Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 2 (LPCAT2) Regulates The Expression of Macrophage Phenotype Markers in RAW264.7 Cells

1 Abstract Macrophages are key antigen presenting cells that also secrete cytokines during inflammation. They can be polarised to M1 or M2 phenotypes. Molecules such as CD206 and inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase are considered macrophage phenotype markers because they are highly expressed in either M1 or M2 macrophages. LPCAT2 is a phospholipid modifying enzyme that influences inflammatory responses in macrophages. However, how LPCAT2 influences inflammation is not fully understood. In this study, we have used genetic technology to study the influence of LPCAT2 on macrophage phenotype markers. Our results show for the first time that overexpression of LPCAT2 promotes the expression of M1 macrophage phenotype markers, and attenuates the expression of M2 macrophage markers.