Human Monocyte Subsets and Phenotypes in Major Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cell Biology
• Pathophysiology

Background:

• Human monocytes comprise three main subsets: classical (CD14+CD16-), non-classical (CD14dimCD16+), and intermediate (CD14+CD16+).
• These subsets differ in surface marker expression and functional roles in health and disease.
• Monocyte plasticity is crucial for immune responses and disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the latest phenotypic classification of human monocytes.
• To explore the involvement of monocyte subsets in chronic human diseases.
• To identify monocytes as potential therapeutic targets.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on monocyte classification.
• Integration of data from single-cell transcriptomics and mass cytometry.
• Analysis of monocyte roles in various chronic inflammatory and degenerative diseases.

Main Results:

• Advanced technologies like single-cell transcriptomics and mass cytometry refine monocyte classification.
• Human monocyte subsets are implicated in obesity, atherosclerosis, COPD, lung fibrosis, lung cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.
• Monocyte heterogeneity contributes significantly to disease pathogenesis.

Conclusions:

• Novel technologies enhance the understanding of human monocyte subsets.
• Monocytes are critical players in a spectrum of chronic human diseases.
• Targeting specific monocyte populations presents a promising therapeutic strategy.