Survival of monocytes and macrophages and their role in health and disease.
Macrophages are versatile cells involved in health and disease. These cells act as scavengers to rid the body of apoptotic and senescent cells and debris through their phagocytic function. Although this is a primary function of these cells, macrophages play vital roles in inflammation and repair of damaged tissue. Macrophages secrete a large number of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors that recruit and activate a variety of cell types to inflamed tissue compartments. These cells are also critical in cell-mediated immunity and in the resolution of inflammation. Since macrophages, and their precursors, blood monocytes, are important in regulating and resolving inflammation, prolonged cellular survival in tissue compartments could be detrimental. Thus, factors that regulate the fate of monocyte and macrophage survival are important in cellular homeostasis. In this article, we will explore stimuli and the intracellular pathways important in regulating macrophage survival and implication in human disease.
Hunter
Melissa
M
Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine and the Center for Critical Care Medicine, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
Wang
Yijie
Y
Eubank
Tim
T
Baran
Christopher
C
Nana-Sinkam
Patrick
P
Marsh
Clay
C
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines; D014157:Transcription Factors; D016173:Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor