Monocyte maturation

Describe the general characteristics of monocyte maturation (size, N:C ratio, nucleus shape, chromatin, cytoplasm)

size: generally stays the same size until activated into macrophage

N:C ratio: high to low

Nucleus shape: regular to irregular, then back to regular as a macrophage

Chromatin: fine to coarse, no clumps to clumps

Cytoplasm: deep basophilic blue to light blue

What are the four stages involved in monocyte maturation?

monoblast, promonocyte, monocyte, and macrophage

Describe the general characteristics of a monoblast (size, N:C ratio, nucleus shape, chromatin, cytoplasm)

size: 12-20 um

N:C ratio: high

nucleus shape: fairly round

Chromatin: loose, nucleoli visible

cytoplasm: deep basophilic blue, NO granules

Describe the general characteristics of a promonocyte (size, N:C ratio, nucleus shape, chromatin, cytoplasm).

Size: 15-20 um

N:C ratio: moderate

Nucleus shape: oval and indented, usually has fold lines (characteristic!)

Chromatin: fine

Cytoplasm: ground glass, some azurophilic granules (pink colored)

*The promonocyte should also conform around RBCs

Describe the general characteristics of a monocyte (size, N:C ratio, nucleus shape, chromatin, cytoplasm).

size: 14-20 um

N:C ratio: lower-moderate

Nucleus shape: irregular, lobulated, can really be any kind of shape as long as it is one entity

Chromatin: parallel strands

Cytoplasm: blue-gray, maybe some faint nucleoli, vacuoles are present

Describe the general characteristics of a macrophage (size, N:C ratio, nucleus shape, chromatin, cytoplasm).

size: <50 um

N:C ratio: low

Nucleus shape: fairly oval and centered within the cell

Chromatin: lighter, due to activation

Cytoplasm: very foamy looking, tons of vacuoles, blue-gray

What are the functions of macrophages?

Main: To phagocytose material

• increased metabolism

• increased lysosomes for breakdown

• mobility

Where can we find macrophages in the tissues?

pulmonary alveoli, peritoneal cavity, spleen, lymph nodes

In which tissues are macrophages NON-motile?

liver, spleen, bone marrow