Ionizing radiation-Induced reprogramming of polarized Macrophages and their exosomes

Macrophages play a central role in immune regulation by adopting distinct polarization states—pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes. Ionizing radiation has emerged as a promising tool for modulating immune cell functions; however, its impact on macrophage polarization and associated molecular changes remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the transcriptional and functional alterations induced by gamma irradiation (10 Gy) in M1- and M2-polarized RAW 264.7 macrophages. Transcriptome analysis was performed to identify radiation-induced gene expression changes and to uncover key regulators driving these responses. Additionally, we explored the biological functions of exosomes derived from irradiated macrophages, given their potential as cell-free therapeutic agents that reflect parental cell status. Our findings provide new insights into how ionizing radiation reprograms polarized macrophages and modulates their cytokine signaling and exosomal profiles, highlighting novel targets and strategies for immune modulation and therapeutic development.