Macrophage diversity and polarization in atherosclerosis: a question of balance.
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.
Mantovani
Alberto
A
Istituto Clinico Humanitas IRCCS, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy. alberto.mantovani@humanitas.it
Garlanda
Cecilia
C
Locati
Massimo
M
D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000502:physiology; D000073883:CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1; D002465:Cell Movement; D016764:Cell Polarity; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D008262:Macrophage Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology*; D054390:Receptors, CCR2 / Q000502:physiology; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine / Q000502:physiology; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component / Q000502:physiology; D000099153:Pentraxins
D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000073883:CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D054390:Receptors, CCR2; D019707:Receptors, Chemokine; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component; D000099153:Pentraxins; C515334:CCR2 protein, human; C095235:CX3CR1 protein, human; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein