The interplay between T lymphocytes and macrophages in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

Acute myocardial infarction is one of the most important causes of death in the world, causing a huge health and economic burden to the world. It is still a ticklish problem how to effectively prevent reperfusion injury while recovering the blood flow of ischemic myocardium. During the process of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MI/RI), the modulation of immune cells plays an important role. Monocyte/macrophage, neutrophils and endothelial cells initiate the inflammatory response and induce the release of various inflammatory cytokines, resulting in increased vascular permeability, tissue edema and damage. Meanwhile, T cells were recruited to impaired myocardium and release pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. T cells and macrophages play important roles in keeping cardiac homeostasis and orchestrate tissue repair. T cells differentiation and macrophages polarization precisely regulates the tissue microenvironment in MI/RI, and shows cross action, but the mechanism is unclear. To identify potential intervention targets and propose ideas for treatment and prevention of MI/RI, this review explores the crosstalk between T lymphocytes and macrophages in MI/RI.