| | Phenotype | Induction | Markers | Secreted molecules | Functions | Role in atherosclerosis |
| | M1 (human, mouse) | IFN-γ, TNF-α, LPS, and other TRL-mediated stimuli | IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-23, TNF-α, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 | IL-6, IL-10 (low), IL-12 (high), IL-23, TNF-α, iNOS, and ROS | Th1 response, antitumor | Plaque progression, maintaining inflammatory response | | M2a (human, mouse) | IL-4, IL-13 | Human: MR, IL1RN
Mouse: Arg-1, FIZZ1, and Ym1/2 | IL-10, TGF-β, CCL17, and CCL22 | Tissue repair and remodelling | | | M2b (human, mouse) | IL-1β, LPS | IL-10 (high), IL-12 (low) | IL-6, IL-10 (high), IL-12 (low), and TNF-α | Immune regulatory functions | Enriched in regressing plaques in humans and mice | | M2c (human, mouse) | IL-10, TGF-β, and glucocorticoids | Human: MR
Mouse: Arg-1 | IL-10, TGF-β, and PTX3 | Phagocytosis, apoptotic cell clearance | | | M2d (mouse) | TLR + A2R ligands | IL-12 (low), TNF-α (low) | IL-10, VEGF, and iNOS | Angiogenesis | Present in murine plaques | | M4 (human) | CXCL4 | MR, MMP7, and S100A8 | IL-6, TNF-α, and MMP12 | Weak phagocytosis | Minimal foam cell formation, potentially proatherogenic | | Mox | Oxidized LDL | HMOX-1, Nrf2, Srxn1, and Txnrd1 | IL-1β, IL-10 | Weak phagocytosis | Proatherogenic properties in mice | | HA-mac (human) | Haemoglobin/
haptoglobin | CD163 (high), HLA-DR (low) | HMOX-1 | Haemoglobin clearance | Atheroprotective | | M (Hb) (human) | Haemoglobin/
haptoglobin | MR, CD163 | ABCA1, ABCG1, and LXRα | Cholesterol efflux, atheroprotective | | Mhem (human, mouse) | Heme | ATF1, CD163 | LXRβ | Erythrocyte phagocytosis | Atheroprotective |
|
|
