Scientists have long known that white blood cells called macrophages accumulate in the lungs of people suffering from pulmonary fibrosis. What role macrophages play in developing the often fatal lung disease is less clear.
Apr 12, 2024
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Researchers from University of Tsukuba have elucidated the molecular mechanism by which macrophages, a type of immune cell, control heat production in brown adipose tissue to increase the body temperature in response to cold.
Mar 26, 2024
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Macrophages (Greek: big eaters, from makros "large" + phagein "eat"; abbr. MΦ) are white blood cells within tissues, produced by the division of monocytes. Human macrophages are about 21 micrometres in diameter. Monocytes and macrophages are phagocytes, acting in both non-specific defense (or innate immunity) as well as to help initiate specific defense mechanisms (or adaptive immunity) of vertebrate animals. Their role is to phagocytose (engulf and then digest) cellular debris and pathogens either as stationary or as mobile cells, and to stimulate lymphocytes and other immune cells to respond to the pathogen. They can be identified by specific expression of a number of proteins including CD14, CD11b, F4/80 (mice)/EMR1 (human), Lysozyme M, MAC-1/MAC-3 and CD68 by flow cytometry or immunohistochemical staining. They move by action of Amoeboid movement.
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