title: Macrophage polarization: tumor-associated macrophages as a paradigm for polarized M2 mononuclear phagocytes.
abstract: Mononuclear phagocytes are versatile cells that can express different functional programs in response to microenvironmental signals. Fully polarized M1 and M2 (or alternatively activated) macrophages are the extremes of a continuum of functional states. Macrophages that infiltrate tumor tissues are driven by tumor-derived and T cell-derived cytokines to acquire a polarized M2 phenotype. These functionally polarized cells, and similarly oriented or immature dendritic cells present in tumors, have a key role in subversion of adaptive immunity and in inflammatory circuits that promote tumor growth and progression.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via Eritrea 62, I-20157 Milan, Italy. mantovani@marionegri.it
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mantovani
authors.forename: Silvano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sozzani
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Locati
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Allavena
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sica
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D018925:Chemokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines