Inherent Macrophage Defects in Mice

Macrophages represent a highly diverse population of “phagocytic monocytes,” capable of effecting a number of important biological functions. The ubiquitous nature of macrophages as a network of circulating and fixed scavengers within the tissues, combined with their complex phagocytic and detoxifying abilities, subserve their role as the primary host surveillance system. One major function of macrophages is to protect the host from harmful infectious agents, particularly in the early phases of infection, prior to the establishment of a specific immune response. To this end, highly differentiated or “activated” macrophages (Mackaness, 1969) are capable of killing intracellular parasites and tumor cells. In addition to the ability to deal directly with invading microorganisms, the macrophage has been shown to be the source of a number of “monokines” (substances synthesized by macrophages) such as lymphocyte-activating factor, prostaglandins, and certain complement components, each of which modulates the immune response. Moreover, macrophages have clearly been implicated as an essential accessory cell in the establishment of antigen-specific immune responses, and in some cases may act to suppress both humoral and cellular immune functions.KeywordsSpleen CellBacillus Calmette GuerinMixed Lymphocyte ReactionHairless MouseBeige MouseThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.