Role of monocyte/macrophage population in immune response.

The central role of macrophages in host defence against infection and malignancy and processes such as atherosclerosis, makes macrophage biology a fascinating area for research in immunology and cell biology. The endocytic and phagocytic machinery of macrophages is particularly potent and their secretory potential is large and diverse. Studies of cell surface receptors and their role in antigen presentation, microbicidal and tumouricidal activity are actively researched and progress is now being made in defining receptors responsible for monocyte/macrophage cell adhesion within the immune system. This short-review highlights the recent advances in macrophage biology.