ArticleBMC immunology2025
Immunological characteristics and functions of macrophages in Mycobacterium leprae infection.
Article in BMC immunology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Tissue-Resident Macrophages: Linking Physiology and Inflammation in Infection.Clinical reviews in allergy & immunology · 2026Review
- The Pathogenic Role of T Cell Metabolism and its Effect on Immune Senescence in Autoimmune Diseases and Infection.Clinical reviews in allergy & immunology · 2025Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveOur research aimed to clarify the roles of M1 and M2 macrophages in leprosy, focusing on their polarization states, phagocytic capacities, and the survival of M. leprae within these macrophage subsets.
methodsM1-like macrophages were induced by IFN-γ, IL-4 induced M2-like macrophages, and then they were compared with M. leprae-induced macrophages regarding cell-surface antigen expression and cytokine secretion. The phagocytic capabilities of M1-like and M2-like cells were assessed using a laser-scanning confocal microscope. Simultaneously, their bactericidal capacities were evaluated by 16S rRNA/RLEP qPCR to determine the viability of M. leprae.
resultsM1-like macrophages induced by IFN-γ were characterized by CD86 and CD68 expression and an elevated expression of the IRF-5 gene. In contrast, M2-like macrophages induced by IL-4 were distinguished by enhanced expression of CD163 and CD206 markers and the upregulation of the IRF-4 gene. M. leprae-induced macrophages encompass CD86⁺CD68⁺(M1 markers ) and CD163⁺CD206⁺( M2 markers ) subpopulations, potentially displaying characteristics of both M1-like and M2-like phenotypes. M1-like macrophages secreted Th1 cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-15, and TNF-α, whereas M2-like macrophages secreted IL-10 and TGF-β. At different stages, macrophages induced by M. leprae released Th1 and Th2 cytokines. The phagocytic ability of M2-like macrophages exceeded that of M1-like macrophages. Nevertheless, M. leprae viability was notably higher in M2-like macrophages, indicating a weaker sterilizing capacity than in M1-like macrophages. Conversely, M1-like macrophages demonstrated potent bactericidal activity, although their phagocytic ability was relatively lower than that of M2-like macrophages.
conclusionOur findings suggested the notable significance of macrophage polarization in leprosy. M1 macrophages exhibited a relatively strong bactericidal effect against M. leprae, while M2 macrophages might have been somewhat associated with pathogen persistence.
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