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B C H 3 2 1 : G RO U P 6 P RE SE N TATI O N
Functions of NK Cells, Phagocytes, B-Cells and T-Cells

N AT U RA L K I L L E R ( N K ) C E L L S
• Natural Killer (NK) cells are a type of cytotoxic lymphocyte that plays a critical role in
the innate immune system, primarily known for their ability to detect and destroy
infected cells and tumor cells.
• NK Cells performs various functions which include:
• Cell Mediated Cytotoxicity
• Production of Cytokines
• Immunoregulation
• Antitumour Activity
CELL-MEDIATED CYTOTOXICITY
NK cells are capable of directly killing virus-infected cells, cancer cells, and
other abnormal cells without prior sensitization or activation. Upon recognition
of a stressed or abnormal cell, NK cells release cytotoxic granules containing
perforin and granzymes. Perforin creates pores in the target cell’s membrane,
while granzymes enter through these pores to induce apoptosis (programmed
cell death) in the target cell.
PRODUCTION OF CYTOKINES
NK cells are potent producers of cytokines, such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ),
tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukins (IL-10, IL-13). These
cytokines play crucial roles in regulating immune responses. IFN-γ, in
particular, enhances the ability of macrophages to phagocytose pathogens
and stimulates the adaptive immune response by promoting the differentiation
of T helper cells and cytotoxic T cells.
IMMUNOREGULATION
NK cells participate in the regulation of immune responses by interacting
with other immune cells, such as dendritic cells, macrophages, and T
cells. They can modulate the activity of these cells through cytokine
production and direct cell-cell interactions.They also contribute to the
maintenance of immune tolerance by eliminating cells that lack self MHC
class I molecules, which is a common feature of infected or transformed
cells.
ANTITUMOUR ACTIVITY
NK cells play a significant role in immunosurveillance against cancer. They
can detect and eliminate tumor cells that display altered or downregulated
MHC class I molecules and other stress-induced ligands.
PHAGOCYTES
Phagocytes are specialized white blood cells that act as the body’s garbage
disposal system, engulfing and destroying bacteria, dead cells, and debris. It is
a large, round cell with a lobed nucleus and extensions of cytoplasm
(pseudopods) used for engulfing particles that are foreign in the body. Types of
these phagocytes include neutrophils, macrophages and dendritic cells.
The Phagocytic Process Include;
1. Recognition:Phagocytes have receptors on their surface that recognize
specific molecules on bacteria, dead cells, or debris.
2. Engulfment: Pseudopods extend and surround the target particle, forming a
phagosome.
3. Lysosome fusion: Lysosomes containing digestive enzymes fuse with the
phagosome to form a phagolysosome.
3. Lysosome fusion: Lysosomes
containing digestive enzymes fuse with
the phagosome to form a phagolysosome.
4. Digestion:Enzymes within the phagolysosome break down the

engulfed material into its components.
5. Elimination: Waste products from digestion may be eliminated

from the cell or recycled for cellular processes.
B CELLS
Also known as B lymphocytes, they are a crucial component of the adaptive
immune system. These cells are primarily responsible for producing
antibodies, which are proteins that specifically target and neutralize foreign
pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. B cells originate from hematopoietic
stem cells in the bone marrow and undergo maturation before they are
released into the bloodstream.
ACTIONS OF B CELLS
B cells have B cell receptors (BCRs) on their surface, which are specific to particular
antigens. When a BCR binds to its specific antigen, the B cell internalizes the antigen
and presents fragments of it on its surface using molecules called MHC class II. This
process is crucial for the activation of helper T cells, which in turn assist in B cell
activation.
ACTIONS OF B CELLS
. T helper cells recognize these antigen-MHC complexes and release cytokines,
signaling molecules like IL-4, IL-6, and IL-21, which further activate the B cell.
This interaction ensures that the B cell response is specific and robust.
. Activated B cells undergo clonal expansion to produce a large population of
cells that have the same antigen specificity. During this phase, some B cells
may undergo somatic hypermutation and class switching to produce antibodies
with higher affinity and different isotypes (IgM, IgG, IgA, IgE), tailoring the
immune response to the type and location of the infection.
. The B cells proliferate to give rise to plasma cells and memory B cells. The plasma
cells secrete large amounts of antibodies. These antibodies circulate in the blood
and lymph, binding to the antigens on pathogens, neutralizing them, or marking
them for destruction by other immune cells such as macrophages and natural killer
cells. The memory B cells persist in the body for long periods, often for years or even
a lifetime and provide immunological memory, which allows the immune system to
respond more rapidly and effectively if the same antigen is encountered again.
T CELLS
T cells are one of the important types of white blood cells of the immune system and play
a central role in the adaptive immune response. T cells can be distinguished from other
lymphocytes by the presence of a T-cell receptor (TCR) on their cell surface. T cells are
born from hematopoietic stem cells,found in the bone marrow and they mature in the
thymus, hence the name T cells.
There are two main types of T cells:

Cytotoxic T cells
Helper T cells
CY TOTOXIC T CE LLS
Cytotoxic T cells (CTLs), also known as killer T cells and CD8+ cells, directly eliminate
infected cells by releasing chemicals that induce cell death. These cells directly target
and destroy infected cells by releasing perforin and granzymes, which create pores in
the infected cell membrane, leading to cell death.
HELPER T CELLS
Helper T cells (Th cells), as the name implies, assist other immune cells in eliminating
pathogens. They do not directly kill infected cells but rather secrete cytokines,
chemical messengers that signal other immune cells to attack and destroy pathogens.
T CELL ACTION
. T cells are mobilized when they encounter antigen presenting cells such as dendritic
cells. The dendritic cells bind to the antigen and produce cytokines for the recruitment
of macrophages. This breaks down the antigen into fragments. The antigen fragments
are then bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on the surface of
the antigen-presenting cell (APC). MHC molecules are proteins that help the immune
system distinguish between self and non-self.
. The T cell has a T cell receptor (TCR) on its surface. When the TCR on a T cell binds to
the MHC class II molecule with the peptide antigen, the T cell becomes activated. Once
activated, the T cell secretes cytokines, in which some activate B cells to produce
antibodies, while others stimulate cytotoxic T cells to kill infected cells.
T CELL ACTION
. Although they’re not considered one of the main T-cell types, regulatory T-cells
(suppressor cells) play an essential role in the immune system. These cells
reduce the activity of other T-cells when necessary. They can prevent T-cells
from attacking the body’s healthy cells. Also the effector or killer T cells undergo
apoptosis to reduce their number while some naive T cells are differentiated into
memory at cells that remain in the body for future re-exposure.

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B C H 3 2 1 : G RO U P 6 P RE SE N TATI O N

Functions of NK Cells, Phagocytes, B-Cells and T-Cells

4. Digestion:Enzymes within the phagolysosome break down the

5. Elimination: Waste products from digestion may be eliminated

There are two main types of T cells:

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