How Many Types of Immune Cells are There?

Immunity is a well-known word that means strength to fight diseases. And we are likely to get this immunity from the various cells in our body called immune cells.

Immune cells are responsible for antibodies, which provide us protection from any kind of harmful disease to occur. Not only this but these immune cells are distributed in different parts of our body that performs several functions.

And one of the most interesting facts about immune cells is that they can be stored separately for future purposes, and that is known as immune cell banking.

There are five different types of immune cells, namely IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, and IgD. Let us see what the different functions of all these immune cells of our body are.

IgG

Every immune cell is important in our body, but as studies have shown, IgG is one of the most important immune cells that provide us the best defense mechanism against any kind of bacteria.

It not only caters to having a powerful capability of holding the toxins and bacteria in check but it is also considered to be the only isotope able to pass through the placenta. This is an immune cell that is very helpful for a newborn. At its birth, it gets passed on from a mother’s womb to the child.

IgA

The IgA is known to stay in the shape of Y, that too in a single form of monomer. But later on, it becomes a structure of two monomers or dimers. These dimers are found in secretions, namely saliva, nasal discharge, and bowel fluid.

The formation of this dimer becomes important to prevent bacteria from taking over a mucous membrane. The presence of the IgA immune cell in the breast milk also protects the newborns from any kind of gastrointestinal tract infection or bacterial invasion.

IgM

One of the primary immune cells that are distributed in the blood is IgM. It is formed by the five Y-shaped structural units. It is produced only when the B cells invade the pathogens. From the initial level of body protection, it plays a very important role.

IgE

In the beginning, the presence of IgE was not connected to human beings. Initially, it was related to parasites. But, with time, studies have shown that it is involved with multiple allergies, for example, pollinosis.

IgD

The presence of IgD is found on the B cells but generally on the surface of it. In antibody induction, these immune cells are known to perform vital functions, thereby protecting us. In the case of respiratory tract infections also, these immune cells perform vital functions.

The immune cells are one of the most integral parts of our human bodies, and without them, we would have often fallen sick. People with a weakened immune system can benefit from immune cell banking.