Mechanosensitivity of macrophage polarization: comparing small molecule leukadherin-1 to substrate stiffness.

ABSTRACT: Macrophages sustain tissue homeostasis through host defense and wound repair. To promote host defense, macrophages upregulate surface markers associated with antigen processing and secrete pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-6 and IL-1β. After pathogen clearance, macrophages shift phenotype to promote wound repair. Shifts in phenotypes are termed "polarization" and have historically been modeled by exposure to soluble mediators such as LPS+IFNγ (host defense) or IL-4+IL-13 (tissue repair). Greater emphasis is now being placed on understanding how the mechanical environment of macrophages, such as tissue compliance, regulates macrophages responses. Here, we compare incubation of primary macrophages on collagen-coated silica gels of varying stiffness to treatment with the small molecule in

SUBMITTER: Joshi H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11922956 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature