Leukocytes DSA 8/26 Flashcards
1
Q
What routes (patterns) do leukocytes take as they move around the body?
A
- Leukocytes (Neutorophils and Monocytes) travel from their bone marrow site of maturation into tissue sites of infection or injury, where the cells perform their protective functions of eliminating infectious pathogens, clearing dead tissues and repairing the damage.
- Unactivated leukocytes are normally located in the circulation and lymphoid organs. After they leave this resting state they are rapidly recruited to where they need to go. The activating stimuli are products of microbes and dead cells.
- Endothelial cells at sites of infection and tissue injury are acticated (in response to cytokines secreted by macrophages). Activation of endothelial cells results in increased adhesiveness of endothelial cells for circulating leukocytes.
- Inflammation: the recruitment of leukocytes and plasma proteins from the blood to sites of infection. This is triggered by recognition of microbes in innate response.
