Macrophage Phenotyping in Atherosclerosis by Proteomics

Macrophages are heterogeneous and plastic cells, able to adapt their phenotype and functions to changes in the microenvironment. They are involved in several homeostatic processes and also in many human diseases, including atherosclerosis, where they participate in all the stages of the disease. For these reasons, macrophages have been studied extensively using different approaches, including proteomics. Proteomics, indeed, may be a powerful tool to better understand the behavior of these cells, and a careful analysis of the proteome of different macrophage phenotypes can help to better characterize the role of these phenotypes in atherosclerosis and provide a broad view of proteins that might potentially affect the course of the disease. In this review, we discuss the different proteomic techniques that have been used to delineate the proteomic profile of macrophage phenotypes and summarize some results that can help to elucidate the roles of macrophages and develop new strategies to counteract the progression of atherosclerosis and/or promote regression.

Automated summary

Macrophages are versatile cells that can adapt their characteristics and functions to different environments. They play important roles in maintaining homeostasis and are also involved in various human diseases, including atherosclerosis. Proteomics has been widely used to study macrophages, and analyzing the proteome of different macrophage phenotypes can provide insights into their roles in atherosclerosis and identify potential therapeutic targets. In this review, we discuss different proteomic techniques used to profile macrophage phenotypes and summarize findings that contribute to understanding macrophage functions and developing strategies to combat atherosclerosis.