Monocytes form in the bone marrow and are released into the blood.
They can also help support the removal of infected cells and aid in healing and repair of the body.
Certain health conditions can cause you to have too few or too many monocytes.
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For example, ahigh monocyte countin a blood test can happen with certain infections or blood cancers.
It can also be a sign of stress.
This article will go over the types of monocytes and their functions.
These different types of monocytes act differently in the body.
We know a lot more about mouse monocytes than we do about human monocytes.
“Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory are also applied to human monocytes.
What Is the Normal Range for Monocytes?
The normal range for monocytes in healthy adults is 2% to 8%.
The normal range for the absolute number of monocytes is 200-800 per cubic millimeter.
However, the lab that processes your blood sample might use different ranges to report your monocyte count.
If you aren’t sure if your levels are normal, ask your provider.
Monocytes also have other roles in infection and disease.
Thespleenhas all major types of mononuclearphagocytesin it, including macrophages, dendritic cells, and monocytes.
The spleen is an active site for theinnate immune system.
Monocytes and Innate Immunity
Innate immunity is theimmunitythat you are born with.
It’s not the same as the targetedimmunity you get from a vaccineor after recovering from an infectious illness.
The innate immune system works in a different way, includingphagocytosisand inflammation.
Macrophages can use phagocytosisa process by which they “eat” (engulf) and destroy debris and invaders.
They can also “retire” old, worn-out red blood cells through this process.
Compared to T-cells, macrophages are more immediately available to recognize and attack a new threat.
Other monocytes turn into dendritic cells in the tissues where they work with T lymphocytes.
Macrophages can also present antigens to T-cells.
However, dendritic cells are considered the “specialists” at this task.
You will also see what percentage of total white blood cells are monocytes.
People who are pregnant are often advised not to eat soft cheeses, which can have Listeria in them.
Acute monocytic leukemia is a form of acute myelogenous leukemia.
In this pop in, more than 80% of the disordered cells are monocytes.
These diseases are known as lymphoproliferative diseases.
The lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio may also help identify high-risk patients in diffuse largeB-cell lymphomaand untreatedmetastaticcolorectal cancer.
Summary
Monocytes are a throw in of white blood cell.
The function of monocytes is to be involved in the immune system.
Monocytes are also linked to certain medical conditions, including cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Infections can cause monocytes to increase.
Monocytopenia means you have lower-than-normal numbers of monocytes in your blood.
Monocytosis means the number of monocytes in your blood is higher than normal.
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