The Role of Small Rho GTPases Rac1 and Rac2 in Macrophage Polarization

Macrophages are phagocytic cells of hematopoietic origin. They play an important role in both the adaptive and innate immune systems. Macrophages are able to polarize into either M1 or M2 macrophages based on their microenvironment. M1 macrophages are proinflammatory cells that are key regulators of the immune response but are also known to cause tissue damage and destruction. M2 macrophages are anti-inflammatory involved in wound healing. The key functional differences between these two cell types remains to be fully characterized. The Rac members of the Rho family of small GTPases are known to be regulators of macrophage functions however their roles in M1 and M2 macrophages is unknown. We have shown that M1 macrophages produce more ROS and NO compared to M2 cells. We found differences in morphological as well as functional features of M1 and M2 macrophages, which have important implications in their role in the immune response.M.Sc