macrophages

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From guiding branching neurons in the developing brain to maintaining a healthy heartbeat, there seems to be no job that the immune cells can’t tackle.

In addition to circulating in the blood as immune sentinels, macrophages play specialized roles in different organs around the body.

In a process known as vomocytosis, macrophages swallow pathogens whole only to spew them back out later, unharmed.

Among their many functions, macrophages in mouse testes guard sperm against attacks by other immune cells. 

Following an injury to a Drosophila pupal wing, macrophages swoop in, engulfing debris and aiding in the tissue regeneration process.