The cells that form the porcine immune system are very varied in terms of their structure and function. All come from a pluripotent progenitor cell in the bone marrow, from which two different lineages are created: The lymphoid lineage and the myeloid lineage.
Fig 1. Cell lineages derived from the progenitor cell.
THE LYMPHOID LINEAGE. The different types of porcinelymphocytes are derived from this lineage. It is responsible for carrying out the main functions of the immune system and enables it to specifically react against foreign molecules, as well as memorise them in preparation for a possible future invasion (memory). From this line are derived:
The B LYMPHOCYTES are produced in the bone marrow and are responsible for the production of antibodies. Humoral immunity.
The different types of T LYMPHOCYTES come from the thymus and are responsible for helping produce antibodies and for the response mechanisms of Cellular Immunity.
THE MYELOID LINEAGE.Cells known as accessory or antigen-presenting cells are derived from this lineage. Although they do not respond to specificity mechanisms they pertain to natural or innate immunity, and play an essential role in the initiation of adaptive immunity . The accessory cells can even act as effector cells in some immune mechanisms.
This group of cells comprises of:
MONOCYTES and MACROPHAGES.
GRANULOCYTES:
EOSINOPHILS.
NEUTROPHILS.
BASOPHILS.
DENDRITIC CELLS.
The main functions of these cells are:
Phagocytosis
Antigen presentation
Cytokine production
In this chapter we will review: porcinelymphocytes, their characteristics and functions, and the different methods currently available for studying them.
