Mononuclear phagocyte system

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In immunology, the mononuclear phagocyte system or mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS) also known as the reticuloendothelial system or macrophage system is a part of the immune system that consists of the phagocytic cells [1] located in reticular connective tissue. The cells are primarily monocytes and macrophages, and they accumulate in lymph nodes and the spleen. The Kupffer cells of the liver and tissue histiocytes are also part of the MPS. The mononuclear phagocyte system and the monocyte macrophage system refer to two different entities, often mistakenly understood as one.[ citation needed ]

Contents

"Reticuloendothelial system" is an older term for the mononuclear phagocyte system, but it is used less commonly now, as it is understood that most endothelial cells are not macrophages. [2]

The mononuclear phagocyte system is also a somewhat dated concept trying to combine a broad range of cells, and should be used with caution. [3]

Cell types and locations

The spleen is the second largest unit of the mononuclear phagocyte system. The monocyte is formed in the bone marrow and transported by the blood; it migrates into the tissues, where it transforms into a histiocyte or a macrophage.

Macrophages are diffusely scattered in the connective tissue and in liver (Kupffer cells), spleen and lymph nodes (sinus histiocytes), lungs (alveolar macrophages), and central nervous system (microglia). The half-life of blood monocytes is about 1 day, whereas the life span of tissue macrophages is several months or years. The mononuclear phagocyte system is part of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. The mononuclear phagocyte system has an important role in defense against microorganisms, including mycobacteria, fungi, bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. Macrophages remove senescent erythrocytes, leukocytes, and megakaryocytes by phagocytosis and digestion.

Cell NameLocation
Adipose tissue macrophages Adipose tissue
Monocyte Bone Marrow/Blood
Kupffer cell Liver
Sinus histiocytes Lymph node
Alveolar macrophage (dust cell) Pulmonary alveolus of Lungs
Tissue macrophages (Histiocyte) leading to Giant cells Connective Tissues
Langerhans cell Skin and Mucosa
Microglia Central Nervous System
Hofbauer cell Placenta
Intraglomerular mesangial cell [4] Kidney
Epithelioid histiocyte Granulomas
Red Pulp Macrophage (Sinusoidal lining cells)Red pulp of Spleen
Peritoneal macrophages Peritoneal cavity
Osteoclast Bone

Functions

Hematopoiesis

The various cell types of the mononuclear phagocyte system are all part of the myeloid lineage from the CFU-GEMM (precursor of granulocytes, erythrocytes, monocytes and megakaryocytes)

Related Research Articles

Haematopoiesis Formation of blood cellular components

Haematopoiesis is the formation of blood cellular components. All cellular blood components are derived from haematopoietic stem cells. In a healthy adult person, approximately 1011–1012 new blood cells are produced daily in order to maintain steady state levels in the peripheral circulation.

Spleen Internal organ in all vertebrates

The spleen is an organ found in all vertebrates. Similar in structure to a large lymph node, it acts primarily as a blood filter. The word spleen comes from Ancient Greek σπλήν (splḗn).

Lymphatic system Organ system in vertebrates

The lymphatic system, or lymphoid system, is an organ system in vertebrates that is part of the immune system, and complementary to the circulatory system. It consists of a large network of lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, lymphatic or lymphoid organs, and lymphoid tissues. The vessels carry a clear fluid called lymph back towards the heart, for re-circulation.

Macrophage Type of white blood cell

Macrophages are a type of white blood cell of the immune system that engulfs and digests pathogens, such as cancer cells, microbes, cellular debris, and foreign substances, which do not have proteins that are specific to healthy body cells on their surface. The process is called phagocytosis, which acts to defend the host against infection and injury.

Erythropoiesis Process which produces red blood cells

Erythropoiesis is the process which produces red blood cells (erythrocytes), which is the development from erythropoietic stem cell for mature red blood cell.

Kupffer cell

Kupffer cells, also known as stellate macrophages and Kupffer–Browicz cells, are specialized cells localized in the liver within the lumen of the liver sinusoids and are adhesive to their endothelial cells which make up the blood vessel walls. Kupffer cells comprise the largest population of tissue-resident macrophages in the body. Gut bacteria, bacterial endotoxins, and microbial debris transported to the liver from the gastrointestinal tract via the portal vein will first come in contact with Kupffer cells, the first immune cells in the liver. It is because of this that any change to Kupffer cell functions can be connected to various liver diseases such as alcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis, intrahepatic cholestasis, steatohepatitis, activation or rejection of the liver during liver transplantation and liver fibrosis. They form part of the mononuclear phagocyte system.

A histiocyte is a vertebrate cell that is part of the mononuclear phagocyte system. The mononuclear phagocytic system is part of the organism's immune system. The histiocyte is a tissue macrophage or a dendritic cell. Part of their job is to clear out neutrophils once they've reached the end of their lifespan.

