KÜBRA BAŞOL BAKİ, MUKADDES EŞREFOĞLU
Medical Research Reports - 2025;8(2):127-139
Macrophages, key players of the mononuclear phagocytic system, are essential for maintaining the body’s defense mechanisms. Renowned for their robust phagocytic activity and efficient antigen presentation, these versatile cells extend their influence beyond immunity, playing pivotal roles in tissue development, repair, and homeostasis. As a highly heterogeneous group, macrophages adapt to the specific needs of different tissues, earning distinct names across various organs. They can polarize into two major phenotypes: classically activated (pro-inflammatory) macrophages and alternatively activated (anti-inflammatory) macrophages. Regulating inflammatory responses by controlling macrophage polarization may be effective in preventing and treating many diseases associated with macrophages. In this review, the origins, microscopic and functional properties, types, labeling methods and clinical importance of macrophages are discussed.
