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Engineered Strategies to Interfere with Macrophage Fate in Myocardial Infarction
Zitong Zhai1, Chang Yang1, Wenming Yin2
1Central Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510910, China.
Insights
Tissue engineering strategies can regulate macrophage behavior to promote heart repair after myocardial infarction (MI). This review explores biomaterials that guide macrophages for better cardiovascular outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Immunology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Myocardial infarction (MI) causes heart damage due to coronary artery disease.
- Macrophages are key immune cells with adaptable functions crucial for tissue repair.
- Understanding macrophage regulation is vital for developing effective cardiac treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how engineered biomaterials influence macrophage behavior for myocardial repair.
- To explore tissue engineering strategies for modulating macrophages in cardiovascular disease.
- To summarize macrophage-host cell interactions in cardiac tissue remodeling.
Main Methods:
- Review of studies on engineered biomaterials affecting macrophage phenotypes.
- Analysis of bioactive molecules, conductivity, and microenvironmental factors in biomaterials.
- Examination of macrophage-host cell crosstalk in inflammation and vascularization.
Main Results:
- Engineered biomaterials can be designed to control macrophage functions.
- Specific material properties influence macrophage polarization and activity.
- Macrophage-biomaterial interactions are critical for promoting myocardial repair and tissue regeneration.
Conclusions:
- Tissue engineering offers promising strategies to guide macrophage responses for cardiac repair.
- Further research is needed to overcome challenges in macrophage-material interactions.
- Personalized biomaterials hold potential for tailored therapeutic interventions in MI.
Abstract:
Myocardial infarction (MI), a severe cardiovascular condition, is typically triggered by coronary artery disease, resulting in ischemic damage and the subsequent necrosis of the myocardium. Macrophages, known for their remarkable plasticity, are capable of exhibiting a range of phenotypes and functions as they react to diverse stimuli within their local microenvironment. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of studies on the regulation of macrophage behavior based on tissue engineering strategies, and its regulatory mechanisms deserve further investigation. This review first summarizes the effects of key regulatory factors of engineered biomaterials (including bioactive molecules, conductivity, and some microenvironmental factors) on macrophage behavior, then explores specific methods for inducing macrophage behavior through tissue engineering materials to promote myocardial repair, and summarizes the role of macrophage-host cell crosstalk in regulating inflammation, vascularization, and tissue remodeling. Finally, we propose some future challenges in regulating macrophage-material interactions and tailoring personalized biomaterials to guide macrophage phenotypes.
