Distinct roles of microglia and monocytes in central nervous system inflammation and degeneration.

Monocytes and microglia both originate from myeloid precursor cells and share common characteristics even after differentiation. Recent studies have shown functional differences between these cell types, indicating their unique roles in lesion formation in neurodegenerative diseases. The present review summarizes the functional characteristics of these 'similar but different' macrophages in both health and disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]