Macrophage polarisation associated with atherosclerosis differentially affects their capacity to handle lipids

Background and aims Lipid-rich foam cell macrophages drive atherosclerosis via several mechanisms, including inflammation, lipid uptake, lipid deposition and plaque vulnerability. The atheroma environment shapes macrophage function and phenotype; anti-inflammatory macrophages improve plaque stability while pro-inflammatory macrophages promote rupture. Current evidence suggests a variety of macrophage phenotypes occur in atherosclerotic plaques...