Summary
Macrophages are highly heterogeneous and plastic cells. They were shown to play a
critical role in all stages of atherogenesis, from the initiation to the necrotic
core formation and plaque rupture. Lesional macrophages primarily derive from blood
monocyte, but local macrophage proliferation as well as differentiation from smooth
muscle cells have also been described. Within atherosclerotic plaques, macrophages
rapidly respond to changes in the microenvironment, shifting between pro- (M1) or
anti-inflammatory (M2) functional phenotypes. Furthermore, different stimuli have
been associated with differentiation of newly discovered M2 subtypes: IL-4/IL-13 (M2a),
immunecomplex (M2b), IL-10/glucocorticoids (M2c), and adenosine receptor agonist (M2d).
More recently, additional intraplaque macrophage phenotypes were also recognized in
response to CXCL4 (M4), oxidized phospholipids (Mox), haemoglobin/haptoglobin complexes
(HAmac/M(Hb)), and heme (Mhem). Such macrophage polarization was described as a progression
among multiple phenotypes, which reflect the activity of different transcriptional
factors and the cross-talk between intracellular signalling. Finally, the distribution
of macrophage subsets within different plaque areas was markedly associated with cardiovascular
(CV) vulnerability. The aim of this review is to update the current knowledge on the
role of macrophage subsets in atherogenesis. In addition, the molecular mechanisms
underlying macrophage phenotypic shift will be summarised and discussed. Finally,
the role of intraplaque macrophages as predictors of CV events and the therapeutic
potential of these cells will be discussed.
Keywords
Monocyte - macrophage - polarisation - atherosclerosis