RETRACTED: Macrophage phenotypic plasticity in atherosclerosis: The associated features and the peculiarities of the expression of inflammatory genes
Authors: Yuri V Bobryshev
Alexander N Orekhov
Natalia V Elizova
Nikita G Nikiforov
Igor A Sobenin
Dimitry A Chistiakov
Journal: International Journal of Cardiology (2015)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: Atherogenesis; Atherosclerosis; Heterogeneity; Inflammation; Macrophages
Affiliations: Department of Medical Nanobiotechnology, Pirogov Russian State Medical University, Moscow 117997, Russia., Faculty of Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Sydney, Australia; Clinical School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia; Laboratory of Angiopathology, Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow125315, Russia. Electronic address: ., Laboratory of Angiopathology, Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow125315, Russia; Institute for Atherosclerosis Research, Skolkovo Innovative Center, Moscow 143025, Russia., Laboratory of Angiopathology, Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow125315, Russia; Institute for Atherosclerosis Research, Skolkovo Innovative Center, Moscow 143025, Russia; Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Russian Cardiology Research and Production Complex, Moscow 121552, Russia., Institute for Atherosclerosis Research, Skolkovo Innovative Center, Moscow 143025, Russia; Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Russian Cardiology Research and Production Complex, Moscow 121552, Russia; Department of Biophysics, Biological Faculty, Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia.

Abstract:  Macrophages are essential players in induction and progression of atherosclerotic inflammation. The complexity of macrophage phenotypes was observed in human plaques and atherosclerotic lesions in mouse models of atherosclerosis. Plaque macrophages were shown to exhibit a phenotypic range that is intermediate between two extremes, M1 (pro-inflammatory) and M2 (anti-inflammatory). Indeed, in atherosclerosis, macrophages demonstrate phenotypic plasticity to rapidly adjust to changing microenvironmental conditions. In the plaque, serum lipids, serum lipoproteins and various pro- or anti-inflammatory stimuli such as cytokines, chemokines and small bioactive molecules could greatly influence the macrophage phenotype inducing switch towards more proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory properties. Dynamic plasticity of macrophages is achieved by up-regulation and down-regulation of an overlapping set of transcription factors that drive macrophage polarization. Understanding of mechanisms of macrophage plasticity and resolving functional characteristics of distinct macrophage phenotypes should help in the development of new strategies for treatment of chronic inflammation in atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 2021 retraction. https: www.internationaljournalofcardiology.com article S0167-5273(20)34315-1 fulltext This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. A preliminary investigation was made into concerns of non-compliance with the University of New South Wales Research Code of Conduct and following in-depth internal analysis of the article, it has been determined that it contains plagiarised work. The copied content originally appeared in the following two papers: De Paoli, F., Staels, B., Chinetti-Gbaguidi, G. (2014). Macrophage phenotypes and their modulation in atherosclerosis. Circ. J., 78(8), 1775u20131781. Leitinger, N. Schulman, I. G. (2013). Phenotypic polarization of macrophages in atherosclerosis. Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., 33(6), 1120u20131126. ,