Macrophage functions in antimicrobial defense.

In the present short review article, we discuss some recent findings regarding the role of macrophages in antimicrobial defense. Problems that are briefly considered include the production of monocytes and its modification in infectious diseases; the role of circulating monocytes and "fixed" macrophages in the blood stream; emigration of monocytes from the vascular bed and their accumulation at sites of microbial attack; role of macrophages in immune responses; stimulation and activation of these cells including secretory functions; attachment to their surface and phagocytosis of microorganisms; microbicidal activities of macrophages; their role in granuloma formation; inherited and acquired deficiencies of macrophage functions. Emphasis is placed on currently unresolved problems.