Large granular lymphocyte

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Large Granular Lymphocyte (LGL) is a type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system. These cells are characterized by their large size and the presence of granules in their cytoplasm. They play a crucial role in the body's defense against infection and disease.

Function[edit | edit source]

LGLs are primarily involved in the immune response to viral infections. They are capable of killing infected cells directly, and also produce cytokines, which are chemical messengers that help to coordinate the immune response.

Types[edit | edit source]

There are two main types of LGLs: Natural Killer (NK) cells and T-cells. NK cells are part of the innate immune system and can kill infected cells without prior exposure to the pathogen. T-cells, on the other hand, are part of the adaptive immune system and require prior exposure to the pathogen to mount an effective response.

Disorders[edit | edit source]

Disorders of LGLs can lead to a variety of medical conditions. For example, Large granular lymphocytic leukemia is a rare type of cancer that involves the proliferation of LGLs. On the other hand, a decrease in the number of LGLs can lead to an increased susceptibility to infections.

See also[edit | edit source]

Large granular lymphocyte Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD