Dual-functionalized graphene oxide induces M2a and M2c macrophage polarization to orchestrate inflammation and tissue remodeling

M2c phenotype polarization. The efficient delivery of IL4 or IL10 plasmid DNA using GPPF (GPPF/pIL4 or GPPF/pIL10) significantly enhanced macrophage cellular elongation and reduced MHC-II-associated antigen presentation. M2a(GPPF/pIL4) and M2c(GPPF/pIL10) were validated as negative regulators of the immune response and positive regulators of Th2 effectors. Up-regulated genes in M2a(GPPF/pIL4) even inhibited type I interferon production and restricted the innate immune response. Supplemental to the established data, M2a(GPPF/pIL4) behaved similar to IFN-responsive macrophages, restricting viral life cycles and promoting myogenesis and osteogenesis. Meanwhile, M2c(GPPF/pIL10) was characterized using IL10 signaling, anti-fibrosis, and neutrophil-mediated suppression of the LPS-bacterial response. Regarding the tissue remodeling process, the two subsets attenuated negative-regulated BMP signaling to facilitate osteoinduction and up-regulated NAMPT to establish a transient stem cell-activating niche for tissue regeneration. This study underscored the potential of functionalized GO-induced M2 sub-phenotypes as modulators in regenerative medicine.