Cell mediated immunity

Cell mediated immunity

T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. T cells are initially formed in the bone marrow and get its maturation and differentiation in the thymusgland. After maturation T cells migrate to secondary lymphoid organ. T cells areclassified according to their functions and cell-surface marker called CDs (clusters ofdifferentiation). They are functionally classified as T helper, T suppressor, T memoryand T killer cells. T cells are associated with certain types of allergic reactions called Delayed hypersensitivity and also in transplanted organ rejection.

The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) are unique to each individual and indicate self-molecules and always these molecules are given as reference when ever an antigen is presented and this helps the immune system to differentiate the self from non-self. (fig. 3) Helper T (T_H) cells (also known as CD4 cells) activate B cells to produce antibodies against T-dependent antigens (usually protein in composition). T_H cells recognize and bind to an antigen in association with an MHC II (Fig. 3) on the surface of an antigen presenting cells (APC) and the APC cell secrete the cytokineIL-1 and induce the T_Hcell to secrete the cytokine IL-2. Only T_Hcells that have been stimulated by an antigen have receptors for IL-2 and thus these T_Hcells are specificfor only that stimulatory antigen. Production of IL-2 and other cytokines by these T_H cells stimulates the cell-mediated (e.g., T_C cells) and humoral (B cells- Plasma cell) immune responses. In Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS),the Human Immuno deficiency virus (HIV) affect the T helper cells. Suppressor (T_S) cells appear to regulate the immune response once the antibody formation reached the adequate levels. Cytotoxic T cells (CD8) identify the viral infected cells and inject the molecule called Perforin to lyse the viral infected cells. Some of the activated T cells become Tmemory cells.

Role of lymphokines

Lymphokines are the cytokines secreted by the lymphocytes and these are small molecules released due to a stimulus and help to send the signal between cells. The term interleukin (IL) is also often referring to the cytokine produced by leukocytes. There is considerable overlap between the actions of the individual lymphokines, so that many of the above effects are shared between TNFa, IL-2 to IL-12. In addition, these proinflammatory cytokines activate the immune system, mobilizing neutrophils from bone marrow, causing dendritic cells to migrate to lymph nodes, and also initiating changes in adipocyte and muscle metabolism and also responsible for inducing fever.