There is evidence of the critical role of efferocytosis, the clearance of apoptotic cells (ACs) by phagocytes, in vascular cell homeostasis and protection against atherosclerosis. Specific microRNAs (miRs) can regulate atherogenesis by controlling the accumulation of professional phagocytes (e.g., macrophages) and nonprofessional phagocytes (i.e., neighboring tissue cells with the ability to acquire a macrophage-like phenotype) within the arterial wall, the differentiation of phagocytes into foam cells, the efferocytosis of apoptotic foam cells by phagocytes, and the phagocyte-mediated inflammatory response. A better understanding of the mechanisms involved in miR-regulated phagocyte function might lead to novel therapeutic antiatherosclerotic strategies. In this review, we try to shed light on the relationship between miRs and cellular players in the process of efferocytosis in the context of atherosclerotic plaque and their potential as molecular targets for novel antiatherosclerotic therapies.

中文翻译：

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Efferocytosis 和动脉粥样硬化：MicroRNAs 对吞噬细胞功能的调节

有证据表明胞吞作用、吞噬细胞对凋亡细胞 (AC) 的清除、血管细胞稳态和防止动脉粥样硬化的关键作用。特定的 microRNA (miRs) 可以通过控制动脉壁内专职吞噬细胞（如巨噬细胞）和非专职吞噬细胞（即具有获得巨噬细胞样表型能力的邻近组织细胞）的积累来调节动脉粥样硬化的形成，吞噬细胞分化为泡沫细胞，吞噬细胞对凋亡泡沫细胞的胞吞作用，以及吞噬细胞介导的炎症反应。更好地了解参与 miR 调节的吞噬细胞功能的机制可能会导致新的抗动脉粥样硬化治疗策略。在这次审查中，