattern-recognition receptors in innate immunity: update on Toll-like receptors. Nature Immunology 2010 11:5 [Internet]. 2010 Apr 20 [cited 2026 Jan 18];11(5):373–84. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/ni.1863

5. Ricklin D, Reis ES, Lambris JD. Complement in disease: a defence system turning offensive. Nature Reviews Nephrology 2016 12:7 [Internet]. 2016 May 23 [cited 2026 Jan 18];12(7):383–401. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/nrneph.2016.70

6. Ricklin D, Hajishengallis G, Yang K, Lambris JD. Complement: a key system for immune surveillance and homeostasis. Nat Immunol [Internet]. 2010 Sep [cited 2026 Jan 18];11(9):785–97. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20720586/

7. Ginhoux F, Guilliams M. Tissue-Resident Macrophage Ontogeny and Homeostasis. Immunity [Internet]. 2016 Mar 15 [cited 2026 Jan 18];44(3):439–49. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26982352/

8. Guilliams M, Ginhoux F, Jakubzick C, Naik SH, Onai N, Schraml BU, et al. Dendritic cells, monocytes and macrophages: a unified nomenclature based on ontogeny. Nat Rev Immunol [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2026 Jan 18];14(8):571–8. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25033907/

9. Hoeffel G, Ginhoux F. Ontogeny of Tissue-Resident Macrophages. Front Immunol [Internet]. 2015 [cited 2026 Jan 18];6(SEP). Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26441990/

10. Murray PJ, Allen JE, Biswas SK, Fisher EA, Gilroy DW, Goerdt S, et al. Macrophage Activation and Polarization: Nomenclature and Experimental Guidelines. Immunity [Internet]. 2014 Jul 17 [cited 2026 Jan 18];41(1):14–20. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25035950/

11. Serhan CN, Chiang N, Dalli J, Levy BD. Lipid mediators in the resolution of inflammation. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2026 Jan 18];7(2). Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25359497/

12. Zhang M, Zhang R, Dong Y, Liu J, Gao Z, Zhou X, et al. Oxygen supplementation liposomes for rheumatoid arthritis treatment via synergistic phototherapy and repolarization of M1-to-M2 macrophages. Chemical Engineering Journal [Internet]. 2023 Mar 1 [cited 2026 Jan 18];459:141484. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1385894723002152

13. Zhao H, Du F, Huang J, Guo R, Feng Z, Wang Z, et al. Biomimetic liposomal nanovesicles remodel the tumor immune microenvironment to augment sono-immunotherapy. Journal of Controlled Release [Internet]. 2025 Jul 10 [cited 2026 Jan 18];383:113830. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016836592500450X

14. Yang Y, Huang S, Ma Q, Li N, Li R, Wang Y, et al. Combined therapeutic strategy based on blocking the deleterious effects of AGEs for accelerating diabetic wound healing. Regen Biomater [Internet]. 2024 Jan 2 [cited 2026 Jan 18];11. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/rb/rbae062

15. Bianconi S, Leppik L, Oppermann E, Marzi I, Henrich D. Direct Current Electrical Stimulation Shifts THP-1-Derived Macrophage Polarization towards Pro-Regenerative M2 Phenotype. Int J Mol Sci [Internet]. 2024 Jul 1 [cited 2026 Jan 18];25(13):7272. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/13/7272/htm

16. Zou YM, Li RT, Yu L, Huang T, Peng J, Meng W, et al. Reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment using a PCN-224@IrNCs/D-Arg nanoplatform for the synergistic PDT, NO, and radiosensitization therapy of breast cancer and improving anti-tumor immunity. Nanoscale [Internet]. 2023 Jun 30 [cited 2026 Jan 18];15(25):10715–29. Available from: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2023/nr/d3nr01050c

17. Jia YP, Shi K, Dai LQ, He XL, Deng HZ, Han RX, et al. Gold Nanorods and Polymer Micelles Mediated Dual TLR Stimulators Delivery System CPG@Au NRs/M-R848 Regulate Macrophages Reprogramming and DC Maturation for Enhanced Photothermal Immunotherapy of Melanoma. Small Methods [Internet]. 2023 May 19 [cited 2026 Jan 18];7(5):2201087. Available from: /doi/pdf/10.1002/smtd.202201087

18. Zhang Q, Jiang Y, Zhang X, Wang Y, Ju R, Wei G. Injectable and Near-Infrared Light-Controllable Fibrin Hydrogels with Antimicrobial and Immunomodulating Properties for Infected Wound Healing. Biomater Res [Internet]. 2024 Jun 27 [cited 2026 Jan 18];28. Available from: /doi/pdf/10.34133/bmr.0019?download=true

19. Palomino-Cano C, Moreno E, Irache JM, Espuelas S. Targeting and activation of macrophages in leishmaniasis. A focus on iron oxide nanoparticles. Front Immunol. 2024 Aug 15;15:1437430.

