ijms-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Macrophage Plasticity: Beyond the M1–M2 Paradigm

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Immunology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 35

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health and Society, Malmö University, 205 06 Malmö, Sweden
Interests: macrophage; plasticity; microenvironment; polarization; epigenetic modulation; phagocytosis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Macrophages are highly versatile immune cells whose plasticity enables them to adopt a wide range of functional states in response to microenvironmental cues. The classical dichotomy of macrophage polarization into M0 (non-polarized), M1 (pro-inflammatory), and M2 (anti-inflammatory) states has long served as a foundational framework in immunology. However, emerging evidence increasingly suggests that this model oversimplifies the complex and dynamic nature of macrophage biology.

In vivo, macrophages display a broad spectrum of phenotypes, often co-expressing markers traditionally associated with both M1 and M2 states. This phenotypic diversity reflects a continuum of activation states shaped by factors such as cytokine milieu, tissue-specific signals, metabolic status, and epigenetic modifications. These findings underscore the need to move beyond rigid classifications toward a more nuanced understanding of macrophage function.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the plasticity and multifaceted roles of macrophages in health and disease. We welcome original research articles and reviews that explore novel macrophage subtypes, previously unrecognized functions, and the mechanisms by which macrophages modulate immune responses. We invite contributions that challenge existing paradigms and expand our understanding of macrophage biology in both physiological and pathological contexts. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The plasticity and heterogeneity of macrophage subtypes
  • Microenvironmental influences on macrophage polarization and metabolism
  • Epigenetic regulation and innate immune memory in macrophages
  • Macrophage lineage tracing and the distinction between monocyte-derived and tissue-resident macrophages
  • Functional comparisons between macrophages and tissue-resident macrophages
  • Mechanisms of phagocytosis and the phagosomal pathway

Prof. Dr. Håkan Eriksson
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • macrophage
  • plasticity
  • microenvironment
  • polarization
  • epigenetic modulation
  • phagocytosis

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
Back to TopTop