Monocyte

 

Monocytes

Monocytes are highly mobile phagocytes.Monocytes function mainly as phagocytic cells.

Shape and size;  Monocytes are mononuclear cells. They have larger, folded (kidneys or horse shoe shaped) single nucleus.

Monocytes are largest of WBCs 14-19 micrometer in diameter.

Monocytes are important in long term clean up of debris in an area of injury.

Monocytes normally remain in circulation for about 3 days, leave the circulation, become macrophages and migrate through various tissues.

Gather at site of infection or inflammation.

Which lines the vascular portion of the liver, lungs,lymph nodes, thymus gland and bone marrow.

Example, alveolar macrophages, spleen macrophages and puffer cells in liver.

Function of Monocytes

1. Healing and repair from site of vascular injury and infection.

2. Important role in immune system and immune response by processing specific antigen.

3. Host innate immunity against pathogen

4. Fight off bacteria, Viruses, and Fungi

5. Actively phagocytic

6. Fight against infection

7. Macrophages and monocytes phagocytize microorganism and cellular debris

8. Monocytes and macrophage in lung regulating immune response during homeostasis and inflammation.

9. Dendritic cells and Monocytes,

10. Essential role in innate immunity