Lymphocyte Organelles: Essential Components of Immune Cells
Lymphocytes (T, B, NK cells) are specialized leukocytes with organelles tailored for immune function:
- Nucleus: Dense chromatin; contains genome; site of V(D)J recombination (B/T cells).
- Ribosomes: Abundant free and ER‑bound; high protein synthesis (antibodies, cytokines, perforin/granzymes).
- Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum: Prominent in plasma cells (antibody factories).
- Golgi Apparatus: Processes, sorts, packages secretory proteins.
- Mitochondria: Generate ATP for activation, proliferation, cytotoxicity.
- Lysosomes: Contain perforin, granzymes (cytotoxic T/NK); hydrolytic enzymes.
- Centrosome/MTOC: Polarizes toward immune synapse for directed secretion.
- Surface Receptors: TCR/BCR (antigen recognition), CD4/CD8, cytokine receptors, adhesion molecules (LFA‑1).
- Cytoskeleton: Actin/tubulin dynamics enable migration, synapse formation, shape changes.
These organelles coordinate antigen recognition, signaling, clonal expansion, and effector functions (cytotoxicity, antibody secretion, cytokine release).
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