Monocytes

Monocytes are a type of leukocyte, or white blood cell. They are the largest type of leukocyte and can differentiate into macrophages and myeloid lineage dendritic cells. As a part of the immune system, monocytes affect the process of adaptive immunity.

Structure

Monocytes are produced by the bone marrow from stem cells. They have a large smooth nucleus, a large area of cytoplasm, and numerous internal vesicles for processing foreign material.

Function

Monocytes are part of the innate immune system due to their role in immune surveillance. They remove dead cell material, destroy cancer cells, and regulate immune responses and tissue repair processes. They are often the first cells to arrive at the site of an infection, where they differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells to elicit an immune response.

Clinical significance

Abnormal monocyte counts can be a sign of a disease. High monocyte counts (monocytosis) can indicate chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, blood disorders, and cancer. Low monocyte counts (monocytopenia) can result from bone marrow damage or failure and certain forms of leukemia.

See also

• Leukocyte
• Macrophage
• Dendritic cell
• Innate immune system
• Adaptive immune system

References

Monocytes Resources
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