Skip to main content

Macrophage Polarization

Meaning

Macrophage polarization is the dynamic process by which macrophages, a type of immune cell, differentiate into distinct functional phenotypes in response to microenvironmental cues. These phenotypes are typically categorized as M1 (classically activated, pro-inflammatory) or M2 (alternatively activated, anti-inflammatory and tissue-repairing). This shift is critical in hormonal health, as the balance of M1/M2 macrophages in tissues like adipose tissue or the ovaries profoundly influences chronic inflammation, insulin sensitivity, and reproductive function. Understanding this polarization is key to addressing metabolic and endocrine pathologies.