Estrogen receptor-alpha promotes alternative macrophage activation during cutaneous repair.

Laura Campbell, Elaine Emmerson, Helen Williams, Charis R Saville, Andrée Krust, Pierre Chambon, Kimberly A Mace, Matthew J Hardman, Rachel Anne Crompton

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Efficient local monocyte/macrophage recruitment is critical for tissue repair. Recruited macrophages are polarized toward classical (proinflammatory) or alternative (prohealing) activation in response to cytokines, with tight temporal regulation crucial for efficient wound repair. Estrogen acts as a potent anti-inflammatory regulator of cutaneous healing. However, an understanding of estrogen/estrogen receptor (ER) contribution to macrophage polarization and subsequent local effects on wound healing is lacking. Here we identify, to our knowledge previously unreported, a role whereby estrogen receptor α (ERα) signaling preferentially polarizes macrophages from a range of sources to an alternative phenotype. Cell-specific ER ablation studies confirm an in vivo role for inflammatory cell ERα, but not ERβ, in poor healing associated with an altered cytokine profile and fewer alternatively activated macrophages. Furthermore, we reveal intrinsic changes in ERα-deficient macrophages, which are unable to respond to alternative activation signals in vitro. Collectively, our data reveal that inflammatory cell-expressed ERα promotes alternative macrophage polarization, which is beneficial for timely healing. Given the diverse physiological roles of ERs, these findings will likely be of relevance to many pathologies involving excessive inflammation.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)2447-2457
    Number of pages10
    JournalThe Journal of investigative dermatology
    Volume134
    Issue number9
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Sept 2014

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