Hemosiderin

Hemosiderin or haemosiderin is an iron-storage complex that is composed of partially digested ferritin and lysosomes. The breakdown of heme gives rise to biliverdin and iron. The body then traps the released iron and stores it as hemosiderin in tissues. Hemosiderin is also generated from the abnormal metabolic pathway of ferritin.

Extramedullary hematopoiesis Medical condition

Extramedullary hematopoiesis refers to hematopoiesis occurring outside of the medulla of the bone. It can be physiologic or pathologic.

Malignant histiocytosis is a rare hereditary disease found in the Bernese Mountain Dog and humans, characterized by histiocytic infiltration of the lungs and lymph nodes. The liver, spleen, and central nervous system can also be affected. Histiocytes are a component of the immune system that proliferate abnormally in this disease. In addition to its importance in veterinary medicine, the condition is also important in human pathology.

Red pulp Type of tissue in the spleen

The red pulp of the spleen is composed of connective tissue known also as the cords of Billroth and many splenic sinusoids that are engorged with blood, giving it a red color. Its primary function is to filter the blood of antigens, microorganisms, and defective or worn-out red blood cells.

In anatomy and histology, the term wandering cell is used to describe cells that are found in connective tissue, but are not fixed in place. This term is used occasionally and usually refers to blood leukocytes in particular mononuclear phagocytes. Frequently, the term refers to circulating macrophages and has been used also for stationary macrophages fixed in tissues (histiocytes), which are sometimes referred to as "resting wandering cells".

A complement receptor is a membrane-bound receptor belonging to the complement system, which is part of the innate immune system. Complement receptors bind effector protein fragments that are produced in response to antigen-antibody complexes or damage-associated molecules. Complement receptor activation contributes to the regulation of inflammation, leukocyte extravasation, and phagocytosis; it also contributes to the adaptive immune response. Different complement receptors can participate in either the classical complement pathway, the alternative complement pathway, or both.

CD68 Mammalian protein found in Homo sapiens

CD68 is a protein highly expressed by cells in the monocyte lineage, by circulating macrophages, and by tissue macrophages.

Epithelioid cell

According to a common point of view epithelioid cells are derivatives of activated macrophages resembling epithelial cells.

White blood cell Type of cells of the immunological system

White blood cells, also called leukocytes or leucocytes, are the cells of the immune system that are involved in protecting the body against both infectious disease and foreign invaders. All white blood cells are produced and derived from multipotent cells in the bone marrow known as hematopoietic stem cells. Leukocytes are found throughout the body, including the blood and lymphatic system.

In anatomy the term "reticuloendothelial system", often associated nowadays with the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), was originally launched by the beginning of the 20th century to denote a system of specialised cells that effectively clear colloidal vital stains from the blood circulation. The term is still used today, but its meaning has changed over the years, and is used inconsistently in present-day literature. Although RES is commonly associated exclusively with macrophages, recent research has revealed that the cells that accumulate intravenously administrated vital stain belong to a highly specialised group of cells called scavenger endothelial cells (SECs), that are not macrophages.

Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) form the lining of the smallest blood vessels in the liver, also called the hepatic sinusoids. LSECs are highly specialized endothelial cells with characteristic morphology and function. They constitute an important part of the reticuloendothelial system (RES).

Dermal macrophage

Dermal macrophages are macrophages in the skin that facilitate skin homeostasis by mediating wound repair, hair growth, and salt balance. Their functional role in these processes is the mediator of inflammation. They can acquire an M1 or M2 phenotype to promote or suppress an inflammatory response, thereby influencing other cells' activity via the production of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokines. Dermal macrophages' ability to acquire pro-inflammatory properties also potentiates them in cancer defence. M1 macrophages can suppress tumour growth in the skin by their pro-inflammatory properties. However, M2 macrophages support tumour growth and invasion by the production of Th2 cytokines such as TGFβ and IL-10. Thus, the exact contribution of each phenotype to cancer defence and the skin's homeostasis is still unclear.

References

  1. Mononuclear+Phagocyte+System at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
  2. Inderbir Singh (2006). Textbook of human histology. Jaypee Brothers Publishers. pp. 90–. ISBN   978-81-8061-809-3 . Retrieved 12 November 2010.
  3. Hume, David A (2006-02-01). "The mononuclear phagocyte system". Current Opinion in Immunology. Innate immunity / Antigen processing and recognition. 18 (1): 49–53. doi:10.1016/j.coi.2005.11.008. PMID   16338128.
  4. Lote, Christopher J. Principles of Renal Physiology, 5th edition. Springer. p. 37.