Figure 2.

Macrophage M1/M2 polarization and the inflammatory response in MI. MI-induced inflammatory response includes the initial proinflammatory and the subsequent anti-inflammatory reparative phase. In the proinflammatory phase, macrophages undergo M1 polarization while activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome increases the release of proinflammatory cytokines (such as IL-1β, IL-18, IL-1α, CCL21). In the subsequent anti-inflammatory reparative phase, macrophages undergo M2 polarization while anti-inflammatory factors (such as IL-10, IL6, TGF-β) are produced to execute the resolution of cardiac inflammation.