Alternative polarization of macrophages induced by IL-4 is important for homeostasis and tissue repair. Downstream from IL-4 receptor signaling, STAT6 activation is transient, but induces stable transcriptional changes. These data suggest that STAT6 induces second messengers to carry out the alternative transcriptional program. In this issue of Genes & Development, Daniel and colleagues (pp. 1474–1492) identify EGR2 as a downstream regulator of STAT6 with broad functionality that further induces many transcription factors associated with alternative polarization. Identification of high EGR2 expression in a subset of mouse and human alveolar macrophages further highlights EGR2 as a conserved marker of alternatively activated macrophages.

中文翻译：

---

备用巨噬细胞继电器：STAT6将警棍传递到EGR2

由IL-4诱导的巨噬细胞的替代极化对于稳态和组织修复很重要。在IL-4受体信号传导的下游，STAT6激活是短暂的，但会诱导稳定的转录变化。这些数据表明STAT6诱导第二信使执行替代转录程序。在本期《基因与发展》中，Daniel及其同事（第1474–1492页）将EGR2鉴定为STAT6的下游调控因子，其功能广泛，可进一步诱导许多与选择性极化相关的转录因子。在小鼠和人类肺泡巨噬细胞的亚群中高EGR2表达的鉴定进一步突出了EGR2作为交替激活的巨噬细胞的保守标记。