Research progress on macrophage regulation of atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) currently are responsible for high disability and mortality rates worldwide. Atherosclerosis is a major pathological process leading to CVDs, and macrophages are known to be important contributors to the initiation of atherosclerosis and promotion of plaque development, which eventually leads to plaque rupture. The role of these cells as a driver of plaque instability has received widespread attention, with continued research efforts devoted to unraveling the underlying mechanisms of macrophage involvement in atherosclerosis and identifying specific therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize the current evidence regarding the mechanisms by which macrophages regulate the progression of plaque development as well as recent therapeutic advances for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis.