What are the immune cells in the human body?
Disease description:
Doctor, recently I read a novel that mentioned the human immune system. I became curious about what types of immune cells are in the human body, so I'd like to consult you about it.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Aihua
The human immune system consists of many different types of cells that perform distinct biological functions, providing critical protection against pathogens. Major immune cells include T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages, and cytokines. T lymphocytes can directly recognize antigens and secrete cytokines, playing key roles in initiating and regulating immune responses. B lymphocytes produce antibodies that form specific antibody-antigen complexes to eliminate pathogens. Natural killer cells directly destroy pathogens by recognizing pathogen-specific epitopes, thereby reducing pathogen invasion. Macrophages identify pathogens, trigger inflammatory responses, phagocytose pathogens, and prevent their further spread. Finally, cytokines have diverse functions, including activating T and B cells, inducing cell differentiation, modulating immune responses, and promoting changes in the extracellular matrix. In summary, the coordinated actions of these cells help maintain the stability of the immune system and provide effective protection against pathogens.
