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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Isolation and Identification of Extravascular Immune Cells of the Heart
Published on: August 23, 2018
Monocytes in heart failure: relationship to a deteriorating immune overreaction or a desperate attempt for tissue
Stavros Apostolakis1, Gregory Y H Lip, Eduard Shantsila
1Haemostasis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Unit, University of Birmingham Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, City Hospital, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK.
Abstract:
Monocytes play an important role in immune defence, inflammation, and tissue remodelling. Nevertheless, the role of monocytes in cardiovascular disease is obscure. Indeed, monocytes infiltrate dysfunctional tissue and augment tissue damage and are actively involved in tissue regeneration and healing. In support of the latter, recent studies have provided data on the functional and structural plasticity of monocytes. Monocytes are also actively involved in processes associated with tissue regeneration such as angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, either by producing pro-angiogenic factors or even by evolving to structural components of the vascular wall. This review article provides an overview on whether monocytes represent deteriorating immune overreaction in heart failure (HF), or a desperate attempt for tissue repair or physiological compensation in the failing heart. Perhaps, it is time to reconsider our attitude towards monocytes and consider more 'monocyte activation' rather than 'monocyte suppression' as a potential therapeutic target in HF.
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