Cells Involved in Immunity

Abstract

Development of T & B Lymphocytes
Thymus-derived cells (T lymphocytes) mediate cellular immune responses; bone marrow-derived cells (B lymphocytes) are involved in humoral immunity. Both T and B lymphocytes are derived from precursor or stem cells in the marrow.
Precursors of T cells migrate to the thymus, where they develop some of the functional and cell surface characteristics of mature T cells. Through positive and negative selection, clones of autoreactive T cells are eliminated, and mature T cells migrate to the peripheral lymphoid tissues.