The key difference between lymphocytes and macrophages is that lymphocytes are white blood cells involved in adaptive immunity, while macrophages are white blood cells involved in innate immunity.
Lymphocytes and macrophages are two different types of white blood cells involved in the immunity of humans. Immunity is mainly of two types: innate immunity and adaptive immunity. Innate immunity is carried out through barriers such as skin, mucous, and some special cells such as macrophages and dendrites. On the other hand, adaptive immunity is carried out through lymphocytes by making antibodies and direct killing pathogens and foreign bodies.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Lymphocytes
3. What are Macrophages
4. Similarities – Lymphocytes and Macrophages
5. Lymphocytes vs Macrophages in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Lymphocytes vs Macrophages
What are Lymphocytes?
Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell. These cells help the immune system of the human body by fighting against cancers, foreign viruses, and bacteria. They are present in the blood and lymphoid tissue. There are two main types of lymphocytes: T cells (directly attack and kill infected cells and tumor cells and help B lymphocyte function) and B cells (make antibodies which are proteins that target viruses, bacteria and other foreign invaders). Moreover, there are three types of T cells as cytotoxic T cells (kill infected cells), helper T cells (help B cells to make antibodies against foreign invaders) and regulatory T cells (regulatory T cells make substances that help end the immune system’s response to an attack).
Figure 01: Lymphocytes
Lymphocytes are bigger than red blood cells. But they are still microscopic in size. Each tiny lymphocyte has a large nucleus at its center. The nucleus is dark purple in colour, while the cytoplasm is a jelly-like material with a purplish colour. Furthermore, in adults, the normal range of lymphocytes is between 1000 to 4800 lymphocytes in every 1 microliter of blood. The diseases that cause abnormal levels of lymphocytes include hepatitis, syphilis, mononucleosis, lymphocytes, HIV/AIDS, blood diseases such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma, autoimmune diseases, ataxia telangiectasia, and DiGeorge syndrome. In addition, the above lymphocyte-associated diseases have common symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, night sweats, fever, abdominal pain, loss of appetite and shortness of breath. These symptoms can be overcome by using a healthy diet plan, getting plenty of rest, and avoiding germs and other specific medications.
What are Macrophages?
Macrophages are white blood cells that are involved in innate immunity. They are very large in size and located in the tissues specialized for phagocytosis. Macrophages are mainly involved in the detection, phagocytosis and destruction of bacteria and other harmful organisms. In addition to that, they can present antigens to T cells and initiate inflammation by releasing cytokines that activate other cells. Macrophages originate from blood monocytes, which leave the circulation system to differentiate into different tissues.
Figure 02: Macrophage
Macrophage-associated diseases include sepsis, infection, chronic inflammatory diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. The common symptoms of these diseases include high-grade fever, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, fatigue and hemorrhagic manifestations. These diseases can be overcome by anti-inflammatory medications, antipyretic medications, pain relievers, and rest.
What are the Similarities Between Lymphocytes and Macrophages?
- Lymphocytes and macrophages are two different types of white blood cells that are involved in the immunity of humans.
- Both are very important for the survival of humans.
- The abnormal levels of both cells are associated with diseases.
What is the Difference Between Lymphocytes and Macrophages?
Lymphocytes are white blood cells that are important in adaptive immunity, while macrophages are white blood cells that are important in innate immunity. This is the key difference between lymphocytes and macrophages. Furthermore, lymphocytes are comparatively smaller in size, while macrophages are comparatively larger in size.
The following table summarizes the difference between lymphocytes and macrophages.
Summary – Lymphocytes vs Macrophages
Lymphocytes and macrophages are two different types of white blood cells that involve in the immunity of humans. They are very important for the survival of the humans. Lymphocytes and macrophages can work together in immune responses. Lymphocytes play a key role in adaptive immunity, while macrophages play a key role in innate immunity. This summarizes the difference between lymphocytes and macrophages.
Reference:
1. “Lymphocytes: Function, Definition, Levels & Ranges.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “Macrophages: What Are They, Different Types, Function, and More“. Osmosis.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Immune response of Lymphocytes” By SPQR10 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Cytology of a macrophage” By Mikael Häggström – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia