1. Macrophages (m? For short) are a kind of white blood cells located in tissues, which originate from monocytes, and monocytes are derived from precursor cells in bone marrow.
2. Macrophages and monocytes are phagocytes and participate in non-specific defense (innate immunity) and specific defense (cellular immunity) in vertebrates.
3. Their main function is to phagocytosis (i.e. phagocytosis and digestion) of cell fragments and pathogens in the form of fixed cells or free cells, and activate lymphocytes or other immune cells to respond to pathogens.
4. Macrophages belong to immune cells and have many functions. They are important objects in the study of cell phagocytosis, cellular immunity and molecular immunology.
5. Macrophages can be easily obtained, cultured and purified.
6. Macrophages are nonproductive cell groups, which can live for 2-3 weeks under suitable conditions. They are mostly used for primary culture and are difficult to survive for a long time.
