Fig. 2

Advancements in the understanding of macrophage populations and functions after MI. According to the traditional view, macrophages were classified into two populations: pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages and reparative M2 macrophages. Initial investigations into cardiac macrophage populations after myocardial infarction (MI) seemed to support this established model. However, recent evidence, not only from heart but also from other tissues, has unveiled a remarkable heterogeneity and plasticity in macrophage development, phenotype, and function. The introduction of single-cell RNA sequencing has significantly advanced the understanding of distinct macrophage clusters and their phenotypes after MI. These emerging findings in macrophage biology have provided insight into the shortcomings of non-specific immunosuppressive strategies and have paved the way for novel therapeutic interventions targeting heart failure prevention following MI. Adapted from “Healthy vs. Diseased Heart (Layout)”, by BioRender.com (2020). Retrieved from https://app.biorender.com/biorender-templates