147 5 General Discussion Figure 2: Graphical overview of macrophage characteristics investigated in the experimental chapters. As illustrated in Figure 2, in this thesis, macrophages have been characterized by studying: Cytokine Release: Macrophages release signaling molecules called cytokines in response to infections or inflammatory stimuli. Measuring the types and amounts of cytokines produced can provide information about the pro- or anti-inflammatory state of the macrophage. This helps to understand their functional role during an immune response. In Chapter 3, we investigated the cellular excretion of three important cytokines involved in alveolar macrophage function: IL-10, IL-6, and TNF-α. These cytokines play distinct roles in modulating macrophage activities, and their balance is crucial for determining the outcome of immune responses. IL-10 is primarily known as an anti-inflammatory cytokine; when released, it acts as a negative feedback mechanism to reduce excessive immune responses and inflammation. IL-10 suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 [27]. This helps prevent an exaggerated immune response that can lead to tissue damage and chronic inflammation. IL-10 also promotes tissue repair and the resolution of inflammation [28]. On the other hand, TNF-α is a potent
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTk4NDMw