Mononuclear Cells

Background

MNC is the abbreviated name for a collective of cells called the mononuclear cells. They contain lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells such as monocytes and dendritic cells. They do not contain red blood cells and polymorphonuclear cells (PMN), i.e. granulocytes. The notable characteristic of a mononuclear cell is a prominent and round nucleus, whereas red blood cells are enucleated and granulocytes have multi-lobed nuclei. MNC are very popular among immunological research because of their significant involvement in the humoral, secondary, and memory aspects of the immune system. They are also valuable in cancer research of lymphoid leukemia and lymphoma.