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Figure 1. Genealogy and nomenclature of the monocytes/macrophages lineage. The different tissue macrophages are also indicated, as well as their surface markers.
(Figure omitted. See article PDF.)
Figure 2. Potential biomarkers and biochemical characteristics of macrophages according to a classification based on three main populations with distinct functions. (A) Classically activated, (B) wound-healing and (C) regulatory macrophages. For each panel, the main biochemical feature is indicated in the middle of the circle. CCL: CC-chemokine ligand; CCR: CC-chemokine receptor; CXCL: CXC-chemokine ligand; CXCRL: CXC-chemokine receptor; DC: Dendritic cell; DCIR: DC immunoreceptor; HVEM; Herpesvirus entry mediator; IL-27Rα: IL-27 receptor α-chain; iNOS: Inducible nitric oxide synthase; ITIM: Immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibiting motif; NK: Natural killer; NO: Nitric oxide; RELMα: Resistin-like molecule-α; SPHK1: Sphingosine kinase 1; TLR: Toll-like receptor. Data taken from [7].
(Figure omitted. See article PDF.)
Figure 3. High-resolution 2D-PAGE maps obtained in our laboratory using human monocyte-derived macrophages before and after exposure to ferric nitrilotriacetic acid. Some differentially expressed proteins that have been identified are indicated in the boxes. The data shown are representative of the results of triplicate experiments performed on pooled samples. FeNTA: Ferric nitrilotriacetate.
(Figure omitted. See article PDF.)
Macrophages & their monocytic precursors: genealogy, nomenclature & functions
Macrophages are very heterogeneous and versatile cells that are present in virtually all tissues. They originate from the differentiation of circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (monocytes) that migrate into tissues under a variety of stimuli, including inflammation, infections and cell damage. According to their Greek-derived name (i.e., 'big eaters'), the traditional role of these cells has been linked to the phagocytosis of pathogens or cellular debris, and then to host defense and tissue repair. However, independent of frank inflammation or tissue damage, macrophages also play a vital role for tissue homeostasis by clearing apoptotic or senescent cells. For example, they remove approximately 2 ×10 11 senescent red blood cells from circulation each day, degrade hemoglobin and efficiently recycle the vast majority of iron needed for de novo erythropoiesis. The specialization of macrophages in particular microenvironments explains their heterogeneity. Resident macrophages can be classified according to the tissue where they operate into osteoclasts (bone), alveolar macrophages (lung), microglial cells (CNS), histiocytes (connective tissues), Kupffer cells (liver) and so on.
The 'genealogy'of this cell starts with a...