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Updated: Jan 19, 2026
Characterization of Human Monocyte Subsets by Whole Blood Flow Cytometry Analysis
Published on: October 17, 2018
Human Monocyte Subsets and Phenotypes in Major Chronic Inflammatory Diseases
Theodore S Kapellos1, Lorenzo Bonaguro1, Ioanna Gemünd1
1Genomics and Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES), Bonn, Germany.
Insights
Human monocytes, classified by CD14 and CD16 markers, play key roles in chronic diseases. Understanding these immune cells offers new therapeutic targets for conditions like obesity and Alzheimer's disease.
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.
Abstract:
Human monocytes are divided in three major populations; classical (CD14+CD16-), non-classical (CD14dimCD16+), and intermediate (CD14+CD16+). Each of these subsets is distinguished from each other by the expression of distinct surface markers and by their functions in homeostasis and disease. In this review, we discuss the most up-to-date phenotypic classification of human monocytes that has been greatly aided by the application of novel single-cell transcriptomic and mass cytometry technologies. Furthermore, we shed light on the role of these plastic immune cells in already recognized and emerging human chronic diseases, such as obesity, atherosclerosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung fibrosis, lung cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. Our aim is to provide an insight into the contribution of human monocytes to the progression of these diseases and highlight their candidacy as potential therapeutic cell targets.
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