Bone marrow transplantation modulates tissue macrophage phenotype and enhances cardiac recovery after subsequent acute myocardial infarction

•Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) alters monocyte/macrophage polarisation.•M2 macrophages are increased in mouse myocardium after BMT.•Mice that have undergone BMT display reduced remodelling after MI.•Altered macrophage polarisation after BMT may exert protective effects.•These effects need to be considered in experiments involving BMT.