Innate immune cells including macrophages and neutrophils have unique properties that allows them to quickly accumulate in large numbers at the site of infection or injury. A new study establishes that macrophage in the adult ischemic muscle induce a phenotype switch into mural cells to support restoration of functional blood flow and thereby promote healing. This finding pinpoints macrophages as a potential target for therapeutically enhancing vascular integrity and healing of ischemic injuries.