Preface

Macrophages are ubiquitous and an integrated part of both innate and adaptive immunity. These cells have been explored as extensive research tools in different contexts. Macrophages display a range of plasticity in their phenotype in different pathological conditions. Peripheral and tissue macrophages together constitute the reticuloendothelial system where they play a major role in sensing pathogens and tumor antigens for their effective eradication. Compared to various immune cells, macrophages display a range of plasticity that qualifies them as one of the potential target cells of the body for the clinical management of various human diseases. Due to their plastic nature, these cells are potentially involved in most immunological and physiological responses.

Several research groups, including ours, have demonstrated several MDR/XTR bacteria polarize M1 effector alveolar macrophages towards their M2 phenotype during their persistent infection. This seems to be the potential link to the sensitization for infection and maybe for development of cancer in a host

The current mandate of research in the macrophages immunobiology field mainly lies in the management of the M1/M2 imbalance to minimize the risk of cancer by chronic and persistent lung infection with intracellular pathogens like Chlamydia or Mycobacteria. This may be achieved by targeting major signaling pathways that drive the M2 phenotype and are involved in cancer development e.g. Sphingolipids, Th2/Th17 responses.

In view of the above, the major focus of this book is to discuss research methodologies, resources, and technologies from the dedicated biological community for identifying the molecular signature involved in the polarization of M1 effector macrophages to M2 during disease. Under the umbrella of this topic, the second major scope of this book is to explore how selective phenotypes of macrophages would improve existing therapies, especially on infection and cancer interface with special emphasis on lung cancers and various gastric inflammatory diseases like IBD, which are responsible for global mortality.

> **Hridayesh Prakash** Associate Professor, Amity Institute of Virology and Immunology, Amity University, Noida, India

**1**

Section 1

Macrophage in Tumor

Control

### Section 1
