Spleen Macrophages: Population Composition and Functions

The heterogeneous population of macrophages in the spleen perform a variety of important functions. Studies of spleen macrophages have mostly been carried out in experimental models. Much remains unexplored. This review summarizes data on the characteristics of macrophages in different functional areas of the spleen in human beings and animals. The role of spleen macrophages in the utilization of senescent erythrocytes, iron metabolism, immunogenesis, immunosuppression, elimination of cells in the state of apoptosis, phagocytosis of hematogenous spread pathogens and the participation of tuftsin in this process, as well as the spleen role as a reservoir of monocytes involved in inflammation and regeneration are discussed. It was attempted to find data on the possible role of spleen macrophages in the rare occurrence of metastatic lesions in this organ. Some important but poorly studied functional aspects of human and animal spleen macrophages are discussed.