Physiologie des cellules monocytaires et macrophagiques

Mammal mononuclear phagocytes display key functions at the tissue level from (a) tissues shaping, (b) maintenance of their homeostasis, (c) physiological remodelling, to (d) tissue repair process. These processes highlight the ability of phagocytic cells to clear apoptotic cells and to produce a great deal of mediators active on leukocytic and non leukocytic cells within the extra vascular space. Phagocytic cells are able to respond to a variety of constitutive and inducible signals that account for their high functional plasticity at the tissue level. The parasitic microorganisms (especially intracellular parasites) - whether prokaryotic or eukaryotic - subvert these physiological functions before most of their progenies become the targets of microbicidal activated mononuclear phagocytes.