Comprehensive view of macrophage autophagy and its application in cardiovascular diseases

Area of Science:

• Cellular Biology
• Immunology
• Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major global health burden, linked to inflammatory responses.
• Macrophages play a critical role in CVD progression.
• Autophagy, a cellular process, is increasingly recognized for its connection to macrophage function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role and mechanisms of autophagy in regulating macrophage plasticity.
• To explore how autophagy influences macrophage functions relevant to CVDs.
• To discuss potential therapeutic applications targeting macrophage autophagy in CVDs.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent research on autophagy and macrophages in CVDs.
• Analysis of mechanisms linking autophagy to macrophage polarization, inflammasome activation, cytokine secretion, metabolism, phagocytosis, and cell number.
• Examination of autophagy's role in intercellular communication between macrophages and heart cells.

Main Results:

• Autophagy significantly modulates macrophage plasticity through various cellular processes.
• Autophagy-related proteins influence macrophage functions via substrate degradation and signaling pathways.
• Targeting macrophage autophagy shows promise for treating specific CVDs, including atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and myocarditis.

Conclusions:

• Autophagy is a key regulator of macrophage behavior in the context of cardiovascular diseases.
• Modulating macrophage autophagy presents a novel therapeutic avenue for CVD management.
• Further research into autophagy-mediated macrophage regulation could lead to innovative CVD treatments.