Cells involved in immunity

B lymphocytes

white blood cells that recognise antigens or pathogens and produce a large number of antibodies specific to an antigen.

T lymphocytes

white blood cells in the thymus and participate in the adaptive immune response

neutrophils

white blood cells that are the first to the site of infection, engulfing and destroying pathogens

macrophages

phaocytotic antigen-presenting cells derived from monocytes that may be found in various tissues throughout the body and can engulf foreign material

dendritic cells

a type of antigen-presenting cell and phagocyte that can activate T cells in the adaptive immune response

eosinophils

a type of white blood cell that contains granules, enabling them to kill larger parasitic agents

natural killer cells

special white blood cells involved in the innate immune response that kill virus-infected cells.

mast cells

immune cells containing histamine, which is involved in allergic responses and inflammation