The Diversity of Macrophage in Inflammation and Cancer

Macrophages are essential innate immune cells involved in tissue homeostasis, immune regulation, and disease progression. While traditionally classified as pro-inflammatory M1-like or anti-inflammatory M2-like subtypes, recent single-cell studies reveal a spectrum of macrophage phenotypes shaped by dynamic tissue microenvironments, especially in inflammation and cancer. The limitations of the M1/M2 model and in vitro systems highlight the need to better understand macrophage plasticity in vivo.

This Research Topic aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind macrophage diversity using advanced techniques such as single-cell omics and spatial transcriptomics. We invite original research, reviews, and methodological studies addressing:

- The phenotypic and functional diversity of macrophages in various tissues
- Microenvironmental cues, cytokines, and metabolites driving macrophage polarization
- Regulatory pathways and transcription factors underlying macrophage plasticity
- Roles of macrophage diversity in inflammation, cancer, and therapy resistance
- Innovative technologies for studying macrophage heterogeneity

We especially welcome interdisciplinary submissions offering mechanistic insights, translational relevance, or novel methods to advance the understanding of macrophage biology in health and disease.