• Question: Which immune system cell is the most effective killing pathogens?

    Asked by Pol Gaba to Carmen, Daniel, Laura, Noel, Steph on 12 Mar 2015.
    • Photo: Stephanie Dyson

      Stephanie Dyson answered on 12 Mar 2015:

      Phagocytes including Macrophages and dendritic cells are the most effective at killing things inside tissues.

    • Photo: Carmen Denman

      Carmen Denman answered on 12 Mar 2015:

      Hi Pol,

      I agree with Stephanie, and also I would add – each different type of cell in the immune system have individual important roles or ‘specialties’. I wouldn’t want to choose just one that was most effective, because it is really a network working together. Also, which immune cell is most effective at killing pathogens can vary based on what pathogen (parasite, virus, bacteria, location of infection, etc…) is trying to cause disease!

      Cheers,
      Carmen

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