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Monocytes
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
Monocytes are formed in the red bone marrow from monoblasts. After exiting the bone marrow, where unlike granulocytes they do not form a marrow reserve, monocytes circulate in the blood from 36 to 104 hours, and then leave in the tissues. 7 × 10 6 monocytes leave the blood in the tissue for 1 h . In tissues, monocytes differentiate into organo- and tissue-specific macrophages. The extravascular pool of monocytes is 25 times greater than the circulating one.
The system of mononuclear phagocytes unites various types of cells involved in the protective reactions of the body. Macrophages play an important role in the processes of phagocytosis. They remove from the body dying cells, remnants of destroyed cells, denatured protein, bacteria and Arg-AT complexes. Macrophages are involved in the regulation of hematopoiesis, immune response, hemostasis, lipid and iron metabolism.
Reference values of absolute and relative monocytes in blood
|
Age |
Absolute amount, × 10 9 / l |
Relative quantity,% |
|
12 months |
0.05-1.1 |
2-7 |
|
4 years |
0-0.8 |
2-7 |
|
10 years |
0-0.8 |
1-6 |
|
21 year |
0-0.8 |
1-8 |
|
Adults |
0-0.8 |
1-8 |
The causes of increase and decrease in monocytes
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