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PMID: 19741337 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review

Macrophage heterogeneity in atherosclerotic plaques.

Current opinion in lipidology ·Vol. 20 ·No. 5 ·2009-10-00 ·Pages 370-8

Johnson JL, Newby AC

Abstract

The varied behaviour of macrophages and foam cells during atherosclerosis and its clinical sequelae prompt the question whether all these activities can be the property of a single cell population. Subsets of monocytes with distinct patterns of surface markers and behaviours during inflammation have recently been characterized and shown to have complementary roles during progression of atherosclerosis. A variety of macrophage phenotypes derived from these monocyte subsets in response to mediators of innate and acquired immunity have also been found in plaques. Based on functional properties and genomic signatures, they may have different impacts on facets of plaque development, including fibrous cap and lipid core formation. Monocyte and macrophage phenotypic diversity is important in atherogenesis. More work is needed to define consistent marker sets for the different foam cell phenotypes in experimental animals and humans. Cell tracking studies are needed to establish their relationship with monocyte subtypes. In addition, genetic and pharmacological manipulation of phenotypes will be useful to define their functions and exploit the resulting therapeutic potential.

MeSH Terms
Animals Atherosclerosis/complications,drug therapy,genetics,pathology Humans Inflammation/complications,drug therapy,pathology Macrophages/drug effects,pathology Monocytes/pathology Phenotype
Authors & Affiliations
2 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Johnson Jason L
Bristol Heart Institute, University of Bristol, Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol BS2 8HW, UK.
Newby Andrew C
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Article Info
Journal
Current opinion in lipidology
Abbr.
Curr Opin Lipidol
ISSN
1473-6535
DOI
10.1097/MOL.0b013e3283309848
Published
2009-10-00
Pages
370-8
Language
English
Region
England
NLM ID
9010000
PMCID
PMC2850554
Subset
IM
Grants
British Heart Foundation · FS/07/053/24069 · United Kingdom
British Heart Foundation · RG/09/006/27918 · United Kingdom
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1097/MOL.0b013e3283309848 PMC Full Text View journal details
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