The Effect of IFNg Injection on the Activation of Monocytes and their Differentiation to Intestinal Macrophages

The immune system protects many organisms against bacteria, parasites and other pathogens. It is divided into two branches, determined by the speed and specificity of the reaction: adaptive Immunity which contains T and B cells, and innate Immunity which contains monocytes, macrophages and other cells. Monocytes are generated in the bone marrow, exit to the blood stream and can infiltrate into tissues where they differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells. Macrophages are the primary type of phagocytic cells in the immune system. They specialize in swallowing pathogens, bacteria and dead or damaged cells.

Interferon gamma (IFNγ) is a signaling molecule which is important for immune response by affecting several types of cells such as monocytes and macrophages.

While many studies examined the influence of IFNγ in the presence of pathogens, the effect of IFNγ without pathogenic interaction remains less clear. In this study, we examine the effect of IFNγ injection on the activation of monocytes and their differentiation to macrophages in the intestine of mice.