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Updated: May 30, 2026
Investigation of Macrophage Polarization Using Bone Marrow Derived Macrophages
Published on: June 23, 2013
A glimpse on the phenomenon of macrophage polarization during atherosclerosis
Oscar M Pello1, Carlos Silvestre, Maria De Pizzol
1Molecular and Genetic Cardiovascular Pathophysiology Group, Epidemiology, Atherothrombosis and Imaging Department, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernandez Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain. ompello@cnic.es
Insights
Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease, involves monocyte recruitment and macrophage differentiation. Understanding macrophage polarization is key to developing new treatments for this leading cause of death.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases are leading global mortality causes, exacerbated by aging populations.
- This complex inflammatory process involves endothelial dysfunction and leukocyte infiltration in artery walls.
- Cardiovascular risk factors perpetuate atherosclerosis development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review mechanisms of monocyte recruitment into atherosclerotic lesions.
- To discuss monocyte differentiation into macrophages.
- To explore macrophage polarization in atherosclerosis and its potential therapeutic implications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of mechanisms governing monocyte recruitment and differentiation.
- Analysis of current knowledge on macrophage polarization.
- Synthesis of research on distinct macrophage subtypes in atherosclerosis progression.
Main Results:
- Mechanisms of circulating monocyte recruitment into the artery wall are detailed.
- Monocyte differentiation into macrophages within the lesion is explained.
- Macrophage polarization and its association with distinct atherosclerotic stages are discussed.
Conclusions:
- Understanding macrophage polarization is crucial for novel atherosclerosis treatment strategies.
- Identifying specific macrophage subsets and their roles can guide therapeutic development.
- Targeting macrophage polarization may limit atherosclerosis progression.
Abstract:
Atherosclerosis and associated cardiovascular disease are the leading causes of mortality in developed countries and the World Health Organization has estimated that by 2020 these disorders will be the main sanitary and socio-economic problem world-wide due in part to the progressive aging of our societies. Atherosclerosis is a complex chronic inflammatory process triggered and perpetuated by cardiovascular risk factors which cause endothelial dysfunction and leukocyte infiltration within the subendothelial space in the artery wall. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms that govern the recruitment of circulating monocytes into the incipient atherosclerotic lesion and their differentiation into macrophages. Moreover, we discuss current knowledge on macrophage polarization, a phenomenon of increasing interest given recent work suggesting that different stages in the progression of atherosclerosis are associated with the presence of distinct macrophage subtypes. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that orchestrate macrophage polarization and the precise role of distinct macrophage subsets should provide a basis for novel treatment strategies to limit the progression of atherosclerosis.
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