Macrophage polarization refers to the ability of macrophages to switch between different functional states, such as M1 (pro-inflammatory) and M2 (anti-inflammatory), in response to various stimuli. This process is crucial in the development and progression of inflammatory diseases, including infection, atherosclerosis, obesity, tumor, asthma, and sepsis. The review discusses the mechanisms of macrophage polarization, the signaling pathways involved, and the roles of different macrophage phenotypes in various diseases. It highlights that targeting macrophage polarization could offer new therapeutic strategies for inflammatory diseases. The review also explores the plasticity of macrophages in different environments and their interactions with other immune cells. It emphasizes the importance of understanding macrophage polarization in the context of disease and the potential for developing therapies that modulate macrophage function to treat inflammatory conditions. The review concludes that further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of macrophage polarization and its role in disease.Macrophage polarization refers to the ability of macrophages to switch between different functional states, such as M1 (pro-inflammatory) and M2 (anti-inflammatory), in response to various stimuli. This process is crucial in the development and progression of inflammatory diseases, including infection, atherosclerosis, obesity, tumor, asthma, and sepsis. The review discusses the mechanisms of macrophage polarization, the signaling pathways involved, and the roles of different macrophage phenotypes in various diseases. It highlights that targeting macrophage polarization could offer new therapeutic strategies for inflammatory diseases. The review also explores the plasticity of macrophages in different environments and their interactions with other immune cells. It emphasizes the importance of understanding macrophage polarization in the context of disease and the potential for developing therapies that modulate macrophage function to treat inflammatory conditions. The review concludes that further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of macrophage polarization and its role in disease.