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Monocytes are
immature macrophages, and are a target for HIV infection. Monocytes and
macrophages are antigen-presenting cells (APC) that show pieces of
antigen to CD4+ and CD8+ cells for recognition and destruction. Recall that
monocytes are also dendrite producers.
Macrophages are present in most tissues and can cross
physiologic barriers, including the blood-brain barrier that prevent the
entry of most other cells. HIV-infected macrophages can help seed HIV
throughout the body. The recombinant growth factor granulocyte macrophage
colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF, sargramostim, leukine) is used to
increase the number of granulocytes and macrophages in the body.
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