Functions of body cells
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Functions of Body Cells
Leukocytes: Key Players in Immunity and Inflammation
Leukocytes, or white blood cells, are essential for the body's immune response. They are involved in both innate and adaptive immunity, playing a critical role in defending against pathogens and managing inflammation. Leukocytes contain lipid bodies, which are lipid-rich organelles that interact with other cellular structures to produce eicosanoids and store cytokines. These lipid bodies act as platforms for organizing signaling pathways that lead to the secretion of inflammatory mediators, making them crucial in various inflammatory diseases1. Additionally, leukocytes form complex networks with epithelial cells to regulate host defense, tissue repair, and cancer growth2.
Epithelial Cells: Barriers and Regulators
Epithelial cells (ECs) cover the body's surfaces, such as the skin, airways, and intestinal tract, forming a barrier between the external environment and the body's interior. They play a vital role in protecting the immune system from external microorganisms and regulating tissue repair. ECs interact with leukocytes to manage inflammation and immune responses, ensuring tissue homeostasis and preventing chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer2.
Adipocytes: Beyond Energy Storage
Adipocytes, commonly known as fat cells, have functions that extend beyond energy storage. In Drosophila, fat body cells, which are equivalent to vertebrate adipocytes, actively migrate to wounds to aid in repair and prevent infection. These cells collaborate with hemocytes (macrophages) to clear debris, seal wound gaps, and release antimicrobial peptides, highlighting their role in wound healing and immune defense3.
Red Blood Cells: More Than Oxygen Transport
Red blood cells (RBCs) are primarily known for transporting oxygen from the lungs to tissues. However, recent research suggests that RBCs also play a role in systemic metabolic homeostasis and interact with other cell types, including immune cells. This expanded understanding of RBC functions could lead to new therapeutic approaches for conditions like hypoxemia, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases6.
Nuclear Bodies: Centers of Cellular Regulation
Nuclear bodies within the cell nucleus are dynamic structures composed of proteins and RNA molecules. They are involved in various aspects of nuclear metabolism, including the biogenesis of ribonucleoprotein complexes, mRNA processing, and protein sequestration. Nuclear bodies play roles in stress responses, innate immunity, and tumorigenesis, with their formation governed by scaffolding noncoding RNAs and liquid-liquid phase separation4.
Tissue-Resident Memory T Cells: Local Immune Specialists
Tissue-resident memory T cells are specialized subsets of T cells that provide enhanced regional immunity. These cells are crucial for protection against infections and cancer, and their development and function are tailored to specific tissues. Understanding the mechanisms behind their specialization can inform vaccine design and improve immune protection7.
Innate Lymphoid Cells: Tissue-Specific Immune Regulators
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a family of immune cells that reside in various tissues, where they contribute to tissue homeostasis and respond to local environmental changes. ILCs adapt to their specific tissue environments and play roles in conditions like obesity, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease. Advanced single-cell platforms are providing new insights into the functions of ILCs in human health and disease8.
Myeloid Cells: Diverse Functions in Immunity
Myeloid cells, including macrophages, dendritic cells, and granulocytes, are essential for both innate and adaptive immunity. These cells can be manipulated by the tumor microenvironment to become immunosuppressive, helping tumors evade the immune response. Understanding the complex interactions within the myeloid cell system is crucial for developing strategies to counteract tumor-induced immunosuppression9.
Dendritic Cells: Controllers of Immune Responses
Dendritic cells are pivotal in controlling immune responses by capturing and processing antigens, activating lymphocytes, and tolerizing T cells to self-antigens. They play a crucial role in initiating immune responses and preventing autoimmune reactions, making them powerful tools for manipulating the immune system10.
Conclusion
Body cells perform a wide array of functions essential for maintaining health and responding to disease. From leukocytes and epithelial cells in immune defense to adipocytes in wound healing and red blood cells in metabolic regulation, each cell type has specialized roles that contribute to the body's overall function. Understanding these diverse cellular functions can lead to new therapeutic strategies and improve our ability to manage various health conditions.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Leukocyte lipid bodies regulation and function: contribution to allergy and host defense.
Lipid bodies play a critical role in regulating inflammation and are potential targets for novel anti-inflammatory therapies.
Highly CitedInteractions between epithelial cells and leukocytes in immunity and tissue homeostasis
Epithelial cells and leukocytes form a complex network that regulates host defense, immunity, inflammation, tissue repair, and cancer growth, with epithelial barrier function being a critical regulator of leukocyte function.
Highly CitedFat Body Cells Are Motile and Actively Migrate to Wounds to Drive Repair and Prevent Infection
Fat body cells in Drosophila actively migrate to wounds, collaborating with hemocytes to clear debris and seal the wound gap, and releasing antimicrobial peptides to prevent infection.
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedNuclear bodies: news insights into structure and function.
Nuclear bodies play a crucial role in nuclear metabolism, stress responses, innate immunity, and tumorigenesis, with new insights into their formation and organization.
Highly CitedRed blood cells as an organ? How deep omics characterization of the most abundant cell in the human body highlights other systemic metabolic functions beyond oxygen transport
Red blood cells may be classified as an organ involved in many functions beyond oxygen transport, potentially leading to novel therapeutic interventions for diseases like hypoxemia, inflammation, neurodegenerative diseases, aging, and cancer.
Highly CitedTissue-resident memory T cells: local specialists in immune defence
Tissue-resident memory T cells enhance regional immunity, offering potential for rational vaccine design and influencing immune protection against infection and cancer.
Highly CitedTissue-Dependent Adaptations and Functions of Innate Lymphoid Cells
Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) adapt to tissue-specific functions and contribute to immune and tissue homeostasis, playing a role in various inflammatory contexts like obesity, asthma, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Coordinated regulation of myeloid cells by tumours
Tumors manipulate the myeloid system to evade the host immune response by altering macrophages, dendritic cells, and granulocytes.
Highly CitedDendritic cells and the control of immunity
Dendritic cells play a crucial role in controlling immunity by capturing and processing antigens, activating lymphocytes, and tolerizing T cells to self-antigens, minimizing autoimmune reactions.
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