Macrophages play essential roles in infection and resolution of inflammation. This review
summarizes recent findings that suggest a relevant role for the nuclear receptor liver X
receptor (LXR) in the evolution of immune responses. By exerting both positive and negative
regulation of specific macrophage gene expression networks, LXRs display anti-
inflammatory activities and promote macrophage survival in bacterial infection settings.
Agonists that activate the LXR pathway may be used to enhance innate immunity to highly …