Thioglycollate-elicited Peritoneal Macrophages Preparation and Arginase Activity Measurement in IL-4 Stimulated Macrophages

Abstract

Macrophages are an essential cell population of innate immunity that plays important roles in inflammatory processes. Two main different phenotypes have been described with opposing activities: The classically activated macrophages (M1) and the alternatively activated macrophages (M2). Alternative activation of mouse macrophages can be induced by type 2 cytokines such as IL-4 and it is characterized by the regulation of the L-arginine metabolism. M2 macrophages convert arginine to ornithine and urea through the action of Arginase-1. Here we described a method for the isolation of peritoneal macrophages from thioglycollate-elicited mice and alternative activation by stimulation with IL-4. Intraperitoneal injection of thioglycollate elicits large numbers of macrophages into peritoneal cavity.