Monocytes and macrophages in cardiac injury and repair

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the major contributors to worldwide morbidity and mortality. It is atherosclerosis’ most dreadful complication and occurs after the supply of oxygenated blood to the heart is blocked. Understanding how cardiac tissue is injured and later regenerates is of crucial importance to improve the sequelae after the acute event. We now understand that the immune system substantially contributes to both the acute inflammatory response and the regenerative response that follow tissue injury after MI. In this review, we will focus on the role of monocytes and macrophages, which are cellular protagonists of the immune system, in acute cardiac injury and post-MI repair.