Monocytes/macrophages are highly involved in the process of renal injury, repair and fibrosis in many aspects of experimental and human renal diseases. Monocyte-derived macrophages, characterized by high heterogeneity and plasticity, are recruited, activated, and polarized in the whole process of renal fibrotic diseases in response to local microenvironment. As classically activated M1 or CD11b+/Ly6Chigh macrophages accelerate renal injury by producing pro-inflammatory factors like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and interleukins, alternatively activated M2 or CD11b+/Ly6Cintermediate macrophages may contribute to kidney repair by exerting anti-inflammation and wound healing functions. However, uncontrolled M2 macrophages or CD11b+/Ly6Clow macrophages promote renal fibrosis via paracrine effects or direct transition to myofibroblast-like cells via the process of macrophage-to-myofibroblast transition (MMT). In this regard, therapeutic strategies targeting monocyte/macrophage recruitment, activation, and polarization should be emphasized in the treatment of renal fibrosis.
Keywords: Macrophage; Macrophage polarization; Macrophage-myofibroblast transition; Renal fibrosis.