Optogenetic vagal nerve stimulation attenuates heart failure by limiting the generation of monocyte-derived inflammatory CCRL2+ macrophages

Parasympathetic neuronal dysfunction is associated with heart failure, yet the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Here, Li et al. demonstrate that optogenetic activation of the vagus nerve prevents the progression of heart failure by suppressing a distinct Ccrl2+ macrophage subset in an α7nAChR-dependent manner. Deletion of Ccrl2+ macrophages or activation of α7nAChR rescues heart failure.