20. Qiu Q, Li C, Song Y, Shi T, Luo X, Zhang H, et al. Targeted delivery of ibrutinib to tumor-associated macrophages by sialic acid-stearic acid conjugate modified nanocomplexes for cancer immunotherapy. Acta Biomater [Internet]. 2019 Jul 1 [cited 2026 Jan 18];92:184–95. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1742706119303575?via%3Dihub

21. Chen J, Ma Y, Fan B, Shi N, Sun Y, Zhou X, et al. Targeted inhibition of METTL3 reprograms alveolar echinococcosis progression: attenuating ferroptosis by downregulating ACSL4 and reversing macrophage M2 polarization. Int Immunopharmacol [Internet]. 2025 Dec 10 [cited 2026 Jan 18];167:115660. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1567576925016510?via%3Dihub

22. Liao ZX, Ou DL, Hsieh MJ, Hsieh CC. Synergistic Effect of Repolarization of M2 to M1 Macrophages Induced by Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Combined with Lactate Oxidase. International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2021, Vol 22, Page 13346 [Internet]. 2021 Dec 12 [cited 2026 Jan 18];22(24):13346. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/24/13346/htm

23. Guo N, Wu Q, Gan H, Chen Y, Ran M, Chen J, et al. MnO2 nanozyme boosts synergistic photodynamic/photothermal therapy of bacterial biofilm infections. Chemical Engineering Journal [Internet]. 2024 Nov 1 [cited 2026 Jan 18];499:156172. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1385894724076630

24. Zhang Y, Chu B, Fan Q, Song X, Xu Q, Qu Y. M2-type macrophage-targeted delivery of IKKβ siRNA induces M2-to-M1 repolarization for CNV gene therapy. Nanomedicine [Internet]. 2024 Apr 1 [cited 2026 Jan 18];57:102740. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1549963424000091

25. Jürgens DC, Winkeljann B, Kolog Gulko M, Jin Y, Möller J, Winkeljann J, et al. Efficient and Targeted siRNA Delivery to M2 Macrophages by Smart Polymer Blends for M1 Macrophage Repolarization as a Promising Strategy for Future Cancer Treatment. ACS Biomater Sci Eng [Internet]. 2023 Jan 8 [cited 2026 Jan 18];10(1):166–77. Available from: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsbiomaterials.3c01595

26. Rodriguez-Perdigon M, Jimaja S, Haeni L, Bruns N, Rothen-Rutishauser B, Rüegg C. Polymersomes-Mediated Delivery of CSF1R Inhibitor to Tumor Associated Macrophages Promotes M2 to M1-Like Macrophage Repolarization. Macromol Biosci [Internet]. 2022 Aug 1 [cited 2026 Jan 18];22(8):2200168. Available from: /doi/pdf/10.1002/mabi.202200168

27. Yang L, Chen T, Huang Y, Yang Y, Cheng X, Wei F. hnRNPA2B1 promotes the production of exosomal miR-103-3p from endothelial progenitor cells to alleviate macrophage M1 polarization in acute respiratory distress syndrome. Int Immunopharmacol [Internet]. 2025 Jun 17 [cited 2026 Jan 18];158. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40381491/

28. Smuts H, Ibrahim M. Investigating the in vitro cellular effects of small peptides on glucose uptake, inflammation, and lipid accumulation [Internet]. University of Pretoria; 2024 [cited 2026 Jan 18]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/2263/99903

29. Zhu H, Tong S, Yan C, Zhou A, Wang M, Li C. Triptolide attenuates LPS-induced activation of RAW 264.7 macrophages by inducing M1-to-M2 repolarization via the mTOR/STAT3 signaling. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2026 Jan 18];44(6):894–901. Available from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08923973.2022.2093738

30. Peng X, Yu S, Xu L, Wang Q, Yang L, Su Y, et al. Discovery of Hydrazineyl Amide Derivative of Pseudolaric Acid B for Reprogramming Tumor-Associated Macrophages Against Tumor Growth. Molecules [Internet]. 2025 May 1 [cited 2026 Jan 18];30(10):2088. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12114375/

31. Fu J, Liu Z, Feng Z, Huang J, Shi J, Wang K, et al. Platycodon grandiflorum exosome-like nanoparticles: the material basis of fresh platycodon grandiflorum optimality and its mechanism in regulating acute lung injury. J Nanobiotechnology [Internet]. 2025 Dec 1 [cited 2026 Jan 18];23(1). Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40186259/

32. Zhang W, Li L, Wu Y, Li C, Xu Z, Zhang N, et al. Biomimetic Iron-Based Nanoparticles Remodel Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment for Metabolic Immunotherapy. Int J Nanomedicine [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2026 Jan 18];19:9333–49. Available from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.2147/IJN.S473463

33. Wang X, Zhao C, Zhang G, Zhang K, Li Z, Shang Y, et al. Molecular characterization of a novel GSTO2 of Fasciola hepatica and its roles in modulating murine macrophages. Parasite [Internet]. 2022 Mar 22 [cited 2026 Jan 18];29:16. doi:10.1051/parasite/2022016

34. Valdes-Fernandez BN, Ruiz-Jimenez C, Armina-Rodriguez A, Mendez LB, Espino AM. Fasciola hepatica GST mu-class suppresses the cytokine storm induced by E. coli-lipopolysaccharide, whereas it modulates the dynamic of peritoneal macrophages in a mouse model and suppresses the classical activation of macrophages. Microbiol Spectr [Internet]. 2024 Jan 11 [cited 2026 Jan 18];12(1):e0347523. doi:10.1128/spectrum.03475-23.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Status: Under review in Revista Argentina de Medicina

RAM is a quarterly publication edited and financed by the Argentine Society of Medicine aimed at disseminating biomedical, epidemiological and social scientific topics related to the following branches of clinical medicine: bioethics, cardiology, critical care, palliative care, dermatology, pain, education, emergentology, endocrinology, epidemiology, pharmacology and…

Downloads

Posted

2026-08-27