# Dialogues in Immunity: The Interplay Between Neutrophils and Macrophages

**Authors:** Eduardo Anitua, María Troya, Mohammad H. Alkhraisat

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines14030520 · Biomedicines · 2026-02-26

## TL;DR

Neutrophils and macrophages work together in immunity, but their imbalance can cause disease, requiring precise therapeutic strategies.

## Contribution

The paper emphasizes the need for nuanced therapeutic approaches to modulate neutrophil–macrophage interactions.

## Key findings

- Neutrophils and macrophages have complementary roles in immunity and inflammation.
- Aging and microbiota changes disrupt immune balance, contributing to inflammaging.
- Precision strategies are needed to target these cells without compromising immune defense.

## Abstract

Cooperation between neutrophils and macrophages is essential to innate immunity. Though they share origins, their distinct roles make them complementary in fighting pathogens and regulating inflammation. However, dysregulation can drive chronic inflammation and autoimmune disease, making therapeutic targeting highly challenging. Broad suppression of these cells is risky; instead, precision strategies are needed to modulate their dual roles in promoting and resolving inflammation. Aging further complicates this balance, as impaired neutrophil and macrophage functions—alongside microbiota alterations—contribute to inflammaging and immune dysfunction. Recent advances in technology offer opportunities to explore these interactions in physiologically relevant contexts, paving the way for targeted interventions that restore immune homeostasis without compromising defense mechanisms. This article highlights the need for nuanced approaches to harness neutrophil–macrophage cooperation for therapeutic benefit.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** autoimmune disease (MONDO:0007179)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** immune dysfunction (MESH:D007154), inflammation (MESH:D007249), autoimmune disease (MESH:D001327)

## Full text

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## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13023959/full.md

## References

61 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13023959/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13023959