Macrophages commonly exist in two distinct subsets: classically activated macrophages (M1) and alternatively activated macrophages (M2). M1 macrophages can facilitate immunity to remove foreign pathogens and tumor cells, mediate tissue damage, impair wound healing and tissue regeneration. A better understanding of the molecular pathways and transcriptional programs associated with M1 macrophage subtypes, as well as reliable markers, is necessary for further progress in the M1 macrophage field. Creative Biolabs is well-equipped and versed in the identification of M1 macrophages based on our clients' requirements. We are glad to serve our global clients with professionalism and expertise in M1 macrophage identification.

Classically Activated M1 Macrophage

M1 macrophages, also known as classically activated macrophages, are activated by Th1-type cytokines (e.g., IFN-γ) or pathogen-associated molecular patterns (e.g., LPS), and have a proinflammatory phenotype. M1 macrophages are important effector cells in the immune system, playing a key role in infection defense and antitumor immunity, but they may also be over-activated and lead to pathological damage.

Fig. 1 Activation of classically activated macrophages.^1,3

• Surface molecules: High expression of MHC-II, co-stimulatory molecules CD80/CD86, enhanced antigen presentation.
• Secretory features: Secretion of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α and highly reactive nitric oxide (iNOS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS).
• Metabolic characteristics: Relies on glycolysis for energy supply while inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation for rapid generation of ATP and metabolic intermediates (e.g., cis-caproic acid) to support bactericidal function and converts arginine to NO via iNOS to inhibit pathogen proliferation.

M1 Macrophage Identification Service at Creative Biolabs

Identification of M1subsets at Creative Biolabs is usually carried out by quantification of M1 macrophage markers, including multiple cell surface markers, transcription factors, and cytokine profiles.

We provide a full-service solution for the identification of M1 macrophages, covering the complete service chain from sample processing to data analysis. Below are the details of our services.

• Sample handling and cell sorting: Support for fresh tissue, peripheral blood, bone marrow and primary cultured cell samples.
• Polarization induction and quality control: Classic activation protocols are used to mimic Th1-type immune responses.
• Phenotypic characterization technology portfolio: Including surface proteins, secreted factors, and metabolic characterization validation to avoid single-marker errors.

By integrating cutting-edge detection technologies and standardized processes, this service solution provides researchers with a reliable and efficient platform for M1 macrophage identification, which is particularly suitable for tumor immunotherapy evaluation, analysis of infection mechanisms, and cell therapy product development.

Related Products

Our M1 macrophage identification services use advanced technology and standardized processes to ensure the delivery of accurate and reliable results. In addition to M1 macrophage identification, we offer a range of related biological products to support your research efforts.

Service Features

Precise Marker Combination

Adoption of surface protein, secretion factor, metabolic signature, and miRNA marker detection, avoiding single marker error and enhancing identification specificity.

High-throughput Capability

We can handle large-scale samples and adapt to the needs of high-throughput screening, helping clients to obtain a large amount of data in a short period of time and improve research efficiency.

Standardized Operation

All processes follow the norms and are equipped with negative/positive control samples.

Customized Service

Based on the specific needs of our clients, we offer flexible customization services, including different sample types and analytical parameters, to ensure that the requirements of all types of studies are met.

Detailed Data Analysis

Along with the identification results, we provide detailed data analysis and interpretation to help clients better understand the correlation between the results and their research objectives.

Fast Delivery Cycle

Possible time and providing timely reports to support our clients' research progress.

Publications

Tetiana Hourani et al. investigated macrophage autofluorescence as a unique feature for classifying six different macrophage phenotypes, viz. M0, M1, M2a, M2b, M2c, and M2d. The identification was based on signals extracted from a multi-channel/multi-wavelength flow cytometer.

Fig. 2 An intensity plot for the average height of the forward scatter signal for each macrophage phenotype.^2,3

They identified six macrophage phenotypes with their unique autofluorescent fingerprints, which allowed for label-free classification of macrophages. They analyzed a separate set of label-free macrophages with multichannel flow cytometry and used the collected data to generate phenotype-specific markers. Supervised deep learning algorithms were then applied to train and test the network in order to classify each macrophage population and its unique intrinsic markers.

Scientific Resources

Learn More Macrophage Biology

Download M1 vs. M2 Macrophages

Learn More Macrophages Markers

Learn More Isolation and Identification of Macrophages

Q & A

Q: How should I prepare my samples?

A: Sample preparation needs to follow our guidance notes, which focus on selecting a suitable source of cells, providing sufficient numbers of cells, and determining storage and transportation conditions for the sample. We can also provide specific advice on sample handling.

Q: What types of samples can I use?

A: You can identify M1 macrophages in a wide range of biological samples. Common samples include:

• PBMCs: We recommend collecting fresh peripheral blood samples, which, after isolation and processing, can be extracted for M1 macrophage identification.
• Spleen tissue: we can instruct you on how to process spleen samples for M1 macrophage extraction.
• Tumor microenvironment: For tumor samples, we can provide assistance in targeting tumor immune microenvironment studies by identifying M1 macrophages in tumor tissues through special isolation and culture methods.

Please provide detailed information on the source of the sample when submitting the sample so that we can advise you on the best experimental design.

Q: What surface markers can I choose to analyze?

A: In M1 macrophage phenotyping, you can choose from a wide range of surface markers for analysis. Common M1 markers include CD80, CD86, MHC II, CD14, CD32, CD40, and others. We recommend choosing markers in conjunction with your research objectives and discussing with our technical team for the best combination of markers.

Q: What is the approximate price range for this service?

A: The price of the service varies depending on a number of factors, including:

• Sample type: Different types of samples are processed at different levels of complexity, so prices may vary.
• Tests selected: The number of surface markers selected, whether functional tests are required, customization, and others will affect the final quote.
• Number of samples

To ensure an accurate quote, we recommend that you contact our customer service team directly with sample details and experimental requirements to receive personalized quote information.

References

1. Mamilos, Andreas, et al. "Macrophages: from simple phagocyte to an integrative regulatory cell for inflammation and tissue regeneration—a review of the literature." Cells 12.2 (2023): 276. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12020276
2. Hourani, Tetiana, et al. "Label-free macrophage phenotype classification using machine learning methods." Scientific Reports 13.1 (2023): 5202. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-32158-7
3. Under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.