Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 17, 2025
Quantification of Monocyte Transmigration and Foam Cell Formation from Individuals with Chronic Inflammatory Conditions
Published on: October 17, 2017
Nonclassical monocytes in cardiovascular physiology and disease
Sibgha Tahir1, Sabine Steffens1,2
1Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany.
Insights
Nonclassical monocytes patrol blood vessels, aiding vascular health and healing. While protective, these immune cells also contribute to inflammatory diseases, highlighting their complex role in cardiovascular conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vascular Biology
- Innate Immunity
Background:
- Monocytes are key innate immune cells with diverse functions.
- Human monocytes comprise three subsets: classical, intermediate, and nonclassical.
- Nonclassical monocytes (CD14+CD16++) are increasingly recognized for their roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the emerging functions of nonclassical monocytes.
- To explore their involvement in vascular homeostasis and inflammation.
- To discuss their dual role in cardiovascular disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of nonclassical monocyte functions.
- Analysis of monocyte subset markers (CD14, CD16).
- Synthesis of data on vascular patrolling and immune response.
Main Results:
- Nonclassical monocytes patrol the endothelium, maintaining vascular integrity.
- They are crucial for wound healing and resolving inflammation.
- These cells link innate and adaptive immunity.
- Their role in cardiovascular disease is complex, showing both protective and detrimental aspects.
Conclusions:
- Nonclassical monocytes are vital for vascular homeostasis and immune responses.
- Their involvement in cardiovascular disease warrants further investigation.
- Understanding these cells is key to developing new therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
Monocytes are a heterogeneous cell population of innate immune cells with distinct cell surface markers that help them in carrying out different functions. In humans, there are three well-characterized subsets, namely, classical (CD14++CD16-), intermediate (CD14++CD16+), and nonclassical (CD14+ CD16++) monocytes. There is an emerging focus on the not yet well explored nonclassical monocytes that maintain vascular integrity by slowly patrolling on the endothelium, reacting to inflammatory signals, and clearing cell debris. In this manner, they are not only crucial for vascular homeostasis but also play a vital role in wound healing and resolution of inflammation by linking innate to adaptive immune response. Although they have been shown to be protective, yet they are also associated with inflammatory disease progression. This short review will give an insight about the emerging role of nonclassical monocytes in vascular homeostasis, inflammation, and protection in the context of cardiovascular disease.
Related Concept Videos
01:38Inflammation
01:27Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
01:26Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology
01:27Regulation of the Cardiovascular System
The regulation of the cardiovascular system involves the autonomic nervous system (ANS), baroreceptors, and chemoreceptors, ensuring that heart rate and blood pressure are appropriately modulated in response to varying physiological demands.
The ANS comprises two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The sympathetic nervous system enhances...
01:15Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells
01:21Myocarditis I: Introduction