Macrophage-Based Therapies for Atherosclerosis Management

Abstract

Atherosclerosis (AS), a typical chronic inflammatory vascular disease, is the main pathological basis of ischemic cardio/cerebrovascular disease (CVD). Long-term administration was characterized with low efficacy and serious side effects, while the macrophages with attractive intrinsic homing target have great potential in the efficient and safe management of AS. In this review, we focused on the systematical summary of the macrophage-based therapies in AS management, including macrophage autophagy, polarization, targeted delivery, microenvironment-triggered drug release, and macrophage- or macrophage membrane-based drug carrier. In conclusion, macrophage-based therapies have great promise to effectively manage AS in future research and clinic translation.

Figure 1

Illustration of monocyte and macrophage in AS. After recruited to endothelial cells, the active monocytes oversecrete IL-6, MCP-1, and TNF-α and subsequently differentiate into macrophages. Macrophages are polarized into two types: M1 and M2. Once macrophages uptake the ox-LDL and cholesterol, foam cells are formed and induced atherosclerotic progression. Reproduced with permission from [3], copyright 2017 Wiley.

Figure 2

Illustration of macrophage autophagy in different routes. Reproduced with permission from [29], copyright 2019 Springer.

Figure 3

Illustration of functional modifications of the carrier.