Which cells are primarily responsible for the immune response and are affected by radiation?

T lymphocytes, also known as T cells, play a crucial role in the adaptive immune response. They are primarily responsible for recognizing and responding to specific pathogens, including viruses and some bacteria, as well as to cancer cells. T cells can be further divided into several types, including helper T cells, which assist other cells in the immune response, and cytotoxic T cells, which directly kill infected or cancerous cells.

Radiation exposure can significantly affect T lymphocytes. High doses of radiation can lead to decreased production and impaired function of these cells, compromising the body’s ability to mount an effective immune response. This is particularly concerning in medical contexts such as radiation therapy for cancer patients, where the immune system may be weakened, making them more susceptible to infections.

Neutrophils, while also important in the immune response as the first line of defense against infections, are not as directly impacted by radiation as T lymphocytes. B lymphocytes are responsible for antibody production and can also be affected by radiation, but their primary function is not the direct cellular immune response. Monocytes, which differentiate into macrophages and dendritic cells, are involved in the innate immune response but do not directly mediate the adaptive immune response in the way T lymphocytes do