Macrophage Polarization in Inflammatory Diseases

Liu, Yan-Cun; Zou, Xian-Biao; Chai, Yan-Fen; Yao, Yong-Ming

Monocytes and macrophages play essential roles in the development of atherosclerosis [43] . As the apolipoprotein B-lipoproteins accumulated, the endothelial cells become dysfunction and secrete a sum of chemokines, which interact with receptors on the circulating monocytes and promote them into the vessel wall. Those monocytes then transform into macrophages and take up cholesterol to give rise to a structure called atherosclerotic plaque [44] . As diseases develop, atherosclerotic plaque can grow larger, even become vulnerable and rupture, potentially resulting in a heart attack, stroke and even sudden car-diac death [41] . The fact that prevention of monocyte recruitment by blocking chemokines or their receptors could inhibit or slow down atherogenesis in mouse model of atherosclerosis, might provide strong support for the essential role of macrophages in the development of atherosclerosis [45] .