Chapter category: Stem Cells
Cytokines, Receptors and Signalling Pathways Involved in Macrophage and Dendritic Cell Development
Chapter authors:
Andrew J. Hapel and E. Richard Stanley
The haematopoietic system produces a wide variety of new functional cells as they are needed, including monocytes, macrophages and myeloid dendritic cells. Macrophages and dendritic cells are specialised for phagocytosis, tissue remodelling and antigen processing and presentation, as we will discuss later. They are derived from primitive precursor cells that can be grown in vitro or in vivo, and which replenish the entire haematopoietic compartment throughout life.
