====== Macrophages ======

Macrophages are a type of white blood cell which are a crucial component of the immune system. They engulf and 'digest' microbes and cancer cells etc. (See [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrophage|Wikipedia]])

>__Although the overall role of macrophages has been known for over 100 years, we understand surprisingly little of the actual mechanisms by which bacteria are destroyed.__
>\\ Source : [[https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1365-2958.2011.07612.x|Molecular Microbiology 80(3), 580–583]]

It's known that the phages disable bacteria by inducing 'Oxidative Stress' caused by the production of chemicals called 'Reactive Oxygen Species' (ROS) - specifically the superoxide anion (O<sub>2</sub><sup>-</sup>)

But the specific targets within bacteria which are damaged by the oxidising process is so far unknown. (See the paper linked above for more detail)

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