Macrophage polarization toward M1 phenotype through NF-κB signaling in patients with Behçet’s disease

BACKGROUND: Macrophages are key innate immune cells implicated in the pathogenesis of Behçet’s disease (BD), and macrophage polarization plays a pivotal role in inflammatory response. This study aimed to investigate the role of BD serum on the phenotypes and functions of macrophage polarization. METHODS: BD or HC serum-treated human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs) were examined M1/M2 phenotypes using flow cytometry and ELISA. The phagocytic capacity of HMDMs and CD4(+)T cell differentiation facilitated by HMDMs were measured by flow cytometry. Transcriptome analysis of BD and HC serum-stimulated HMDMs was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes. NF-κB signaling was examined using western blot to explore the mechanism of macrophage polarization induced by BD serum. RESULTS: BD serum-treated macrophages expressed a higher level of CD86, IL-12, and TNF-α and a lower level of CD163, which were compatible with the M1-like phenotype. Furthermore, BD serum-treated macrophages showed enhanced phagocytic capacity and promoted more Th1 cell differentiation. Sixty-one differentially expressed genes were identified between BD and HC serum-treated macrophages and were enriched in NF-κB signaling. BD serum-treated macrophages showed upregulated p-p65 and downregulated IκBα, and NF-κB inhibitor attenuated BD serum-stimulated M1-like phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: BD serum promoted macrophage polarization toward a proinflammatory M1-like phenotype through NF-κB signaling and potentially facilitated inflammation in BD. M1 polarized macrophages may be a potential therapeutic target for BD. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13075-022-02938-z.