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==Actions==
 
==Actions==
<p>Macrophages are [[Phagocytosis|phagocytic]] and take up particles and cell debris by endocytosis, as well has engulfing pathogens like bacteria. These are then present in the macrophage inside phagosomes. Lysosomes present in the cytoplasm then bind with the phagosome and release their contents which degrade/digest its contents.</p>
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===Phagocytosis===
<p>Macrophages also act as '''antigen presenting cells''' taking antigens to lymph nodes to present to T cells. MHC II ([[Major Histocompatability Complexes|major histocompatibility complex]] II) proteins on their surface allow them to interact with helper T cells (CD4). Short peptide segments from foreign cells are presented with MHC II which activates the [[T cells|T cell]].</p>
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<p>Macrophages are [[Phagocytosis|phagocytic]] and take up particles and cell debris by endocytosis, as well as engulfing pathogens like bacteria through the specialist function of [[Phagocytosis|phaagocytosis]]. These are then present in the macrophage inside phagosomes. Lysosomes present in the cytoplasm then bind with the phagosome and release their contents which degrade/digest its contents. The degradation of the lysosomal contents occurs in much the same way as [[Neutrophils|neutrophils]] with both oxygen-dependent and oxygen-independent degradation and bactericidal mechanisms.</p>
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===Antigen Presentation===
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<p>Macrophages also act as '''antigen presenting cells''' taking antigens to lymph nodes to present to T cells. MHC II ([[Major Histocompatability Complexes|major histocompatibility complex]] II) proteins on their surface allow them to interact with helper T cells (CD4). Short peptide segments from foreign cells are presented with MHC II which activates the [[T cells|T cell]] as part of the nadaptive immune response.</p>
 
<p>To migrate through connective tissue they release proteases and glycoaminoglycanases.</p>
 
<p>To migrate through connective tissue they release proteases and glycoaminoglycanases.</p>
 
===Role in pathology===
 
===Role in pathology===
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