The role of autophagy and macrophage polarization in the processes of chronic inflammation and regeneration

Abstract

The cause of many seriousillnesses, including diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases is chronic inflammation that develops in adipose tissue, bones or the brain. This inflammation occurs due to a shift in the polarization of macrophages/microglia towards the pro-inflammatory phenotype M1. It has now been proven that the polarization of macrophages is determined by the intracellular level of autophagy in the macrophage. By modulating autophagy, it is possible to cause switching of macrophage activities towards M1 or M2. Summarizing the material accumulated in the literature, we believe that the activation of autophagy reprograms the macrophage towards M2, replacing its protein content, receptor apparatus and including a different type of metabolism. The term reprogramming is most suitable for this process, since it is followed by a change in the functional activity of the macrophage, namely, switching from cytotoxic pro-inflammatory activity to anti-inflammatory (regenerative). Modulation of autophagy can be an approach to the treatment of oncological diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, osteoporosis, diabetes and other serious diseases.