Effects of Macrophages on the Development of Oral Leukoplakia
10.13471/j.cnki.j.sun.yat-sen.univ（med.sci）.2025.0208
- VernacularTitle:巨噬细胞对口腔白斑病发展的影响
- Author:
Yiqun JIA
1
;
Yuyan ZHENG
1
Author Information
1. Stomatology Center，The First Affiliated Hospital， Southern University of Science and Technology //The Second Clinical Medical College，Jinan University//Shenzhen People's Hospital， Shenzhen 518020， China
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
oral medicine;
macrophages;
oral leukoplakia;
immunoregulation;
malignant transformation;
polarization
- From:
Journal of Sun Yat-sen University(Medical Sciences)
2025;46(2):245-256
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Oral leukoplakia is a potentially malignant mucosal disease with a high incidence rate. Macrophages play a significant regulatory role in the malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia， yet there is a lack of research on the molecular mechanisms underlying this process. Recent studies have found that M2 polarization of macrophages has a significant impact on the malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia， and this process is regulated by a complex network involving immune cells， microorganisms， cytokines， and the extracellular matrix， etc. Therefore， this article reviews the biological functions， subtypes， and regulatory factors of macrophage polarization in oral leukoplakia. Building on the preliminary research foundation of our group on the relationship between oral intracellular colonizing bacteria and mucosal malignant tumors， it is proposed that oral intracellular colonizing bacteria， such as Porphyromonas gingivalis， may promote the malignant transformation of leukoplakia by inducing a macrophage M2 polarization that leads to an immunosuppressive microenvironment. This perspective explores potential intervention strategies from the angle of macrophage polarization， providing new research directions for the prevention and treatment of oral leukoplakia and oral cancer.
