Immunology

Mode of Action of Phagocytes

Complements
Opsonisation
Mast Cells
Inflammation
Phagocytes
 Phagocytes
• Phagocytes form the body’s first line
of defence and function to engulf
invading microorganisms as well as
to clear up dead cells and debris.
• They may be neutrophils or
monocytes.
monocytes
• Neutrophils and monocytes form the
reticulo - endothelial system.
system
•
 Neutrophils
• Have the ability to squeeze through
capillary spaces and move about on
tissue fluid.
 Monocytes
• These are macrophages
• They patrol the tissues particularly
in the liver spleen and lymph nodes.
• They are able to ingest larger
particles than neutrophils and can
even retain indigestible particles.
 Phagocytes and moving around
• Chemotaxis -Phagocytes are attracted
to chemicals released by damaged
tissues and blood cells as well as
blood clotting products and
bacteria.
• Amoeboid movement – flowing movement
of the cytoplasm that allows
phagocytes to crawl.

Phagocytosis
 Phagocytosis
• Receptors on the CSMs of phagocytes
bind to the opsonins, identifying
bacteria to be engulfed.
• Phagocytic vacuoles are formed.
• Lysosomes fuse with these vacuoles to
form phagolysosomes.
• Bacteria are digested when lysozyme,
acid and other hydrolytic enzymes
are released into the vacuole.
 Complements
• A group of twenty proteins which
assist in recognizing invading
bacteria.
They also:

• Attract phagocytes by chemotaxis

• Puncture the CSMs of bacteria
• Promote inflammation
• Are involved in opsonisation
 Opsonisation
• The coating of bacteria with opsonins
(may be complements or antibodies
• They coat bacteria and serve as
markers identifying material to be
phagocytized
 Mast Cells
Mast Cells or mastocytes are cells
containing many granules rich in
inflammatory chemicals such as histamine,
seratonin and heparin. They perform a
protective role and are involved in wound
healing and histamine production.
 Histamine
• Chemical mediators released by mast
cells
• It causes the dilation of capillaries,
increasing their permeability
 Inflammation
• Mast cells release histamine and kinins
which cause blood vessels to dilate –
redness occurs
• Increased permeability of the blood cells
causes proteins and fluids to escape into
the tissues – swelling
• The swelling and kinins stimulate free nerve
endings – pain
• Neutrophils and monocytes migrate to the
site of the injury and phagocytize
pathogens.
• The dead cells dead bacteria and living
leukocytes form a whitish material - pus