title: Murine Monocytes: Origins, Subsets, Fates, and Functions.
abstract: Monocytes are short-lived mononuclear phagocytes that circulate in the bloodstream and comprise two main subpopulations that in the mouse are best defined by the Ly6C marker. Intravascular functions of "classical" Ly6C+ monocytes and their interactions with other lymphoid and myeloid leukocytes in the circulation remain poorly understood. Rather, these cells are known to efficiently extravasate into tissues. Indeed, Ly6C+ monocytes and their descendants have emerged as a third, highly plastic and dynamic cellular system that complements the two classical, tissue-resident mononuclear phagocyte compartments, i.e., macrophages and dendritic cells, on demand. Following recruitment to injured tissue, Ly6C+ monocytes respond to local cues and can critically contribute to the initiation and resolution of inflammatory reactions. The second main murine monocyte subset, Ly6C- cells, derive in steady state from Ly6C+ monocytes and remain in the vasculature, where the cells act as scavengers. Moreover, a major fraction of Ly6C- monocytes adheres to the capillary endothelium and patrols the vessel wall for surveillance. Given the central role of monocytes in homeostasis and pathology, in-depth study of this cellular compartment can be highly informative on the health state of the organism and provides an attractive target for therapeutic intervention.
authors: Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Mildner
authors: Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
authors: Goran
authors: G
authors: Marinkovic
authors: Department of Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
authors: Steffen
authors: S
authors: Jung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice / Q000097:blood*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*