Cells Involved in the Immune System

All cells of the immune system have their origin in the

bone marrow and they include myeloid and lymphoid
cells which differentiate along distinct pathways. The
myeloid progenitor (stem) cell in the bone marrow gives
rise to mononuclear and polymorphonuclear leucocytes
as well as the platelets, dendritic cells and the mast cells
whereas the lymphoid progenitor (stem) cell gives rise to
the NK, T cells and B cells.

Lymphoid Cells

Lymphocytes make up 20-30 % of the total leukocyte

population. These are abundantly found in the lymphoid
organs, lymph nodes, blood and lymph.

The three major types of lymphocyte are T cells, B cells

and natural killer (NK) cells.

T Cells

Features

- T cells are lymphocytes that require maturation in

the thymus.
- Form several subclasses with specific functions
include Cytotoxic T cells (TC cells), T helper cells (TH
cells), Suppressor T cells (Ts cells), Memory T cells.

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Functions

- Activate B cell to produce antibodies.

- Promotes the development of delayed
hypersensitivity.
- Kill intracellular pathogens.
- Destroy cells infected with some viruses or tumor
cells.
B Cells

Features

- B cells are lymphocytes that develop in the bone

marrow in mammals.
- Express a unique receptor (BCR) for antigen on their
cell surface.
Functions

- Function as antigen presenting cells.

- Precursors of plasma cells that produce antibody.

Natural Killer Cells

Features

- NK cells are defined as large granular lymphocytes

(LGL)
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 - Do not express antigen-specific receptors.
- Have two types of surface receptors, including an
"activating receptor" that recognizes carbohydrate
ligands and an "inhibitory receptor" that
recognizes MHC class I molecules.
- Have granules contain perforin , granzymes and TNF
that cause the target cell to die by apoptosis.
Functions

- Are able to recognize and kill certain abnormal cells

e.g., tumor cells and also activate the innate
response.
- Major source of IFN-𝛾 which activates macrophages.

Myeloid Cells

Mononuclear phagocytic cells

The mononuclear phagocytic cells include blood

monocytes and tissue macrophages.

Monocytes

A circulating phagocytic blood cell that develops into

tissue macrophages.

Macrophages

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 - Phagocytic mononuclear cells derived from
monocytes.
- Move by action of amoeboid movement.
- Found in tissues (Alveolar macrophages in the
lung, Histiocytes in connective tissues, Kupffer
cells in the liver) and at the site of inflammation.
- Function as antigen presenting cells (APCs)
Functions

- Phagocytose pathogens.
- Stimulate lymphocytes and other immune cells to
respond to pathogens.
- They are a major source of reactive oxygen
intermediates, reactive nitrogen intermediates, pro-
inflammatory cytokines, antimicrobial peptides etc.
Neutrophils

- Has multilobed nucleus (Often called polymorphs)

- Stain with both acidic and basic dyes.
- Have surface receptors for C3b.
- Accumulate at a site of infection.
- Much more numerous (50-70%) than eosinophils
and basophils.
Function

- Kill ingested microorganisms.

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 - Major source of defensins, cathelicidins, MPO,
lysozyme and lactoferrin.
Eosinophils

- Has a bilobed nucleus

- Stain with the acidic dye eosin red
- Phagocytic
- Have granules contain proteolytic enzymes include
histaminase, peroxidase, major basic proteinand
eosinophilic cationic protein.
Function

- Play a role in the defense against parasites and

helminthes.
Basophils

- Has a lobed nucleus

- Stain with the basic dye methylene blue.
- Non-phagocytic
Function
- Release histamine, important in inflammation and
allergy response.

Dendritic cells

Features

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 - Covered with long membrane extensions that
resemble the dendrites of nerve cells.
- Function as antigen-presenting cells.
Four types of dendritic cells are known: Langerhans
cells, interstitial dendritic cells, myeloid cells and
lymphoid dendritic cells.

Function

- Process antigen and present it on the surface to TH

cells.
- Act as messengers between the innate and adaptive
immunity.
Mast cells
Features

Have granules that store inflammatory mediators,

including histamine and proteoglycans, interleukins etc
- Found in a wide variety of tissues, including the
skin, connective tissues and mucosal epithelial
tissue of the respiratory, genitourinary and digestive
tracts.
Function

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 - Play an important role in inflammatory and immune
responses, including allergic reactions and
anaphylaxis.

Platelets

Function

- initiate blood clotting

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