Fig. 2.
Time course of inflammation and healing after myocardial infarction in mice. The acute inflammatory response is characterized by infiltration with M1 macrophages (Mɸ1), Ly6Chigh monocytes, and neutrophils. The main characteristics of the healing phase are infiltration with M2 macrophages (Mɸ2), Ly6Clow monocytes and myofibroblasts, which contribute to wound repair, neovascularization, limitation of tissue damage, and reparative fibrosis of the infarct zone. Chronic inflammation might result from persistent inflammation following the healing phase or a second boost of inflammation. Note that the categorization of macrophages into “M1” and “M2” subtypes is an oversimplification and that the different phases require a greater time span in larger animals and humans. LV left-ventricular