C57BL/6 Mouse Bone Marrow Macrophages is a type of phagocyte that engulfs and digests pathogens and apoptotic cells. Macrophages are produced by the differentiation of monocytes, which turn into macrophages when they leave the blood. These macrophages are found in virtually all tissues where they patrol for potential pathogens by amoeboid movement. They have various forms throughout the body, such as histiocytes, Kupffer cells, alveolar macrophages, microglia, etc., but all are part of the mononuclear phagocyte system. In addition to phagocytosis, they play a key role in non-specific defense (innate immunity) and also help to initiate specific defense mechanisms (adaptive immunity) by recruiting other immune cells.
