Cells of Immune System

 Immune system composed of many independent cell

types – protect the body from microbial infections
and the growth of tumor cells.
 Cells of immune system can engulf bacteria, kill
parasites or tumour cells, destroy viral – infected
cells.
C ells that are capable of specifically recognizing and
eliciting specific immune responses are lymphocytes.
 Other types of WBC – non- specific immune response,
antigen presentation & cytokine production.
 LYMPHOCYTES
Lymphocytes are responsible for the specificity and memory in adaptive
immune responses.
 Produced Primary lymphoid organ and function in the secondary
lymphoid organ/tissues.
 Recognize and respond to foreign antigens.
 Three main types of lymphocytes:-
• T-Cells - Develop from their precursors of Thymus.
• B-cells- mature in the bone marrow, producing antibodies.
Natural Killer cells – Lymphocytes doesn’t express antigen receptors of
•
either T or B cells.
 Both lymphocytes- similar morphology with a small amount of cytoplasm.
Specific; different antigen receptors and variety of other surface molecules
necessary for interaction with other cells.
 Include molecules required for their activation and for movement
into and out of the tissues of the body.
 Ability to migrate into the tissues and return via the lymphatic
vessels to the bloodstream.
 Three main functional classes of T-lymphocytes:
 T-helper cells
 T- cytotoxic cells
 T-regulatory cells
All lymphocytes have antigen receptors that determine their specificity
and CD3 –activation.
Molecules also serve as Markers to identify T cells.
B-lymphocytes :-
 Make and use antibodies as their specific antigen receptor.
 Molecules similar to CD3, CD79 and b- activation.
 Mature into plasma cells that produce and secrete large amount of
antibody.
Lymphoid Organs / Tissues
Primary Lymphoid organs
Bone marrow
 Lymphocytes are found surrounding the small radial
arteries, immature myeloid precursors – found deep in
the parenchyma.
 BM- rise lymphoid cells that migrate to the thymus and
mature into T-cells – population of conventional B cells.
 B-cells mature – BM and undergo some selection for
non-self before making their way to the peripheral
lymphoid tissues.
 Tissues- form primary & secondary follicles and may
undergo further selection in germinal centers.