Lymphocyte

Lymphocyte
Scanning electron micrograph of a human T cell
Details
SystemImmune system
FunctionWhite blood cell
Identifiers
MeSHD008214
THH2.00.04.1.02002
FMA84065 62863, 84065
Anatomical terms of microanatomy

A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell (leukocyte) in the immune system of most vertebrates.[1] Lymphocytes include T cells (for cell-mediated and cytotoxic adaptive immunity), B cells (for humoral, antibody-driven adaptive immunity),[2][3] and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs; "innate T cell-like" cells involved in mucosal immunity and homeostasis), of which natural killer cells are an important subtype (which functions in cell-mediated, cytotoxic innate immunity). They are the main type of cell found in lymph, which prompted the name "lymphocyte" (with cyte meaning cell).[4] Lymphocytes make up between 18% and 42% of circulating white blood cells.[2]

  1. ^ Janeway C, Travers P, Walport M, Shlomchik M (2001). Immunobiology (5th ed.). New York and London: Garland Science. ISBN 0-8153-4101-6.
  2. ^ a b Omman, Reeba A.; Kini, Ameet R. (2020). "Leukocyte development, kinetics, and functions". In Keohane, Elaine M.; Otto, Catherine N.; Walenga, Jeanine N. (eds.). Rodak's Hematology: Clinical Principles and Applications (6th ed.). St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier. pp. 117–135. ISBN 978-0-323-53045-3.
  3. ^ Cohn, Lauren; Hawrylowicz, Catherine; Ray, Anuradha (2014). "Biology of Lymphocytes". Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice (8th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders. pp. 203–214. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-08593-9.00013-9. ISBN 9780323085939. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  4. ^ "NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms". National Cancer Institute. Retrieved 22 July 2020. A type of immune cell that is made in the bone marrow and is found in the blood and in lymph tissue. The two main types of lymphocytes are B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. B lymphocytes make antibodies, and T lymphocytes help kill tumor cells and help control immune responses. A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell.