the body secret antibody against antigen using which cells:
-T lymphocyte
- B lymphocyte
Location and circulation of lymphocytes:
In the same way as red blood cells and thrombocytes (platelets), lymphocytes can circulate in the blood. Like all leucocytes, they also have the peculiarity of being able to circulate in the lymph. Lymphocytes are also present in primary and secondary lymphoid organs.
Physiology: the immune functions of lymphocytes:
Lymphocytes are white blood cells that play an important role in the immune system. Within the body, each type of lymphocyte has a specific function to fight against pathogens.
Role of NK lymphocytes in the innate immune response:
NK cells, or NK cells, mediate the innate immune response, which is the body's first response to aggression by pathogens. The innate immune response is immediate and involves NK lymphocytes, whose role is to destroy altered cells such as infected cells and cancer cells.
Roles of B and T lymphocytes in the adaptive immune response:
B and T lymphocytes participate in the adaptive immune response. Unlike the innate immune response, this second phase of the immune response is called specific. Based on recognition and memorization of pathogens, the adaptive immune response involves several leukocytes including:
- B cells that produce antibodies, complex proteins with the ability to specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens;
- T lymphocytes that specifically recognize and destroy pathogens.
Pathologies: different abnormalities of lymphocytes:
The risk of autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune disease is caused by B-cell dysfunction. In autoimmune disease, these lymphocytes produce antibodies that attack cells in the body.
There are different autoimmune diseases such as:
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- multiple sclerosis ;
- type 1 diabetes.
The case of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV):
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), HIV is a pathogen that attacks immune cells, especially T cells. They can no longer play their defense role, which exposes the body to opportunistic infections whose consequences can be serious.
Cancers affecting lymphocytes:
Lymphocytes can be affected by different cancers, especially when:
lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system;
- leukemia, a cancer affecting the cells of the bone marrow;
- myeloma, a hematological cancer;
- Waldenström disease, a particular hematological cancer that affects B lymphocytes.
+ Treatments and prevention:
- Prevention Solutions:
In particular, it is possible to prevent HIV infection, the consequences of which are serious for lymphocytes. The prevention of AIDS requires above all adequate protection during sexual intercourse.
- Medical treatments:
Medical treatment depends on the abnormality diagnosed. In case of HIV infection, antiretroviral treatments are offered for example. If a tumor is identified, chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be performed.
- Surgical intervention:
In the most severe cases, surgery may be necessary. During leukemia, a bone marrow transplant can be implemented.
+ Diagnosis: the different examinations of the lymphocytes:
Location and circulation of lymphocytes:
In the same way as red blood cells and thrombocytes (platelets), lymphocytes can circulate in the blood. Like all leucocytes, they also have the peculiarity of being able to circulate in the lymph. Lymphocytes are also present in primary and secondary lymphoid organs.
Physiology: the immune functions of lymphocytes:
Lymphocytes are white blood cells that play an important role in the immune system. Within the body, each type of lymphocyte has a specific function to fight against pathogens.
Role of NK lymphocytes in the innate immune response:
NK cells, or NK cells, mediate the innate immune response, which is the body's first response to aggression by pathogens. The innate immune response is immediate and involves NK lymphocytes, whose role is to destroy altered cells such as infected cells and cancer cells.
Roles of B and T lymphocytes in the adaptive immune response:
B and T lymphocytes participate in the adaptive immune response. Unlike the innate immune response, this second phase of the immune response is called specific. Based on recognition and memorization of pathogens, the adaptive immune response involves several leukocytes including:
- B cells that produce antibodies, complex proteins with the ability to specifically recognize and neutralize pathogens;
- T lymphocytes that specifically recognize and destroy pathogens.
Pathologies: different abnormalities of lymphocytes:
The risk of autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune disease is caused by B-cell dysfunction. In autoimmune disease, these lymphocytes produce antibodies that attack cells in the body.
There are different autoimmune diseases such as:
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- multiple sclerosis ;
- type 1 diabetes.
The case of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV):
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), HIV is a pathogen that attacks immune cells, especially T cells. They can no longer play their defense role, which exposes the body to opportunistic infections whose consequences can be serious.
Cancers affecting lymphocytes:
Lymphocytes can be affected by different cancers, especially when:
lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system;
- leukemia, a cancer affecting the cells of the bone marrow;
- myeloma, a hematological cancer;
- Waldenström disease, a particular hematological cancer that affects B lymphocytes.
+ Treatments and prevention:
- Prevention Solutions:
In particular, it is possible to prevent HIV infection, the consequences of which are serious for lymphocytes. The prevention of AIDS requires above all adequate protection during sexual intercourse.
- Medical treatments:
Medical treatment depends on the abnormality diagnosed. In case of HIV infection, antiretroviral treatments are offered for example. If a tumor is identified, chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be performed.
- Surgical intervention:
In the most severe cases, surgery may be necessary. During leukemia, a bone marrow transplant can be implemented.
+ Diagnosis: the different examinations of the lymphocytes:
- Hemogram
A blood count allows a qualitative and quantitative measurement of the elements present in the blood, including lymphocytes.
During this blood test, a lymphocyte count is considered normal if it is between 1.5 and 4 g / L.
The interpretation of the results of the blood test can identify two types of lymphocyte abnormalities:
- a low lymphocyte level, when it is less than 1 g / L, which is the sign of lymphopenia;
- a high level of lymphocytes, when it is greater than 5 g / L, which is the sign of lymphocytosis, also called hyperlymphocytosis.
- Myelogram:
A myelogram consists of analyzing the functioning of the bone marrow. It measures the production of white blood cells including lymphocytes.
- Cytobacteriological examination of urine (E.C.B.U.):
This examination makes it possible to evaluate the presence of white blood cells in the urine. High leukocyte count is a sign of a condition.
+ Anecdotes: the origin of lymphocyte classes:
- Origin of the class of B lymphocytes:
There are several interpretations to the letter "B". Some believe that this name is linked to the bone marrow, where B cells are produced. In English, the bone marrow is called "Bone marrow". The second explanation, which seems to be the most truthful, is related to the Fabricius bursa, a primary lymphoid organ found in birds. It is in this organ that B cells have been identified.
- Origin of the class of T lymphocytes:
The origin of the letter "T" is simple. It refers to the thymus, a primary lymphoid organ in which T cells mature.
- Origin of the class of NK lymphocytes:
The letters "NK" are the initials in English of "Natural Killer". This refers to the action of neutralizing NK lymphocytes.
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