[ash92:)]

So macrophages can further develop into langhans giant cells, foreign body cells or epithelioid cells. What I don't get is:

1) what is the FUNCTIONAL difference between the 2 types of giant cells?
2) what is the function of epithelioid cells (since they have very low level phagocytic activity and morphologically resemble epithelial cells)?

[Ihategcse]

(Original post by ash92:))
So macrophages can further develop into langerhans giant cells, foreign body cells or epithelioid cells. What I don't get is:

1) what is the FUNCTIONAL difference between the 2 types of giant cells?
2) what is the function of epithelioid cells (since they have very low level phagocytic activity and morphologically resemble epithelial cells)?

1st off, its not langerhans cells.. those are dendritic antigen presenting phagocytes in the skin. NOT the same as the stuff in inflammation.

I don't think we really know their role tbh. They are afaik just a sign of a granulomatous inflammation.

If you're ever asked in exams, phagocytosis and antigen presentation would probably be accepted.

[John Locke]

(Original post by ash92:))
So macrophages can further develop into langerhans giant cells, foreign body cells or epithelioid cells. What I don't get is:

1) what is the FUNCTIONAL difference between the 2 types of giant cells?
2) what is the function of epithelioid cells (since they have very low level phagocytic activity and morphologically resemble epithelial cells)?

woah, LanGHans cells, not LanGERHans cells (which are dendritic cells as above).

formation of sycitia is a characteristic of the monocyte lineage normally, for example the osteoclasts, and pathologically, for example those identified above as well as others such as Touton cells. I think you are going to be disappointed here as even in the literature your question is not answered conveniently. Since this is the case you really would be best advised to check it out for yourself to form your own opinion.

these cells are morphologically and not functionally defined. you might want to ask yourself whether or not they represent a natural attempt to boost killing power (i.e. active improvement) or pathological.

without doubt a 3rd year question so don't worry too much otherwise.

[ash92:)]

(Original post by Ihategcse)
1st off, its not langerhans cells.. those are dendritic antigen presenting phagocytes in the skin. NOT the same as the stuff in inflammation.

I don't think we really know their role tbh. They are afaik just a sign of a granulomatous inflammation.

If you're ever asked in exams, phagocytosis and antigen presentation would probably be accepted.

(Original post by John Locke)
woah, LanGHans cells, not LanGERHans cells (which are dendritic cells as above).

formation of sycitia is a characteristic of the monocyte lineage normally, for example the osteoclasts, and pathologically, for example those identified above as well as others such as Touton cells. I think you are going to be disappointed here as even in the literature your question is not answered conveniently. Since this is the case you really would be best advised to check it out for yourself to form your own opinion.

these cells are morphologically and not functionally defined. you might want to ask yourself whether or not they represent a natural attempt to boost killing power (i.e. active improvement) or pathological.

without doubt a 3rd year question so don't worry too much otherwise.

Yeh guys, my bad

Hmm, true... Ok thanks for trying to help anyways