Macrophages, Transcytosis, and the Immunoregulatory Effects of Acupuncture

English ｜ Patient Education

Many chronic conditions are not caused solely by inflammation itself, but by a loss of regulation in the body’s protective barriers—such as the intestinal lining, vascular endothelium, and the blood–brain barrier.

When inflammation becomes persistent, immune signals can cause these barriers to become overly permeable. This allows substances to cross into tissues in an uncontrolled way, contributing to fatigue, digestive discomfort, chronic pain, and systemic imbalance.

Acupuncture does not force substances to move across barriers. Instead, it supports the body’s own regulatory systems so that transport occurs selectively and appropriately.

This section is for health education purposes only.

Scientific Background

Macrophages and Transcytosis
Macrophages influence endothelial and epithelial behavior through inflammatory cytokines. Excessive M1 macrophage activity promotes pathological transcytosis, while M2-associated signaling supports barrier stability.

Acupuncture and Immune Regulation
Studies show acupuncture down-regulates TLR4/MyD88 and NLRP3 inflammasome pathways, reduces TNF-α and IL-6, and shifts macrophage polarization toward regulatory phenotypes.

TCM Interpretation (Academic Perspective)
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, regulated barrier function parallels the concept of harmonious interaction between Ying (nutritive) and Wei (defensive) Qi. Disrupted permeability resembles Wei Qi instability and impaired network vessels (Luo Mai), leading to inappropriate leakage rather than controlled circulation.

Reference: Zhang R et al., Frontiers in Immunology, 2021. PMC8710088

中文（繁體）｜病人教育

許多慢性不適的關鍵，不只是發炎本身，而是身體保護性屏障（如腸道、血管內皮、血腦屏障）失去調節能力。

當發炎長期存在時，免疫訊號可能使屏障過度通透，讓原本不該進入組織的物質進入，進而影響全身平衡。

針灸並非「打開通道」，而是協助身體恢復選擇性調節。

本段為健康教育內容。

學術機轉說明

巨噬細胞與跨胞運輸
促發炎型巨噬細胞會透過細胞激素影響內皮與上皮行為，導致病理性跨胞運輸增加；調節型巨噬細胞則有助於屏障穩定。

針灸的免疫調節
研究顯示針灸可下調 TLR4/MyD88、NLRP3 發炎體，降低 TNF-α、IL-6，並促進免疫平衡。

中醫對應（學術詮釋）
中醫所謂「營衛調和」，可視為對屏障選擇性通透的功能描述；「絡脈失司」則近似於微循環與屏障調節失衡，而非單純阻塞或通暢問題。

研究出處：Zhang R 等，Frontiers in Immunology, 2021（PMC8710088）

한국어 ｜ 환자 교육

만성 염증의 핵심 문제는 단순한 염증 반응이 아니라 신체 장벽 조절 기능의 붕괴일 수 있습니다.

침 치료는 물질 이동을 강제로 유도하지 않으며, 면역 조절을 통해 장벽 기능의 균형을 회복하도록 돕습니다.

과학적 배경

침 치료는 대식세포 염증 신호를 조절함으로써 세포횡단수송과 장벽 안정성에 간접적으로 영향을 줄 수 있습니다.

Reference: Zhang R et al., Frontiers in Immunology, 2021

日本語｜患者向け解説

慢性的な不調は、炎症そのものよりも、生体バリアの調節異常と関係している場合があります。

鍼治療は物質移動を直接促進するのではなく、免疫とバリア機能の調和を支援します。

学術的背景

鍼治療はマクロファージ由来の炎症シグナルを調整し、トランスサイトーシスの制御環境に影響を与える可能性があります。

出典：Zhang R ほか, Frontiers in Immunology, 2021