Prostaglandins and Immunity

Immune mechanisms fall into two major classes: firstly, reactions of humoral immunity involving the generation of antibodies by bone marrow derived thymus independent lymphocytes (B-lymphocytes); secondly, reactions of cellular immunity involving the generation of lymphokines, by thymus dependent lymphocytes (T-lymphocytes). Lymphokines are macromolecular agents, probably glycoprotein, which affect a range of cell types, including macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes, osteoclasts and vascular endothelium. Within this general framework there exists a range of cell/cell interactions to both specific antigens and nonspecific stimuli of lymphocyte function leading to the generation of antibodies or lymphokines. As well as mediator release in response to antigen stimulus T-lymphocytes are involved in the control of antibody secretion. Macrophages also play a role in the allergic response serving to regulate the secretion of lymphokines or antibodies. Neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils are more usually considered to be involved in immediate hypersensitivity anaphylactic type reactions though involvement in other responses may be more than incidental (e.g. basophils in Jones-Mote responses).