Tuning macrophages for atherosclerosis treatment

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Biology
• Immunology
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory vascular disease and a leading global cause of mortality.
• Macrophages are central to the inflammatory processes, communication, and structural changes within atherosclerotic plaques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the multifaceted roles of macrophages in atherosclerosis progression.
• To discuss current strategies for modulating macrophage phenotypes and autophagy for therapeutic benefit.
• To explore advanced drug delivery systems targeting macrophages or utilizing their membranes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of macrophage biology in atherosclerosis.
• Analysis of therapeutic approaches targeting macrophage phenotype and autophagy.
• Examination of biomaterial-based drug delivery strategies involving macrophages.

Main Results:

• Macrophages exhibit diverse phenotypes and functions crucial to atherosclerotic lesion development and instability.
• Modulating macrophage phenotype and autophagy presents promising avenues for atherosclerosis treatment.
• Macrophage-targeted or macrophage membrane-coated drug delivery systems offer novel therapeutic strategies.

Conclusions:

• Understanding macrophage complexity is vital for developing effective atherosclerosis therapies.
• Targeting macrophages and employing advanced drug delivery systems hold significant potential for treating vascular diseases.
• Biomaterial-based strategies involving macrophages have broad applications in regenerative medicine and disease therapy.