Year: 1997
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Macrophages were described by Elie Metchnikoff in 1884 as a population of phagocytic\ncells present in loose connective tissue'. Initially macrophages were classified as\nmembers of the reticuloendothelial system\n, which included reticular cells, endothelial\ncells, fibroblasts, histiocytes and monocytes. However, after recognition of the bone\nmarrow origin of macrophages the concept of the mononuclear phagocyte system has\nbeen developed which comprises mature macrophages as well as their precursors in\nperipheral blood and bone marrow. The cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system\nform a heterogeneous popUlation of cells which are widely distributed throughout the\nbody (Table I) and which have been shown to play essential roles in a broad variety of\nbiological functions (Table 2) (reviewed in 6-9). To date, there is no single characteristic\nwhich marks all members of the mononuclear phagocyte system. Cells are instead\nassigned to the system on the basis of a combination of several characteristics. The lack\nof a definite mononuclear phagocyte marker and the extensive heterogeneity among\nmembers of the system has sometimes made it difficult to detennine whether a\nparticular cell type belongs to the mononuclear phagocyte system or not. For example,\nin the past there has been much debate whether dendritic cells (Langerhans cells, interdigitating\ncells, veiled cells, and ill vitro dendritic cells 10) should be included in the\nmononuclear phagocyte system (reviewed in 11). Recently, an increasing amount of\ndata has accumulated supporting the view that at least part of the dendritic cells do\nindeed belong to the mononuclear phagocyte system (reviewed in 12). This will be\ndiscussed in more detail later in this chapter.
Author: Marella de Bruijn
Language: English
Topic: Immune cells in cancer
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1573636219