Previous immunology tutorials said this:
Now for alphanumeric “cell ID” and “communication
molecules.”
Two immuno cells look about the same.
But with a really good microscope, you can
see that this cell has little number 4's on
its surface,
while this cell has lots of number 8s.
These cell differences (or CDs) tell you what
kind of cell it is.
The cell with 4's on the surface are CD4 cells,
suggesting that you're looking at a helper
T cell.
With CD8, it's probably a killer T-Cell.
Other CDs are nametags for other cell types,
and combination of CDs are also helpful for
identification.
Communication molecules:
The first cell “talks” to the second cell
by sending a molecule.
This signaling molecule is a “cytokine”
or “cell - do”
There are many types of cytokines
“Interferons” “interfere” with intracellular
viral replication.
“Tumor necrosis factor” fights cancerous
cells
And Inter leukins signal “between” “white”
blood cells.
To complicate things, there are subtypes.
For example IL-1 signals inflammation,
and IL-2 upregulates adaptive cellular immune
response.
Further complexity is due to multiple functions
for the same molecules.
TNF fights cancer, but it also does inflammation
and attracts other immuno cells.
These complexities are best learned from a
textbook table,
now that you have an overview of CD, IL, and
other alphanumeric immuno terms.
Pause and review
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