简介

Macrophages play an important role in host defense against invading micro-organisms and they are also key players in initiating and maintaining an immune response. However, macrophages can also play negative roles, such as in chronic inflammatory diseases. Also, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), which are present in large numbers in many tumors, appear to play an important role in promoting the progression of solid tumors to an invasive, metastatic phenotype. Macrophages are therefore a prime target for therapies, but it is important to elucidate the mechanisms by which they are recruited to and activated in tissues.