Frontiers in Pharmacology (Jun 2024)

Inhibition of differentiation of monocyte-derived macrophages toward an M2-Like phenotype May Be a neglected mechanism of β-AR receptor blocker therapy for atherosclerosis

  • Shouyi Liu,
  • Bo Zhang,
  • Jingqun Zhou,
  • Jianfeng Lv,
  • Jinxia Zhang,
  • Xiangyan Li,
  • Weihua Yang,
  • Yuanlin Guo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1378787
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15

Abstract

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The clinical efficacy of adrenergic β-receptor (β-AR) blockers in significantly stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques has been extensively supported by evidence-based medical research; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Recent findings have highlighted the impact of lipid-induced aberrant polarization of macrophages during normal inflammatory-repair and regenerative processes on atherosclerosis formation and progression. In this review, we explore the relationship between macrophage polarization and atherosclerosis, as well as the influence of β-AR blockers on macrophage polarization. Based on the robust evidence supporting the use of β-AR blockers for treating atherosclerosis, we propose that their main mechanism involves inhibiting monocyte-derived macrophage differentiation towards an M2-like phenotype.

Keywords