Macrophage (redirected from armed macrophages)

macrophage /mac·ro·phage/ (mak´ro-faj) any of the large, mononuclear, highly phagocytic cells derived from monocytes that occur in the walls of blood vessels (adventitial cells) and in loose connective tissue (histiocytes, phagocytic reticular cells). They are components of the reticuloendothelial system. Macrophages are usually immobile but become actively mobile when stimulated by inflammation; they also interact with lymphocytes to facilitate antibody production.

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alveolar macrophage  one of the rounded granular, mononuclear phagocytes within the alveoli of the lungs that ingest inhaled particulate matter.

armed macrophages  those capable of inducing cytotoxicity as a consequence of antigen-binding by cytophilic antibodies on their surfaces or by factors derived from T lymphocytes.

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mac·ro·phage (mkr-fj)

n.

Any of the large phagocytic cells found in the reticuloendothelial system.

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macro·phagic (-fjk) adj.

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Macrophage

A large white blood cell, found primarily in the bloodstream and connective tissue, that helps the body fight off infections by ingesting the disease-causing organism. HIV can infect and kill macrophages.

Mentioned in: AIDS, AIDS Tests, Echinacea, Leishmaniasis

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macrophage (mak´rfāj),

n any phagocytic cell of the reticuloendothelial system including specialized Kupffer's cells in the liver and spleen, and histiocytes in loose connective tissue. See also histiocyte and monocyte.

macrophage, alveolar,

n a dust cell, coniophage, a vigorously phagocytic macrophage on the epithelial surface of lung alveoli where it ingests inhaled particulate matter.

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macrophage

any of the large, mononuclear, highly phagocytic cells derived from bone marrow cells, promonocytes, the progeny of which, the monocytes, enter the bloodstream, where they stay for a few days before entering the tissues and developing into macrophages. They are components of the monocyte-macrophage system. Macrophages are usually immobile but become actively mobile when stimulated by inflammation, immune cytokines and microbial products. They are an important class of antigen presenting cells (APCs). See also immunity.

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activated macrophage

under the influence of cytokines, particularly ?-interferon and interleukin 4, released by antigen-stimulated Th1 lymphocytes, resting macrophages are activated whereby they become larger, more motile, stickier, express more MHCII proteins on their surface, contain more lysosomes and lysosomal enzymes, and secrete a variety of substances including interleukin 1, tumor necrosis factors; they have increased phagocytic activity and increased killing via reactive oxygen intermediates, collagenases and lysosomal enzymes. Called also angry macrophage.

macrophage activating factor (MAF)

a lymphokine produced by T lymphocytes following in vitro, probably ?-interferon, antigenic stimulation that activates macrophages.

alveolar m's

rounded, granular, mononuclear phagocytes within the alveoli of the lungs that ingest inhaled particulate matter.

angry macrophage

see activated macrophage (above).

armed m's

those capable of inducing cytotoxicity as a consequence of binding antibodies via Fc receptors on their surfaces or by factors derived from T lymphocytes (specific macrophage arming factor [SMAF]).

macrophage chemotactic factor (MCF)

a lymphokine that attracts macrophages.

macrophage colony-stimulating factor

see colony-stimulating factors.

macrophage inhibition factor (MIF)

a lymphokine that inhibits macrophage migration, causing them to accumulate at the site of antigen.

specific macrophage arming factor (SMAF)

a lymphokine that stimulates macrophage cytotoxic activity.