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Cells of The Immune System

The document summarizes the main cells of the immune system. Phagocytes such as neutrophils and macrophages identify and destroy pathogens. Lymphocytes include B and T cells. B cells produce antibodies for humoral immunity while T cells mediate cell-mediated immunity, including killer T cells that destroy infected cells and helper T cells that stimulate other immune responses. Memory B and T cells provide long-term immunity against previous infections.

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hasbiallah1306
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142 views

Cells of The Immune System

The document summarizes the main cells of the immune system. Phagocytes such as neutrophils and macrophages identify and destroy pathogens. Lymphocytes include B and T cells. B cells produce antibodies for humoral immunity while T cells mediate cell-mediated immunity, including killer T cells that destroy infected cells and helper T cells that stimulate other immune responses. Memory B and T cells provide long-term immunity against previous infections.

Uploaded by

hasbiallah1306
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Cells of the immune system

Leucocytes (white blood cells or WBC)

phagocytes
- produced & stored in bone marrow Function: phagocytosis

lymphocytes
- produced in bone marrow before birth - very little cytoplasm (nucleus takes up much of the cell volume) - circulates btw blood & lymph

neutrophils
- most abundant (app. 60% of all WBC in blood) - lobed nucleus - short life span (12-72 hrs.) - often leave blood (squeeze through capillary walls) to patrol tissues

macrophages
- develop from monocytes (monocytes travel in blood) - settle in organs, e.g. lungs - long life span - act as *APC

basophils
- S-shaped nucleus - have granules (stained blue) - secrete histamine (attract other leucocytes to infected site) -secrete heparin (control blood clotting)

eosinophils
- double-lobed nucleus - have granules (stain red with eosin) - secrete anti-histamine (to control allergic response)

T lymphocytes
- produced in bone marrow - mature & stored in thymus gland - have surface T cell receptors that can recognise specific antigens (similar to antibodies) Function: cell-mediated immune response

B lymphocytes
- produced & mature in bone marrow - stored in lymph nodes & spleen - have surface B cell receptors that can recognise specific antigens Function: humoral (antibody-mediated) immune response

killer T cells (a.k.a. cytotoxic T cells)


- identify & attach to *APC - secrete cytotoxins (e.g. nitric oxide & perforins) - kills both pathogen & *APC

T helper cells
- secrete cytokines which stimulates 1. more vigorous phagocytosis by neutrophils & macrophages 2. activation & division of B lymphocytes 3. activation of killer T cells (more vigorous) 4. activation & division of memory T cells

memory T cells
- formed during infection - have surface receptors (complementary to antigens) - basis of immunological memory (stores info about antigens from past Infections) long term immunity - fast secondary response to previous infections - divide to form more killer T, T helper and memory T cells

plasma cells
- secrete antibodies, a.k.a. Immunoglobulin (Ig) - only one type of Ig per B cell after maturation - Ig are specific (one type of antigen per Ig) - not long-lived (only stay in blood for a few weeks only, though Ig stays a bit longer)

memory B cells
- same main function as the memory T cells long-term immunity - divide to form more plasma cells & memory B cells

*APC = antigen-presenting cells (macrophages & infected cells usually display or 'present' the antigens of the pathogen on their cell surface membrane for initiation of immune responses by the B and T lymphocytes)

Immune responses - summary

humoral (antibody-mediated) immune response

cell-mediated immune response


antigen (1 exposure)
st

Free antigens directly activate

engulfed by

antigens displayed by infected cells (APCs) activate

macrophages (antigen presenting cells


stimulates stimulates stimulates

B cells
gives rise to

T helper cell

killer T cells
gives rise to

divides to form stimulates stimulates

memory T helper cell


stimulates

plasma cells
secretes

memory B cells
stimulates

memory T cells
stimulates

active killer T cells

antibodies

antigen nd (2 exposure)

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