title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Clinico Humanitas IRCCS, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy. alberto.mantovani@humanitas.it
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mantovani
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Garlanda
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Locati
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: 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