Monocyte

A monocyte is a type of leukocyte, or white blood cell. It is the largest type of white blood cell and is part of the innate immune system. Monocytes are produced in the bone marrow and released into the bloodstream, where they circulate for a relatively short period (around 1-3 days).

Their primary function is to migrate into tissues throughout the body and differentiate into macrophages or dendritic cells. Macrophages are phagocytic cells, meaning they engulf and digest cellular debris, pathogens, and other foreign substances. They also play a crucial role in presenting antigens to T cells, thereby activating the adaptive immune response. Dendritic cells are specialized antigen-presenting cells that are crucial for initiating T cell responses.

Monocytes are characterized by their large, kidney-bean-shaped nucleus and abundant cytoplasm containing granules. They play a vital role in inflammation, tissue repair, and immune surveillance. Elevated or decreased monocyte counts in the blood can indicate various medical conditions, including infections, inflammatory disorders, and certain types of cancer.