The Role of ROS and RNS in Regulating Life and Death of Blood Monocytes

The ability to target and accumulate monocytes and macrophages in areas of tissue inflammation plays an important role in innate and humoral immunity. However, when this process becomes uncontrolled, tissue injury and dysfunction may ensue. This paper will focus on understanding the role and action of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in regulating the molecular and biochemical pathways responsible for the regulation of the survival of human monocytes. We and others have found that ROS and RNS serve as important intracellular signaling molecules that influence cellular survival. Human monocytes are influenced by intracellular production of ROS and RNS, which affects both monocyte survival and death, depending on the form of nitric oxide presented to the cell. This review will address potential mechanisms by which ROS and RNS promote the survival of human monocytes and macrophages.