Our immune system consists of many specialized immune cells that work together to protect our body from pathogens and other threats. The main types of immune cells are lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, dendritic cells, mast cells, and natural killer cells. Each play an important but distinct role in immune responses.

Lymphocytes

Lymphocytes are a class of white blood cells that are key players in adaptive immunity. They include T cells, B cells, and natural killer T cells. T cells help coordinate immune responses and identify and destroy infected cells. There are several types of T cells including helper T cells, regulatory T cells, cytotoxic T cells, and memory T cells. B cells produce antibodies that help eliminate pathogens from the body. Natural killer T cells can exhibit properties of both T cells and natural killer cells, helping bridge innate and adaptive immunity.

Granulocytes

Granulocytes are immune cells that engulf and destroy pathogens and foreign material. Immune Cell Engineering contain granules that contain compounds to help eliminate invaders. The three main types of granulocytes are neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cell and primarily function to destroy bacteria and fungi. Eosinophils help combat certain parasites and allergies. Basophils release histamine and other chemicals that trigger inflammation and immune responses.

Monocytes and Immune Cell Engineering

Monocytes are a type of white blood cell that differentiate into macrophages after migrating into tissues. Macrophages function as phagocytes that ingest foreign material, microbes, cancer cells, and cellular debris. They are key players in both innate and adaptive immune responses. macrophages secrete cytokines that help regulate inflammation and immune responses. They also present antigens and activate lymphocytes to initiate specific immune responses.

Dendritic Cells

Dendritic cells are specialized antigen-presenting cells found in tissues exposed to external environment like the skin. They detect foreign substances entering the body and engulf pathogens. Dendritic cells then migrate to lymph nodes to activate T cells and initiate an adaptive immune response. Immature dendritic cells detect and capture antigens while mature dendritic cells can powerfully activate T cells.

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