Macrophages (CD68s)

Macrophages are the most important phagocytes in vivo (6). They undergo profound metabolic reprogramming upon sensing infectious and sterile stimuli (3). Macrophages respond to their environment and become activated. They then produce cytokines that affect the biology of other cells. This process can be influenced by the direct action of danger signals and cytokines produced by different cell types, immune and non-immune. Physiologically, they are crucial: eliminating microbial infections and dead cells, initiation and resolution of inflammation, and tissue homeostas…