Which Cells are Involved in the Innate Immune Response?
Several types of cells play crucial roles in the innate immune response:
Macrophages: These are large phagocytic cells derived from monocytes. They are present in tissues and can engulf and digest pathogens and cellular debris. Neutrophils: These are the most abundant type of white blood cells and are among the first to arrive at the site of infection. They also perform phagocytosis. Dendritic Cells: These cells act as antigen-presenting cells and bridge the innate and adaptive immune responses by processing and presenting antigens to T cells. Natural Killer Cells: These cells can recognize and kill infected or cancerous cells without the need for prior activation.