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Updated: Jun 6, 2025
Isolation of Macrophage Subsets and Stromal Cells from Human and Mouse Myocardial Specimens
Published on: December 17, 2019
Mouse and human macrophages and their roles in cardiovascular health and disease
Alexandre Gallerand1, Jichang Han1, Stoyan Ivanov2
1Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
Abstract:
The past 15 years have witnessed a leap in understanding the life cycle, gene expression profiles, origins and functions of mouse macrophages in many tissues, including macrophages of the artery wall and heart that have critical roles in cardiovascular health. Here, we review the phenotypical and functional diversity of macrophage populations in multiple organs and discuss the roles that proliferation, survival, and recruitment and replenishment from monocytes have in maintaining macrophages in homeostasis and inflammatory states such as atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. We also introduce emerging data that better characterize the life cycle and phenotypic profiles of human macrophages. We discuss the similarities and differences between murine and human macrophages, raising the possibility that tissue-resident macrophages in humans may rely more on bone marrow-derived monocytes than in mouse.
Insights
Recent advances reveal mouse macrophage diversity and functions in cardiovascular health. Human macrophages may differ, potentially relying more on monocyte replenishment than in mice.
Area of Science:
- Immunology and Cardiovascular Science
- Cell Biology and Tissue Homeostasis
Background:
- Macrophages are crucial immune cells with diverse roles in cardiovascular health.
- Understanding macrophage origins, life cycle, and function is key to treating cardiovascular diseases.
- Previous research has focused heavily on mouse models, necessitating comparison with human macrophages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the phenotypical and functional diversity of macrophage populations in multiple organs.
- To discuss the mechanisms maintaining macrophages during homeostasis and inflammatory conditions like atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction.
- To compare murine and human macrophage characteristics and life cycles.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of studies on mouse and human macrophage biology.
- Analysis of gene expression profiles, origins, and functional diversity.
- Discussion of cellular processes including proliferation, survival, and monocyte recruitment.
Main Results:
- Significant progress in understanding mouse macrophage life cycle, gene expression, and functions, particularly in the artery wall and heart.
- Macrophages exhibit diverse phenotypes and functions across different organs.
- Proliferation, survival, and monocyte recruitment are critical for macrophage maintenance in homeostasis and disease.
Conclusions:
- Mouse macrophages are well-characterized, with critical roles in cardiovascular health.
- Emerging data on human macrophages suggest potential differences in their life cycle and origins.
- Human tissue-resident macrophages might depend more on bone marrow-derived monocytes compared to mice.
