Different Macrophage Type Triggering as Target of the Action of Biologically Active Substances from Marine Invertebrates

Abstract

Macrophages play a fundamental role in the immune system. Depending on the microenvironment stimuli, macrophages can acquire distinct phenotypes characterized with different sets of the markers of their functional activities. Polarization of macrophages towards M1 type (classical activation) is involved in inflammation and the related progression of diseases, while, in contrast, alternatively activated M2 macrophages are associated with the anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Reprogramming macrophages to switch their phenotypes could provide a new therapeutic strategy, and targeting the M1/M2 macrophage balance is a promising current trend in pharmacology. Marine invertebrates are a vast source of the variety of structurally diverse compounds with potent pharmacological activities. For years, a large number of studies concerning the immunomodulatory properties of the marine substances have been run with using some intracellular markers of immune stimulation or suppression irrespective of the possible application of marine compounds in reprogramming of macrophage activation, and only few reports clearly demonstrated the macrophage-polarizing activities of some marine compounds during the last decade. In this review, the data on the immunomodulating effects of the extracts and pure compounds of a variety of chemical structure from species of different classes of marine invertebrates are described with focus on their potential in shifting M1/M2 macrophage balance towards M1 or M2 phenotype.

Saponins of North Atlantic Sea Cucumber: Chemistry, Health Benefits, and Future Prospectives

“…They have also been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells by disrupting the cell cycle and inhibiting cell proliferation. In addition, cucumariosides have been shown to modulate the immune system by enhancing the activity of killer cells, thereby stimulating the production of cytokines [ 35 , 75 , 89 , 90 ].…”

Cellular crosstalk in atherosclerotic plaque microenvironment

“…M4 macrophages feature both M1 and M2 macrophages, and are induced by CXCL4 [ 38 ]. In inflammatory conditions, macrophages form M1, while polarization to M2 occurs under anti-inflammatory conditions [ 43 ]. M1 macrophages are abundant in areas prone to shoulder rupture, but M2 macrophages are found in the areas such as adventitia [ 36 , 44 ].…”

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Compounds from Echinoderms

“…Pigments from various marine organisms have been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity and can be used in the management of chronic inflammation [28,29]. For instance, Echinochrome A (EchA, a pigment isolated from sea urchin), briaviodiol A (a cembranoid from a soft coral), and cucumarioside A2 (a triterpene glycoside from sea cucumbers) have been shown to suppress inflammation via the reprogramming of macrophages from M1 to M2 [30]. Seaweeds are classically used as food supplements and have great potential as a source of anti-inflammatory compounds [31,32].…”