 Macrophages play a critical role in the immune system by recognizing and engulfing foreign particles such as bacteria or viruses. They also produce cytokines and other molecules that help fight off infections. Macrophages can differentiate into two distinct subtypes M1 and M2 depending on the type of stimulus they receive. The M1 subtype produces inflammatory cytokines and promotes the destruction of infected cells while the M2 subtype produces anti-inflammatory cytokines and helps promote wound healing. Macrophages are also important in the development of cancer as they can promote tumor growth and metastasis. Additionally, they can suppress the immune system making them attractive targets for cancer treatment. Recent research has focused on understanding how macrophages respond to different signals with the goal of developing new treatments for diseases like cancer and auto-immunity. This article was authored by Shanza Chen, Abdullah Fuh Saeed, Kuan Liu and others. We are article.tv, links in the description below.