In this paper, we present and analyze a mathematical model for polarization of a single macrophage which, despite its simplicity, exhibits complex dynamics in terms of multistability. In particular, we demonstrate that an asymmetry in the regulatory mechanisms and parameter values is important for observing multiple phenotypes. Bifurcation and sensitivity analyses show that external signaling cues are necessary for macrophage commitment and emergence to a phenotype, but that the intrinsic macrophage pathways are equally important. Based on our numerical results, we formulate hypotheses that could be further investigated by laboratory experiments to deepen our understanding of macrophage polarization.

在本文中，我们提出并分析了单个巨噬细胞极化的数学模型，尽管它很简单，但在多重稳定性方面却表现出复杂的动力学。特别是，我们证明了调节机制和参数值的不对称对于观察多种表型很重要。分叉和敏感性分析表明，外部信号提示对于巨噬细胞的定型和表型的出现是必需的，但是固有的巨噬细胞途径同样重要。根据我们的数值结果，我们提出了可以通过实验室实验进一步研究的假设，以加深我们对巨噬细胞极化的理解。