Monocytes are critical effectors and regulators of immune response. Studying the nomenclature of monocyte subsets may be beneficial for understanding the complex function of monocytes in steady and inflammatory states. A monocyte has the potential to differentiate into dendritic cells or macrophages, and this behavior significantly changes in severely burned patients and mice. The findings in the present study may help enhance understanding on the perturbation of the immune system after severe burn injury.