phagocytes
Infection-fighting immune cells
Phagocytes are cells that engulf and digest foreign particles, bacteria, and dead or dying cells.
The term covers several cell types in the immune system—white blood cells like neutrophils and macrophages—that defend the body by literally eating invaders.
Phagocytes swarm to the site of infection.
Pathogen-engulfing white blood cells
- monocytesCirculating immune phagocytes
- eosinophilsGranular leukocytes fighting parasites
- basophilsHistamine-containing white blood cells
- microgliaCNS immune cells
osteoclasts · Langerhans cells · leukocytes · myeloid · hematopoiesis · lymphoid · mononuclear · circulating
Inherited pathogen defense system
- cytokinesImmune signaling proteins
- chemotaxisMovement toward chemical cues
- inflammationProtective tissue response
- antimicrobialKills or inhibits germs
interleukins · interferons · inflammatory response · immune defense · cytotoxic · bactericidal
Cellular ingestion of particles
- endocytosisCell engulfs external material
- receptor-mediatedInitiated through surface binding
- ingestionConsuming into the body
- lysosomeDigestive organelle in cells
digestion · engulfing · internalization · vesicle · pattern recognition · toll-like receptors · trigger mechanism
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusesSubmicroscopic infectious particles
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- parasitesOrganisms feeding off hosts
- microbesMicroscopic living organisms
debris · antigens · dead cells
Restoration after injury
- tissue repairBiological wound healing process
- remodelingAltering existing structures
- fibrosisPathological connective tissue buildup
- scar formationFibrous tissue replacing damaged skin
neutrophils
Pathogen-engulfing white blood cells
- monocytesCirculating immune phagocytes
- eosinophilsGranular leukocytes fighting parasites
- basophilsHistamine-containing white blood cells
microglia · osteoclasts · Langerhans cells · leukocytes · myeloid · hematopoiesis · lymphoid · mononuclear · circulating
innate immunity
Inherited pathogen defense system
- cytokinesImmune signaling proteins
- chemotaxisMovement toward chemical cues
- inflammationProtective tissue response
antimicrobial · interleukins · interferons · inflammatory response · immune defense · cytotoxic · bactericidal
phagocytosis
Cellular ingestion of particles
- endocytosisCell engulfs external material
- receptor-mediatedInitiated through surface binding
- ingestionConsuming into the body
lysosome · digestion · engulfing · internalization · vesicle · pattern recognition · toll-like receptors · trigger mechanism
bacteria
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusesSubmicroscopic infectious particles
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
- parasitesOrganisms feeding off hosts
microbes · debris · antigens · dead cells
wound healing
Restoration after injury
- tissue repairBiological wound healing process
- remodelingAltering existing structures
- fibrosisPathological connective tissue buildup
scar formation · regeneration · growth factors · anti-inflammatory
- immunityimmune, immunity, immune system, immune response, immune cells
- immunologyimmune system, immune response, antibodies, antigens, immunity
- immune cellsT cells, lymphocytes, monocyte, monocytes, neutrophil
- phagocytesmonocytes, neutrophils, microglia, osteoclasts, Langerhans cells
- cell biologycell membrane, cell division, cytoplasm, ribosome, mitochondria
- blood cellsred blood cell, red blood cells, white blood cell, white blood cells, red cells
phagocytesantibodies
Proteins targeting pathogens
immunoglobulins · complement proteins · plasma cells · cytokines · lymphocytes