10 Types of Immune Cells and How They Keep You Healthy

Immune system cells are white blood cells, known as leukocytes, that help to fight bacteria, viruses, and fungal invaders that can make people sick.

There are many different kinds of immune cells; here are some of the different types:

1. The two main categories of immune cells are lymphocytes and phagocytes.

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2. Lymphocytes circulate in the blood and lymphatic system and are stored there. Each different type of lymphocyte has receptors that match a different harmful antigen.

3. B cells are one broad type of lymphocyte. B cells have two main functions: producing antibodies that can keep infectious cells from attacking, and carrying antigens to T cells so they can be destroyed, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

4. T cells are also lymphocytes; they have different roles and functions, including killing cells that are infected and getting other immune cells to fight against attackers.

5. Regulatory T cells keep other immune cells from overreacting and attacking the body.

6. The main function of phagocytes is to ingest harmful bacteria to prevent infection. Some phagocytes also release histamine in an effort to destroy parasites and other harmful invaders. There are several different types of phagocytes with various functions.

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7. Neutrophils are the most numerous type of naturally occurring immune cell. They ingest bacteria and break them down inside part of the cell known as vesicles.

8. Mast cells are important in allergic reactions, which are actually the immune system’s way of getting rid of allergens. Mast cells release histamine and other inflammatory compounds.

9. Monocytes patrol the bloodstream and tissues to find and respond to problems as well as notify other immune cells for a coordinated response. They also develop into macrophages, which consume and destroy bacteria. Macrophages also recycle dead cells and get rid of debris.

10. Natural killer (NK) cells can recognize infected or tumor cells, create holes in the bad cells, and cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, to remove infected cells without further immune response.

Human immune cells work together in very complex ways to keep the body safe from illness-causing substances and to heal infections and other problems.

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