I want to induce M1 and M2 polarization in bone marrow-derived macrophages but I've got many problems with this. I'd like to use CD206 as a marker of M2 macrophages but I do not see any fluorescence by flow cytometry. Also, I'd like to know if there is an impairment of CD11b or F480 expression because I see almost all macrophages low for this expression or some are negatives
Dear Cynthia,
I had the same problem during my PhD and there is quite a consensus about this M1-M2 polarization now - it is actually a range. You can use IL-10, CSF-1, CCL2, IL-4... many people cannot agree on this. Look up papers by authors called Siamon Gordon/David Hume/Martinez/Mantovani... there's a good review from 2014 - new insights into M1-M2 paradigm. There are just so many markers and cytokines you would have to try a panel of 4 or 5 to be sure about M1-M2 status.
I'm happy to help you further if you'd like.
Best wishes,
Teresa
As Teresa suggested, there is no clear consensus on which markers identify each subset. You would have to use a panel of 4-5 ideally. Flow cytometry might not be the best, since it is almost impossible to get CD206 staining and you might have trouble with F4/80. We tried to get around this by doing q-PCR for a few M1-M2 genes (See link below).
https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms12748/figures/4
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