title: Inflammatory signaling in macrophages: transitions from acute to tolerant and alternative activation states.
abstract: Acute inflammatory activation of macrophages by Toll-like and related receptors is characterized by transient activation of MAPK-, NF-κB- and IRF-mediated signaling pathways and expression of pro-inflammatory genes. This activation state is inherently unstable and often transitions into a state of 'tolerance' characterized by diminished signaling, repressive chromatin modifications, and an alternative gene expression program. This Viewpoint describes signaling and epigenetic mechanisms associated with transition to tolerant states, which are proposed to correspond to alternative activation states programmed by the original inflammatory stimuli.
authors.affiliation: Arthritis and Tissue Degeneration Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10010, USA. ivashkivl@hss.edu
authors.forename: Lionel B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Ivashkiv
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000276:immunology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000235:genetics; D007249:Inflammation; D050835:Interferon Regulatory Factors / Q000276:immunology*; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D050835:Interferon Regulatory Factors; D016328:NF-kappa B; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases