title: Alternatively activated macrophages during parasite infections.
abstract: Depending on the cytokine environment, macrophages can differentiate into distinct subsets that perform specific immunological roles. In this regard, the functions of macrophages activated by interferon gamma, referred to as classically activated macrophages, have been extensively documented, particularly during immune responses to infection. Recently, it was recognized that macrophages exposed to cytokines generated by T helper cell type 2 (Th2) cells exert an alternative activation program. However, the nature and functions of alternatively activated macrophages are ill defined. Evidence for the presence of alternatively activated macrophages and their possible influence in the outcome of several parasite diseases are discussed here.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Interactions, Flemish Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology, Free University of Brussels (VIB-VUB), Building E, Floor 8, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Noël
authors.forename: Geert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Raes
authors.forename: Gholamreza
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hassanzadeh Ghassabeh
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Baetselier
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beschin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006373:Helminthiasis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011506:Proteins; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011506:Proteins; C486574:RETNLB protein, human; C413576:Retnla protein, mouse; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor