Giant cell

A giant cell is a mass formed by the union of several distinct cells (usually macrophages), often forming a granuloma. It can arise in response to an infection, such as from tuberculosis, herpes, or HIV, or foreign body. These multinucleate giant cells also known as (MGCs) are cells of monocyte or macrophage lineage fused together.

Types include:

Also

History

Multinucleated giant cell formations can arise from numerous types of bacteria, diseases, and cell formations. Giant cells are known to develop when infections are also present. They were first noticed as early as the middle of the last century, but still it is not fully understood why these reactions occur. In the process of giant cell formation, monocytes or macrophages fuse together, which could cause multiple problems for the immune system.

Giant cell arteritis

The most common form of giant cell formations is giant-cell arteritis, it is also known as temporal arteritis or cranial arteritis. This type of arteritis causes the arteries in the head, neck, and arm area to swell to abnormal sizes. Although this disease has no apparent causes it seems to be related to polymyalgia rheumatica.