Difference between revisions of "Lymphocytes - Introduction"

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Image:LH_Lymphocyte_Histology.jpg|<div style="text-align: center;"><p>'''Lymphocyte'''</p><sup>Image from [[Blood and Haemopoiesis resource]]</sup></div>  
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Image:LH_Lymphocyte_Histology.jpg|<div style="text-align: center;"><p>'''Lymphocyte'''</p><sup>©RVC 2008</sup></div>  
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Image:LH_Lymphocytes_Histology.jpg|<div style="text-align: center;"><p>'''Lymphocytes'''</p><sup>Image from [[Blood and Haemopoiesis resource]]</sup></div>
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Image:LH_Lymphocytes_Histology.jpg|<div style="text-align: center;"><p>'''Lymphocytes'''</p><sup>©RVC 2008</sup></div>
 
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==Introduction==
 
==Introduction==
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Lymphocytes account for around a third of all circulating [[Leukocytes|leukocytes]] and are formed in a variety of lymphoid tissues. They are functionally divided into [[T cells]], [[B cells]] and [[Natural Killer cells|Natural Killer (NK) cells]]. Lymphocytes vary in size (6-30µm) and are classified as small, medium or large. Large cells are either activated lymphocytes or NK cells. The vast majority of circulating lymphocytes are small and of a similar size to erythrocytes. Histologically they are round with a large densely staining nucleus and a thin, often indistinct, rim of cytoplasm.  While NK cells can be distinguished by their large granules and kidney shaped nucleus, B and T cells appear the same histologically.
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Lymphocytes account for around a third of all circulating [[Leukocytes|leukocytes]] and are formed in a variety of lymphoid tissues. They are functionally divided into [[#T cells|T cells]], [[#B cells|B cells]] and [[#Natural Killer (NK) Cells|NK (Natural Killer) cells]]. Lymphocytes vary in size (6-30µm) and are classified as small, medium or large. Large cells are either activated lymphocytes or NK cells. The vast majority of circulating lymphocytes are small and of a similar size to erythrocytes. Histologically they are round with a densely staining nucleus and a thin, often indistinct, rim of cytoplasm.  While NK cells can be distinguished by their large granules and kidney shaped nucleus, B and T cells appear the same histologically.</p>
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<p>Lymphocytes, along with the associated supporting cells, form the immune system and recognise antigens, produce antibodies and destroy pathogens.</p>
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<p>Lymphocytes, along with associated supporting cells, form the immune system and recognise antigens, produce antibodies and destroy pathogens.</p>
  
 
==Development==
 
==Development==
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<p>Both T and B lymphocytes develop from a common stem cell ([[Haematopoiesis - Overview#Colony Forming Units|CFU-L's]]) during [[Leukopoiesis#Lymphopoiesis|lymphopoiesis]]. Where they mature accounts for the letter the lymphocytes are given i.e. B cells in the Bone Marrow and T cells in the Thymus. Natural Killer cells develop in the Bone Marrow.</p>
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<p>Both T and B lymphocytes develop from a common stem cell ([[Haematopoiesis - Overview#Colony Forming Units|CFU-L's]]) and for a general overview of this process see [[Leukopoiesis#Lymphopoiesis|here]].</p>
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<p> Follow these links for a more detailed explanation on [[T cell differentiation - WikiBlood|T cell development]] and [[B cell differentiation - WikiBlood|B cell development]].</p>
  
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==Lymphocyte Surveillance==
 
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<p>About two thirds of lymphocytes (all immunocompetent) are circulating in the blood and lymph systems. Most of these are T cells and long lived. In the lymphatic system they survey tissues. The other third do not circulate and are either short lived or immature, or can be specific cells destined for certain tissues i.e. cells that line connective tissue under the epithelium of the  respiratory, intestinal and urogential systems.</p>
 
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<p>[[High Endothelial Venules|High endothelial venules (HEV)]] facilitate lymphocyte access to the [[Lymph Nodes - Anatomy & Physiology|lymph nodes]] from the bloodstream. Once inside the lymph node, the naive lymphocytes search for antigens. If there are no antigens present, the naive lymphocytes leave via the efferent lymphatic vessel and return back to the bloodstream. Each lymphocyte can search several [[:Category:Secondary Lymphoid Tissue|secondary lymphoid organs]] each day. This process is called '''surveillance'''.</P>
 
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<p>If a naive lymphocyte recognises an antigen then it differentiates into its adult (mature) form. [[T cell differentiation#Dendritic Cells|Interdigitating dendritic cells]] present antigen to T cells and [[B cell differentiation#Follicular Dendritic Cells|follicular dendritic cells]] present antigen to B cells.</p>
 
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<p>B cells proliferate into [[B cell differentiation#Plasma cells|plasma cells]] within sectors of the lymph nodes known as germinal centres, producing antibody.</p>
 
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<p>T cells leave the lymph node in '''attack mode''' to locate the infectious organism. The surface molecule L-selectin (which allows the naive lymphocyte to enter the lymph node via an [[Lymph Nodes - Anatomy & Physiology#High endothelial venules|HEV]]) is replaced by the adhesion molecule VLA-4. At the site of inflammation, the VLA-4 receptor recognises VCAM-1 on endothelial cells and the T cell enters the site of disease. [[T cells|CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells]] search for infected macrophages and [[T_cells#Cytotoxic_CD8.2B|CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells]] look for virus infected cells creating an immune response. After the infection has been defeated, memory cells develop which express L-selectin (rather than VLA-4) and continue to search the body in surveillance mode in case the host is re-infected with the disease producing organism.
 
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[[Category:Lymphocytes|A]]
 
[[Category:Lymphocytes|A]]

Revision as of 14:28, 13 August 2010

  • Lymphocyte

    ©RVC 2008

  • Lymphocytes

    ©RVC 2008

Introduction

Lymphocytes account for around a third of all circulating leukocytes and are formed in a variety of lymphoid tissues. They are functionally divided into T cells, B cells and NK (Natural Killer) cells. Lymphocytes vary in size (6-30µm) and are classified as small, medium or large. Large cells are either activated lymphocytes or NK cells. The vast majority of circulating lymphocytes are small and of a similar size to erythrocytes. Histologically they are round with a densely staining nucleus and a thin, often indistinct, rim of cytoplasm. While NK cells can be distinguished by their large granules and kidney shaped nucleus, B and T cells appear the same histologically.

Lymphocytes, along with associated supporting cells, form the immune system and recognise antigens, produce antibodies and destroy pathogens.

Development

Both T and B lymphocytes develop from a common stem cell (CFU-L's) and for a general overview of this process see here.

Follow these links for a more detailed explanation on T cell development and B cell development.

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