About this Research Topic
Macrophages are important players in the immune pathogenesis of a large range of diseases, from autoimmune to allergic diseases and cancer. In a type 1 immune dominated environment, macrophages are polarized towards an inflammatory phenotype and in a type 2 dominated milieu macrophages are polarized towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype (alternatively activated macrophages). MicroRNAs (miR) are short non-coding RNAs involved in regulating immunological responses by regulating gene expression, repressing their translation into proteins. Each miR could bind to and suppress the expression of several different miRNAs. miRs are released by different types of cells and could influence the activity of target cells e.g. macrophages are polarized by exogenous miRs towards type 1 or type 2 macrophages.
Macrophages modulate immune responses in different diseases, one way, more and more explored, via releasing miRs. miRs could be transferred from macrophages to other cell types via extracellular vesicles, influencing their phenotype and functions. The miR macrophage involvement was proved in various human diseases from haematologic malignancies and disorders, solid tumors, to allergy, asthma and autoimmune diseases. The down-regulation or the over-expression of miRs could be shaped by strategies that have been developed recently such as administration of miR-mimics or, on the contrary, miR-inhibitors (anti-miR therapy). Although animal studies are helpful in examining the role of miR in immune diseases, these studies do not always reflect the situation in humans.
This Research Topic will provide knowledge on the role of macrophage miR in inflammatory diseases and cancer where monocytes/macrophages play an important role in their pathogenesis. We welcome the submission of Review, Mini-Review and Original Research articles covering, but not limited to, the following topics:
1) miR-mediated regulation of macrophage plasticity and polarization.
2) Macrophage miR regulation of asthma.
3) miR-mediated regulation of the inflammatory response pathway in macrophages.
4) Role of macrophage miR in tumor progression.
Macrophages modulate immune responses in different diseases, one way, more and more explored, via releasing miRs. miRs could be transferred from macrophages to other cell types via extracellular vesicles, influencing their phenotype and functions. The miR macrophage involvement was proved in various human diseases from haematologic malignancies and disorders, solid tumors, to allergy, asthma and autoimmune diseases. The down-regulation or the over-expression of miRs could be shaped by strategies that have been developed recently such as administration of miR-mimics or, on the contrary, miR-inhibitors (anti-miR therapy). Although animal studies are helpful in examining the role of miR in immune diseases, these studies do not always reflect the situation in humans.
This Research Topic will provide knowledge on the role of macrophage miR in inflammatory diseases and cancer where monocytes/macrophages play an important role in their pathogenesis. We welcome the submission of Review, Mini-Review and Original Research articles covering, but not limited to, the following topics:
1) miR-mediated regulation of macrophage plasticity and polarization.
2) Macrophage miR regulation of asthma.
3) miR-mediated regulation of the inflammatory response pathway in macrophages.
4) Role of macrophage miR in tumor progression.
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
