Macrophage Diversity and Polarization in Atherosclerosis: A Question of Balance
Abstract
Diversity and plasticity are hallmarks of mononuclear phagocytes, which are reflected in plaque formation and evolution. Different monocyte subsets, which differentially contribute to plaque infiltration and to atherosclerosis complications, have been identified. Similarly, depending on different environmental signals plaque-associated macrophages can express polarized pro- and antiatherogenic programs by influencing lipid metabolism, inflammatory responses, and plaque stability. Thus, a "macrophage balance" plays a major role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic plaques and affects evolution and complications of atherosclerosis.
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Atherosclerosis etiology includes inflammatory cells, particularly macrophages.
“Similar to cancer, atherosclerosis has an etiology that has, for many years, been recognized to include the involvement an inflammatory cell population, in particular macrophages [45–47].”
From Macrophage polarization: an opportunity for improved outcomes in biomaterials and regenerative medicine (2012) · cites this paper as [47]
A macrophage phenotypic switch occurs with atherosclerosis progression.
“Also similar to cancer, a macrophage phenotypic switch is observed to occur with disease progression, albeit with significantly different pathologic sequelae [45–48].”
From Macrophage polarization: an opportunity for improved outcomes in biomaterials and regenerative medicine (2012) · cites this paper as [47]
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- Authors
- Mantovani, A., Garlanda, C., & Locati, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Milan (IT)
- From the Istituto Clinico Humanitas IRCCS (A.M., C.G., M.L.), Rozzano, Italy; Università degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento di Medicina Traslazionale (A.M., M.L.), Rozzano, Italy.
- Venue
- Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
- Published
- 2009-10
- Volume
- 29
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 1419-1423
- ISSN
- 1079-5642 (ISSN-L)
- 1524-4636
- OpenAlex
- W2113186517
- Cited by
- 426
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 28 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 31 · 2015: 42 · 2014: 44 · 2013: 57 · 2012: 52
- FWCI
- 2.33
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Diseases
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Cholesterol and Lipid Metabolism
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune cells in cancer
- Keywords
- macrophage polarization, atherosclerosis, monocyte subsets, plaque stability, mononuclear phagocytes, lipid metabolism, inflammation
- MeSH terms
- CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1, Pentraxins, Serum Amyloid P-Component, Animals, C-Reactive Protein, Cell Movement, Humans, Lipoproteins, LDL, Macrophage Activation, Macrophages, Cell Polarity, Receptors, Chemokine, Atherosclerosis, Receptors, CCR2
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