KYJ -58 - Inflammation 3
Part 3 in our understanding of inflammation.
Today we pick up where we left off. Lymphocytes.
Lymphocytes are specialised white cells that kill microbes in a few ways. They are categorised into Natural Killers (NK cells), B-cells (made in bones) and T Cells (made in the Thymus gland).
B cells make large quantities of proteins called Immunoglobulins (antibodies) which attach to bacteria and neutralise them. A bit like fly spray killing cockroaches.
T cells are classified as Cytotoxic T cells, or Helper T cells.
CytotoxicTs produce enzymes, that kill body cells that have become infected by bacteria and viruses.
HelperTs produce chemical attractants called cytokines (think "Impulse body spray") that attracts killer cells and phagocytes to attack pathogens.
Both B and T cells are capable of remembering the antigens (nasties) that they come into contact with. The next time the same germ invades, they mount an all out attack by releasing antibodies and cytokines.
If tissues become infected by viruses or tumor cells, they release chemical signals called Interferons that attract NK Cells. These NKcells then attack and destroy cancer cells and infected tissue cells before they get out of control.
Lymphocytes are responsible for life long immunity, and are the rock stars of the vaccination world.
You may have heard of Cell-mediated immunity. This means the blood cells do the killing. Neutrophils, B-Cells, Macrophages all contribute to cell-mediated immunity. Batman, Spider-Man and the foot soldiers.
Humoral immunity is all about the chemicals- immunoglobulins (antibodies), interferons and other cytokines being released by tissue cells, and lymphocytes.
Next episode well look at the other phils. White blood cells called Eosinophils and Basophils.
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