Alveolar macrophages (AMs) play an essential role in ventilator‑induced lung injury (VILI). Exosomes and their cargo, including microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) serve as regulators of the intercellular communications between macrophages and epithelial cells (ECs), and are involved in maintaining homeostasis in lung tissue. The present study found that exosomes released by ECs subjected to cyclic stretching promoted M2 macrophage polarization. It was demonstrated that miR‑21a‑5p, upregulated in epithelial‑derived exosomes, increased the percentage of M2 macrophages by suppressing the expression of Notch2 and the suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1). The overexpression of Notch2 decreased the percentage of M2 macrophages. However, these effects were reversed by the downregulation of SOCS1. The percentage of M2 macrophages was increased in both short‑term high‑ and low‑tidal‑volume mechanical ventilation, and the administration of exosomes‑derived from cyclically stretched ECs had the same function. However, the administration of miR‑21a‑5p antagomir decreased M2 macrophage activation induced by cyclically stretched ECs or ventilation. Thus, the present study demonstrates that the intercellular transferring of exosomes from ECs to AMs promotes M2 macrophage polarization. Exosomes may prove to be a novel treatment for VILI.
Keywords: M2 macrophage; Notch2; SOCS1; exosome; mechanical ventilation.