Research progress of the roles of macrophages in atherosclerosis / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To review the central functions of macrophages in atherosclerosis, to provide the literature support and strategies for diagnosis, therapy, pharmaceutical research and development of atherosclerosis. METHODS: This paper had consulted, analysed, concluded and summarized research progress of the functions of macrophages in atherosclerosis in recent years. RESULTS: AND CONCLUSION: Macrophages participate in many stages of atherosclerosis, and biomacromolecules related to macrophages, such as cytokines, chemokines, enzymes, transportproteins and miRNA, also play important roles. It is important to recognize the roles of macrophages and related biomacromolecules in atherosclerosis development in order to deeply understand etiology and pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, and provide bases for diagnosis, therapy, pharmaceutical research and development.