The transfer of white blood cells between the lymphatic vessels, lymphoid organs, and blood circulation is the backbone of the human defence mechanism.
The transfer of white blood cells between the lymphatic vessels, lymphoid organs, and blood circulation is the backbone of the human defence mechanism.
– The lymphatic system transports pathogens from the inflamed area, such as flesh wound, to sentinel lymph nodes, in which lymphocytes become activated and trained to destroy the intruders. Ready for action, the lymphocytes then leave the lymph nodes and proceed purposefully via blood circulation to the wound to wipe out the pathogens, explains Academician of Science, Professor of Immunology Sirpa Jalkanen from the University of Turku.
However, lymphocyte activation requires time, and that is why briskly functioning neutrophils are needed in the frontline of defence to destroy the pathogens and to prevent the inflammation from spreading without the training phase.
– For decades, the lymphatic vasculature has been thought to be only a passive set of channels in which cells and fluids flow from the peripheral parts of the body and return to blood circulation with the pumping force powered by heartbeat and the valves preventing the reflux of lymph, says Jalkanen.
Read more at: University of Turku
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