Are White Blood Cells Part of the Lymphatic System

White Blood Cells

Leukocytes, also known as white blood cells are divided into three general types:

• lymphocytes: lymphocytes are an immune cells created in bone marrow and often live in the blood and lymph tissue. There are two main types of lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. B lymphocytes make antibodies, and T lymphocytes help kill tumor cells and help control immune responses. [1]
  • T lymphocytes: T lymphocytes, also known as T-cells develop from a common lymphoid progenitor in the bone marrow that also makes B cells. This type of lymphocyte leaves the bone marrow to hangout inside of the thymus. While there they mature and become specialized T-cells. [8] T lymphocytes help fight infections and cancerous cells by directly targeting and destroying them.
  • B lymphocytes: B lymphocytes, also known as B-cells, manufacture antibodies, also known immunoglobulin. They are an essential component of the immune system and develop from stem cells located within bone marrow.
• granulocytes: Granulocytes are the most common type of leukocyte and are identified by the granules within the cell that contain proteins. granulocytes are typically defined by three types, neutrophilic, eosinophil, and basophilic. Each granulocytes releases enzymes when the body is under attack. [2]
  • neutrophilic granulocytes: Also known as neutrophils, these cells help the body fight infection. When microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses, enter the body, neutrophils are one of the first immune cells to respond. They travel to the site of infection, then destroy the microorganisms by ingesting it and releasing enzymes to destroy it. Neutrophils also boost the response of other immune cells. [3]
  • eosinophilic granulocytes: Also known as eosinophils, this type of immune cell that has granules (small particles) with enzymes that are released during infections, allergic reactions, and asthma. [4]
  • basophilic granulocytes: type of immune cell that has granules (small particles) with enzymes and histamines that are released during allergic reactions and asthma. [5]
• monocytes: A type of immune cell that is made in the bone marrow and travels through the blood to tissues in the body where it becomes a macrophage or a dendritic cell. Macrophages surround and kill microorganisms, ingest foreign material, remove dead cells, and boost immune responses. During inflammation, dendritic cells boost immune responses by showing antigens on their surface to other cells of the immune system. A monocyte is a type of white blood cell and phagocyte. [6]
  • monocytes do not have subclassifications like lymphocytes and granulocytes, but may differentiate into:
    • macrophages: This type of cell surrounds and kills microorganisms, removes dead cells, and stimulates the action of other immune system cells. [7]
    • dendritic cells: A special type of immune cell that is found in tissues, such as the skin, and boosts immune responses by showing antigens on its surface to other cells of the immune system. A dendritic cell is a type of phagocyte and a type of antigen-presenting cell (APC). [8]

Citations

[1] National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Lymphocyte. In NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/lymphocyte

[2] Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Granulocytes. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22016-granulocytes

[3] National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Neutrophil. In NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/neutrophil

[4] National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Eosinophil. In NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/eosinophil

[5] National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Basophil. In NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/basophil

[6] National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Monocyte. In NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/monocyte

[7] National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Macrophage. In NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/macrophage

[8] National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Dendritic cell. In NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/dendritic-cell