Immune and inflammatory cells

Immune and inflammatory cells, collectively known as leukocytes, are the primary effectors of the immune system and are responsible for maintaining host defense and tissue homeostasis (StatPearls, 2023). This category encompasses various cell lineages, including myeloid cells (neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells) and lymphoid cells (T cells, B cells, Natural Killer cells), each playing distinct roles in innate and adaptive immunity (NIH, 2024). In pathological states, these cells can drive chronic inflammation, autoimmunity, or contribute to the tumor microenvironment, making them central to drug development (Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 2020). However, "Immune and inflammatory cells" is a descriptive term for a cellular population rather than a single molecular target like a receptor or enzyme. Therapeutic agents typically modulate these cells by targeting specific proteins such as cytokines (e.g., TNF-alpha), cell surface receptors (e.g., CD20), or intracellular signaling pathways (e.g., JAK/STAT) (PubMed, 2022).

Other names

LeukocytesWhite blood cellsInflammatory cellsImmune cell populationInflammatory infiltrate

Modulation of cellular activity via specific molecular targets such as cytokines, surface antigens, or intracellular signaling kinases to suppress or enhance immune responses.