Reticuloendothelial System Cells (RES Cells)

Reticuloendothelial cells, now largely referred to as the mononuclear phagocyte system, are a distributed network of phagocytic cells including monocytes, macrophages, and specialized endothelial cells like Kupffer cells. They are primarily responsible for phagocytosis of foreign materials, clearance of immune complexes, destruction of old red blood cells, and antigen presentation. RES cells are critical for host defense and maintaining tissue homeostasis, with dysfunction leading to increased susceptibility to infections and complications in various diseases. The spleen, liver, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and lungs are major sites of RES activity.

Other names

Mononuclear Phagocyte System CellsMacrophagesKupffer cellsMonocytesMicrogliaAlveolar macrophagesSplenic macrophagesBone marrow-derived macrophages