A review of regulatory effects of radiation on the polarization and functions of macrophages / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

ABSTRACT

Macrophages, as regulatory cells existing in all tissues, exhibit complex responses to radiation stimulation, including both common processes in response to infection and injury and unique polarization transformation. Radiation-related polarization determines the functional types of macrophages. After being exposed to different irradiations, macrophages are regulated by different cytokines, involving multiple signaling pathways. This leads to differential degrees of polarization. The review summarized the regulatory effects of radiation on the polarization and functions of macrophages in order to provide basis for theoretical research on immunity and clinical radiotherapy.