Macrophages

__BEZOBSAHU__ thumb|Macrophage Macrophages are cells of the immune system that arise from z monocytes by entering issues. They are professional phagocytes, ie. cells capable of phagocytosis. They are part of non-specific immunity. Participates in inflammatory reactions. thumb|The course of phagocytosis and antigen presentation

Development series
The myeloid progenitor in the bone marrow changes to a myeloid precursor. They pass from the marrow to the blood as immature cells destined to migrate from the blood to the tissues and body cavities, where they are transformed into tissue macrophages.

Tissue macrophages include:


 * Kupffer cells ;
 * histiocytes ;
 * osteoclasts ;
 * microglia.

Some macrophages become dendritic cells. Macrophages live a long time and go into different activation stages.

Function
thumb|550px|Cytokine interactions between cells of the immune system They phagocytose the remains of their own cells killed by apoptosis and necrosis. They kill both intracellular and extracellular bacteria. Macrophages are fully functional only after activation of the signals provided by T-lymfocytes in the form of cytokines (interferon-&gamma;, TNF). Their main functions include:


 * phagocytosis;
 * antigen presentation – presenting antigen to T-lymfocytes;
 * production of cytokines and modulators – IL-1, IL-8, IL-12, TNF, GM-CSF, interferons.

Various receptors and macromolecules (HLA class I. and II., complement receptors, Fc-receptors) are found on the surface of the macrophage.


 * Mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS)

Sometimes also referred to as RES (reticuloepithelial system). It is a set of all macrophages in different tissues. Their agreement with reticular tissues cells was presumed, but this has not been demonstrated.

Depending on the appearance of the granules that have been phagocytosed or in which organ the macrophages occur, they are called:


 * siderophages - phagocytosed hemoglobin (rusty pigment);
 * coniophages – in the lungs, phagocytosed dust (black amorphous pigment);
 * Kupffer cells – macrophages of the hepatic sinuses;
 * microglia – macrophages in CNS tissues.

Related Articles

 * Phagocytosis
 * Neutrophilic granulocytes
 * Hematopoiesis
 * Alveolo-capillary membrane
 * Granulomatous inflammation