Function of cardiac macrophages polarization in cardiovascular disease

Cardiac diseases, especially acute myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure, are among the most frequent causes of death in the western world and are on the uprise in developing countries.Ischemic heart disease is a common condition and a leading cause of mortality and morbidity.Even though the survival after myocardial infarction has significantly improved by early revascularization therapy and drug treatment, a significant number of patients develop heart failure.Macrophages, besides their role in host defense and tissue homeostasis, are critical players in the pathophysiological processes induced by myocardial infarction.Macrophage subsets have been demonstrated to be involved in the development of cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia, myocardial fibrosis), furthermore, it plays an important role in cardiac injury and myocardial remodeling.It was worthy to study current and prospective therapeutic approaches based on macrophage manipulation for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Key words: Macrophages; Cardiovascular diease; Polarization; M1; M2