Monocytes

Monocytes are a type of white blood cell and part of the body’s innate immune system. Monocytes originate in the bone marrow and circulate in the bloodstream. Key functions of monocytes include:

• Phagocytosis: Like macrophages, monocytes can engulf and digest pathogens, dead cells, and debris.
• Differentiation: When monocytes migrate into tissues in response to infection or inflammation, they differentiate into either macrophages or dendritic cells to perform specialized immune functions.
• Cytokine secretion: Monocytes release signaling molecules (cytokines) that regulate inflammation and recruit other immune cells to infection sites.

Monocytes are crucial for initiating immune responses and maintaining tissue homeostasis.