Open Access
REVIEW
Macrophage polarization in cardiac transplantation: Insights into immune modulation and therapeutic approaches
1 Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
2 The First Clinical Medical College of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, China
3 Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100029, China
* Corresponding Authors: BAOSHI ZHENG. Email: ; CHENG LUO. Email:
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Exploring Mitochondria: Unraveling Structure, Function, and Implications in Health and Disease)
BIOCELL 2025, 49(1), 61-78. https://doi.org/10.32604/biocell.2024.056981
Received 04 August 2024; Accepted 31 October 2024; Issue published 24 January 2025
Abstract
The role and regulatory mechanisms of macrophage polarization in cardiac transplantation have gained significant attention. Macrophages can polarize into either the M1 (pro-inflammatory) or M2 (anti-inflammatory) phenotype in response to environmental cues. M1 macrophages facilitate transplant rejection by releasing inflammatory mediators and activating T cells, whereas M2 macrophages support graft survival by secreting anti-inflammatory factors and promoting tissue repair. Mitochondrial quality control regulation plays a crucial role in macrophage polarization, which may influence graft survival and immune responses. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of mitochondrial quality control-regulated macrophage polarization in cardiac transplantation, its effects on graft outcomes, and potential therapeutic strategies to modulate this process to enhance transplant success rates. The review was conducted by systematically analyzing recent studies and integrating findings from key research articles to synthesize a comprehensive understanding of this emerging field.Keywords
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