AMAZING
MACROPHAGE VIDEOS
Rev. 260715
But first, a brief introduction to Macrophages, for
the benefit of those who have not studied Hematology, Microbiology,
or some other scientific field were white blood cells are studied.
Note: Blue colored words are links to Wikipedia, for the benefit of
those who might not be familiar with certain terminologies.
Scientists, for now, have classified Macrophages as two main types,
M1 and M2. They (scientists) also believe that monocytes are the precursor
cells that can be activated into an M1 or M2 macrophage. However, I
am starting to suspect that an eosinophil and/or a basophil can also be activated
into an M1 macrophage, but this is yet to be proven (I don't have
sufficient evidence yet).
Revision (July, 2026): My suspicions
were correct. Now 13 years later scientist have noticed and accepted
that eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils, mast cells, and
macrophages can be activated as M1 macrophages (Phagocytes).
M1 MACROPHAGE PROPERTIES:
Can destroy bacteria and some other pathogens.
Coordinates anti-cancer immune response.
Inhibits cancer growth.
Removes debris from the blood.
Can cause inflammation while destroying pathogens.
M2 MACROPHAGE PROPERTIES:
Supports Angiogenesis.
Suppress immune function.
Helps heal wounds.
Promote cancer growth.
M1 macrophages can produce TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor),
IFN-gamma (Interferon), and IL-12 (Interleukin-12). Chemicals that seem
to be significant in inhibiting cancer growth. An interesting fact,
I recently learned, Cannabis seems to lower the amount of TNF in the
blood. Could this be because of its cancer fighting properties?
The images, bellow, are links to the videos. To see the videos,
select (with mouse, track-ball, or finger) the image, and the video,
linked to that image, should play in your browser. Depending on the
browser that your computer (or smart phone) uses, it might ask you
to download the video before it can play it, or it might asked you
what application you would like to use to play the video.
I recorded these videos, in High Definition, using a Nikon digital
camera, a microscope and unstained live blood.
The 37 seconds video, bellow, shows two morphologically different
phagocytes colliding.
The micro-video bellow shows, from a live blood slide,
phagocytosis from an eosinophil that
has been activated an an M1 microphage (a phagocite).
MORE VIDEOS WILL BE POSTED IN THE FUTURE
REFERENCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrophage
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phagocytosis
Back to
MICROSCOPY