Macrophages and Their Role in Destabilization of an Atherosclerotic Plaque

The modern data on structure and the functional activity of macrophages are presented in the review. It is shown that they are the nonhomogeneous cell population. Two of their main subpopulations are presented as M1 and M2 phenotypes which perform opposite functions at inflammation development. The main attention in the review is paid to a role of macrophages in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and, first, in formation of unstable atherosclerotic plaques which are the cause of the most severe complications of the disease. It is shown that main subpopulations of macrophages play different roles in formation of unstable and stable atherosclerotic plaques. Macrophages of M1 phenotype in the vascular wall carry out pro-atherogenic role and influence destabilization of an atherosclerotic plaque, while M2 macrophages perform atheroprotective function.