Circulating CX3CR1 + CD163 + M2 monocytes markedly elevated and correlated with cardiac markers in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Vulnerable plaques have been generally recognized to play a role in the pathogenesis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), however, the role of circulating CX3CR1 CD163 M2 monocytes has not been studied properly. We aim to evaluate the features of CX3CR1 CD163 M2 monocytes and its relationship with cardiac specific markers in AMI patients. The circulating M2 monocytes were identified in AMI patients (n=35) and healthy controls (HCs, n=10) by flow cytometry using two staining methods: CD68 CD163 (cytoplasmic staining) and CX3CR1 CD163 (surface staining). CX3CR1 monocytes were purified by magnetic cell sorting. The expression level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and arginase-1 (Arg-1) were measured by real-time quantitative PCR and Western Blot in CX3CR1 monocytes. Circulating M2 monocytes extremely expanded in AMI patients compared with HCs (P