Implications for the role of macrophages in a model of myocardial fibrosis: CCR2 −/− mice exhibit an M2 phenotypic shift in resident cardiac macrophages

Macrophages (M Φ) are functionally diverse and dynamic. Until recently, cardiac MΦ were assumed to be monocyte derived; however, resident cardiac MΦ (rCMΦ), present at baseline, were identified in myocardia and have been implicated in cardiac healing. Previously, we demonstrated that CCR2−/− mice are prote cted from myocardial fibrosis — an observation initially attributed to changes in infiltrating monocytes. Here, we reexplored this observation in the context of our new understanding of rCMΦ.

Source: Cardiovascular Pathology - May 30, 2016 Category: Cardiology Authors: Alec Falkenham, Tanya Myers, Chloe Wong, Jean Francois Legare Tags: Original Article Source Type: research