title: Macrophage polarization in metabolic disorders: functions and regulation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss recent findings on the role and regulation of macrophage polarization in obesity and atherosclerosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Macrophages infiltrate the vascular wall during atherosclerosis and adipose tissue during obesity. At least two distinct subpopulations with different functions, the classically (M1) and the alternatively (M2) activated macrophages, have been found in these tissues. Reciprocal skewing of macrophage polarization between the M1 and M2 states is a process modulated by diet, humoral and transcription factors, such as the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recent literature highlights the importance not only of the number of infiltrated macrophages, but also their activation in the maintenance of the inflammation state. Identifying mechanisms and molecules able to modify the balance between M1 and M2 represents a promising field of research.
authors.affiliation: Univ Lille Nord de France, Inserm, U1011, Lille, France.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chinetti-Gbaguidi
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Staels
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000276:immunology*