What are Monocytes?
Monocytes are a type of leukocyte or white blood cell which play a role in immune system function. Depending on a patient’s level of health, monocytes make up between one and three percent of the total white blood cells in the body. They can be counted as part of a blood test, and changes in their levels can indicate changes in a patient’s health. As a general rule, a low monocyte count is a good sign, and a high count indicates that a problem is present. These cells are made in the bone marrow, and they spread through the body in one to three days. They can develop into either dendritic cells or macrophages. Dendritic cells belong to a group of cells known as antigen presenting cells, because they acquire antigens and show them to T cells so that the T cells learn to recognize dangerous antigens. Dendritic cells typically present antigens to T cells before they are fully developed, so that the T cell can respond appropriately after it has been shown an antigen. Macrophages are cells w