Question

1. What are the key molecules involved in leukocyte migration? Can you describe the process of it?
2. How do phagocytes ingest and kill microbes

Answer 1

Key molecules involved in leukocyte migration: The leukocyte locomotion is made effective by the adhesion molecules which initiates cell to cell and cell to matrix interactions. They act as signaling molecules, which serve as therapeutic agents for fighting inflammation. The movement of leukocytes from the blood into the tissues require multiple adhesion molecules. Phagocytes ingest and kill microbes which is called as phagocytosis .It is an endocytosis process which involves four different stages:

• Activation of phagocytes
• Chemotaxis of phagocytes.
• Attachment of the phagocytes
• Ingestion of the cell by the phagocytes.

There occurs a process of ingestion by enclosing in an intracellular membrane vesicle, which occurs outside the vascular system. The macrophages are the initial cell to defend and engulf the microbes in innate immunity.