Linfocitos e linfoquinas

Abstract

The lymphocytes and the lymphokines.

The lymphocytes are the major groups of cells that participate in the immune response.

Lymphocytes have T-cell antigen receptors (TCRJ on their membranes.

The antigens are processed by the macropha­ ges or macrophage-like cells and are presented to T-cells, in the context of major histocompati­ bility comp"lex (MHCJ mo"lecul,es.

The superantigens that include various bacte­ rlal products, do not require processing by anti­ gen-presenting cells, interact directly with inva­ rlant regions of the MHC mo"lecu"les and stimula­ te T-cells nonspeciflcally.

The hybridoma technology and monoclonal an­tibodies has enormously increased the scope of research in Immunology.

Subsets of lymphocytes and other "leukocytes can be differentiated by the antigens oftheir sur­face. The discrete antigens identified by two or more monoclonal antibodies are designated clus­ters of di.fferentiation (CD).

Flow cytometry is a great advance in diagnostic immunology and allows the enumeration of the different types of lymphocytes.

The function of the immune system is modula­ted by numerous signalling compounds produ­ced by lymphoid and other cells (lymphokines, interleukines, stimulating growth factors, etc.) designated generally by cytokines.

The cytokines are implicated in the pathogene­sis of certain diseases and are useful in the tre­atment of the cancer and immunodeflciency di­seases.