Metabolic Hormones Modulate Macrophage Inflammatory Responses

Abstract

Macrophages are phagocytotic leukocytes that play an important role in the innate immune response and have established roles in metabolic diseases and cancer progression. Increased adiposity in obese individuals leads to dysregulation of many hormones including those whose functions are to coordinate metabolism. Recent evidence suggests additional roles of these metabolic hormones in modulating macrophage inflammatory responses. In this review, we highlight key metabolic hormones and summarise their influence on the inflammatory response of macrophages and consider how, in turn, these hormones may influence the development of different cancer types through the modulation of macrophage functions.

Keywords: TAMs; cancer; hormones; inflammation; macrophages; metabolism; obesity; polarisation.

Figure 1

Schematic summarising (A) the classical functions of metabolic hormones in a healthy individual, and (B) how these hormones can modulate macrophage inflammatory responses when potentially dysregulated in an obese state. Red arrows indicate proinflammatory actions, blue arrows indicate anti-inflammatory actions. This figure was created with Biorender.com.

Figure 2

Schematic illustrating the links this review will explore (red arrows) between potential metabolic hormone dysregulation, macrophage inflammatory responses and cancer development. This figure was created with Biorender.com.

Figure 3

Schematic summarising the potential intracellular signalling mechanisms by which metabolic hormones affect macrophage inflammatory responses. This figure was created with Biorender.com.