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Macrophages in collateral arteriogenesis

Erik Fung1, Armin Helisch

  • 1Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center Lebanon, NH, USA.

Frontiers in Physiology
|October 12, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Monocytes and macrophages play a key role in collateral artery growth (arteriogenesis), a natural process that restores blood flow to tissues affected by arteriosclerotic vascular disease. Understanding these mechanisms may lead to new treatments for ischemic conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Immunology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Arteriosclerotic vascular disease is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally.
  • Tissue ischemia and necrosis resulting from this disease affect vital organs like the heart, brain, and limbs.
  • Arteriogenesis, the growth of collateral arteries, is a natural compensatory mechanism to restore blood flow to ischemic tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current evidence regarding the involvement of monocytes and macrophages in collateral artery growth (arteriogenesis).
  • To explore the potential therapeutic implications of understanding these cellular mechanisms for treating ischemic vascular diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating the role of monocytes and macrophages in arteriogenesis.
  • Analysis of experimental and clinical data on immune cell involvement in collateral vessel development.

Main Results:

  • Monocytes and macrophages are integral to the process of arteriogenesis.
  • These immune cells contribute to the inflammatory and remodeling processes essential for collateral artery formation.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting monocyte and macrophage functions presents a promising therapeutic strategy for enhancing arteriogenesis.
  • Further research into the specific roles of these cells could unlock novel treatments for patients suffering from ischemic vascular disease.

Keywords:
angiogenesisarteriogenesiscollateral arterygrowthmacrophagesmonocytesremodelingvascular

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