Unleashing the Immune Arsenal: Strategies to Attack and Destroy Infected Cells

Attack and destroy infected cells.

When our bodies are infected with pathogens such as bacteria or viruses, our immune system launches various defense mechanisms to fight off the infection

When our bodies are infected with pathogens such as bacteria or viruses, our immune system launches various defense mechanisms to fight off the infection. One of these mechanisms involves attacking and destroying infected cells.

Infected cells are cells that have been invaded and taken over by the pathogens. These cells can actively produce more pathogens or serve as hiding places for the pathogens to evade the immune system. Therefore, it is crucial for our immune system to identify and eliminate these infected cells to prevent the infection from spreading.

There are several ways in which our immune system can attack and destroy infected cells:

1. Natural Killer (NK) cells: NK cells are a type of white blood cell that play a critical role in recognizing and killing infected cells. They can identify infected cells through various mechanisms, such as detecting changes on the surface of the cells or detecting the absence of certain proteins. Once an infected cell is identified, NK cells release cytotoxic molecules, such as perforin and granzymes, which induce the infected cell to undergo programmed cell death, also known as apoptosis.

2. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs): CTLs are another type of white blood cell, specifically T cells, that are capable of recognizing and killing infected cells. CTLs recognize infected cells by binding to specific molecules called antigens that are present on the surface of infected cells. Once the CTL binds to the antigen, it releases cytotoxic molecules, such as perforin and granzymes, which lead to the death of the infected cell.

3. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC): Antibodies are molecules produced by B cells in response to an infection. These antibodies can bind to antigens present on the surface of infected cells, marking them for destruction. Other components of the immune system, such as NK cells, can then recognize the bound antibodies and induce the death of the infected cells.

4. Phagocytosis: Phagocytes, including macrophages and neutrophils, are immune cells that can engulf and destroy infected cells. They recognize the presence of pathogens through various receptors on their surface, which allows them to bind to infected cells and internalize them. Once inside the phagocyte, the infected cell is destroyed through mechanisms such as the production of toxic molecules or exposure to acidic environments within phagosomes.

Overall, the immune system has multiple strategies to attack and destroy infected cells. Through the combined efforts of NK cells, CTLs, ADCC, and phagocytes, infected cells are eliminated, preventing the spread of infection and allowing the body to recover.

More Answers: