What is the Clinical Relevance of Mononuclear Phagocytes?
Mononuclear phagocytes play a significant role in various clinical conditions. Their dysfunction or overactivation can contribute to diseases such as chronic inflammation, autoimmune disorders, and infections. For example, in atherosclerosis, macrophages ingest oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) to form foam cells, a key event in plaque formation.
