The role of macrophages in cardiovascular disease is an increasing topic of interest because of their divergent functions, including contributions to inflammation, healing, regeneration, and remodeling. These divergent functions arise due to the numerous types of macrophages, which can rapidly adapt to the microenvironment and signaling pathway changes. Macrophages are also a key interface between vascular disease and risk factors (e.g., obesity, diabetes, and autoimmune conditions).

This special issue will focus on the distinctive roles of macrophages and their dynamic cell behaviors following vascular injury. It will highlight advances in macrophage targeted therapy for vascular diseases, review biomarkers and new technologies for identification of phenotypes and monitoring response, and explore evidence for genetic and environmental modifiers of this response. This special issue welcomes the submission of original research contributions and review articles.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Macrophages as drivers and regulators of vascular diseases
• Macrophage adaptation to environmental perturbations in blood vessels
• Macrophage homeostasis and polarization in the context of vascular disease
• Origins of macrophages in vascular disease
• Structural roles of macrophages in vascular remodelling
• Distinct markers and gene expression analysis to characterize macrophage populations
• Impact of comorbidities on macrophage function
• Application of nanomaterials to vascular macrophages
• New and anticipated future therapies for vascular macrophage modulation