IMR Press / FBL / Volume 14 / Issue 11 / DOI: 10.2741/3514

Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark (FBL) is published by IMR Press from Volume 26 Issue 5 (2021). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with Frontiers in Bioscience.

Article
Survival of monocytes and macrophages and their role in health and disease
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1 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
Front. Biosci. (Landmark Ed) 2009, 14(11), 4079–4102; https://doi.org/10.2741/3514
Published: 1 January 2009
Abstract

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.

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