Induction of M2 regulatory macrophages through the β2-adrenergic receptor with protection during endotoxemia and acute lung injury.

The main drivers of acute inflammation are macrophages, which are known to have receptors for catecholamines. Based on their function, macrophages are broadly categorized as having either M1 (proinflammatory) or M2 phenotypes (anti-inflammatory). In this study, we investigated catecholamine-induced alterations in the phenotype of activated macrophages. In the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), mouse peritoneal macrophages acquired an M1 phenotype. However, the copresence of LPS and either epinephrine or norepinephrine resulted in a strong M2 phenotype including high levels of arginase-1 and interleukin-10, and a reduced expression of M1 markers. Furthermore, epinephrine enhanced macrophage phagocytosis and promoted type 2 T-cell responses in vitro, which are known features of M2 macrophages. Analysis of M2 subtype-specific markers indicated that LPS and catecholamine-cotreated macrophages were not alternatively activated but were rather of the regulatory macrophage subtype. Interestingly, catecholamines signaled through the β2-adrenergic receptor but not the canonical cAMP/protein kinase A signaling pathway. Instead, the M2 pathway required an intact phosphoinositol 3-kinase pathway. Blockade of the β2-adrenergic receptor reduced survival and enhanced injury in mouse models of endotoxemia and LPS-induced acute lung injury, respectively. These results demonstrate a role for the β2-adrenergic receptor in promoting the M2 macrophage phenotype.