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(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2009;29:1419.)
© 2009 American Heart Association, Inc.

Brief Reviews

Macrophage Diversity and Polarization in Atherosclerosis

A Question of Balance

Alberto Mantovani; Cecilia Garlanda; Massimo Locati

From the Istituto Clinico Humanitas IRCCS (A.M., C.G., M.L.), Rozzano, Italy; Università degli Studi di Milano, Dipartimento di Medicina Traslazionale (A.M., M.L.), Rozzano, Italy.

Correspondence to Prof Alberto Mantovani, Istituto Clinico Humanitas IRCCS, via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano (MI), Italy. E-mail alberto.mantovani{at}humanitas.it

Series Editor: Ziad Mallat
ATVB In Focus

Monocyte Subsets and Their Relevance to Cardiovascular Diseases

Diversity and plasticity are hallmarks of mononuclear phagocytes, which are reflected in plaque formation and evolution. Different monocyte subsets, which differentially contribute to plaque infiltration and to atherosclerosis complications, have been identified. Similarly, depending on different environmental signals plaque-associated macrophages can express polarized pro- and antiatherogenic programs by influencing lipid metabolism, inflammatory responses, and plaque stability. Thus, a "macrophage balance" plays a major role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic plaques and affects evolution and complications of atherosclerosis.

Key Words: macrophage • inflammation • atherosclerosis