Single-cell transcriptome sequencing of macrophages in common cardiovascular diseases

Abstract Macrophages are strategically located throughout the body at key sites in the immune system. A key feature in atherosclerosis is the uptake and accumulation of lipoproteins by arterial macrophages, leading to the formation of foam cells. After myocardial infarction, macrophages derived from monocytes infiltrate the infarcted heart. Macrophages are also closely related to adverse remodeling after heart failure. An in-depth understanding of the functions and characteristics of macrophages is required to study heart health and pathophysiological processes; however, the heterogeneity and plasticity explained by the classic M1/M2 macrophage paradigm are too limited. Single-cell sequencing is a high-throughput sequencing technique that enables the sequencing of the genome or transcriptome of a single cell. It effectively complements the heterogeneity of gene expression in a single cell that is ignored by conventional sequencing and can give valuable insights into the development of complex diseases. In the present review, we summarize the available research on the application of single-cell transcriptome sequencing to study the changes in macrophages during common cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. This article also discusses the contribution of this knowledge to understanding the pathogenesis, development, diagnosis, and treatment of heart diseases.