Skip to main content
. 2004 Oct 5;101(Suppl 2):14560–14566. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0404758101

Table 2. Cells and functions of the innate immune system.

Cells and systems Important functions
Macrohages/monocytes Engulf, destroy invaders, secrete cytokines, signal cell proliferation
Dendritic cells Pattern recognition, secrete cytokines, influence adaptive immune response
NK cells Recognize the abnormal and kill
NK T cells Recognize lipid antigens, activate T cells
Phagocytic, inflammatory
   Neutrophils Phagocytic, inflammatory at site of tissue damage
   Eosinophils Recognize allergens, helminths, bring inflammation
   Mast and basophils Cytokine, important to inflammatory and allergic responses
Soluble factors
   Cytokines, chemokines Chemical messengers; signal cellular responses
   Complement Complex proteolytic enzymes Opsonize, lyse cells, mediate inflammation