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Updated: Jul 31, 2025

Isolation of Macrophage Subsets and Stromal Cells from Human and Mouse Myocardial Specimens
Published on: December 17, 2019
The phagocytic role of macrophage following myocardial infarction
Jiahua Li1,2, Qi Chen1, Rong Zhang1,2
1Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine, International Institute for Translational Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China.
Abstract:
Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the cardiovascular diseases with high morbidity and mortality. MI causes large amounts of apoptotic and necrotic cells that need to be efficiently and instantly engulfed by macrophage to avoid second necrosis. Phagocytic macrophages can dampen or resolve inflammation to protect infarcted heart. Phagocytosis of macrophages is modulated by various factors including proteins, receptors, lncRNA and cytokines. A better understanding of mechanisms in phagocytosis will be beneficial to regulate macrophage phagocytosis capability towards a desired direction in cardioprotection after MI. In this review, we describe the phagocytosis effect of macrophages and summarize the latest reported signals regulating phagocytosis after MI, which will provide a new thinking about phagocytosis-dependent cardiac protection after MI.
Insights
Macrophages clear dead cells after myocardial infarction (MI) to prevent further damage. Understanding macrophage phagocytosis mechanisms is key to developing new cardiac protection strategies following MI.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Immunology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of death globally.
- Efficient clearance of dead cells by macrophages is crucial for resolving inflammation and preventing secondary damage post-MI.
- Macrophage phagocytosis is a complex process influenced by various molecular factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of macrophage phagocytosis in the context of myocardial infarction.
- To summarize the key signaling pathways and molecules that regulate macrophage phagocytosis after MI.
- To highlight the therapeutic potential of modulating macrophage phagocytosis for cardioprotection.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on macrophage phagocytosis in myocardial infarction.
- Analysis of signaling pathways, including proteins, receptors, lncRNA, and cytokines.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on phagocytosis-dependent mechanisms in cardiac repair.
Main Results:
- Macrophages play a critical role in clearing apoptotic and necrotic cells following MI.
- Various factors, including proteins, receptors, lncRNAs, and cytokines, modulate macrophage phagocytic capacity.
- Enhanced phagocytosis by macrophages can dampen inflammation and promote resolution of cardiac injury.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the regulation of macrophage phagocytosis is essential for developing novel cardioprotective therapies.
- Targeting macrophage phagocytosis offers a promising strategy for improving outcomes after myocardial infarction.
- Phagocytosis-dependent mechanisms represent a key area for future research in cardiac protection.
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