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Summary: Peripheral blood monocytes are a heterogeneous population of circulating leukocytes. Using a murine adoptive transfer system to probe monocyte homing and differentiation in vivo, we identified two functional subsets among murine blood monocytes: a short-lived CX3CR1loCCR2 Gr1 subset that is actively recruited to inflamed tissues and a CX3CR1hiCCR2-Gr1- subset characterized by CX3CR1-dependent recruitment to noninflamed tissues. Both subsets have the potential to differentiate into dendritic cells in vivo. The level of CX3CR1 expression also defines the two major human monocyte subsets, the CD14 CD16- and CD14loCD16 monocytes, which share phenotype and homing potential with the mouse subsets. These findings raise the potential for novel therapeutic strategies in inflammatory diseases.

(C) 2003Elsevier, Inc.