Homing (biology)
In immunology, homing refers to the return of immunocompetent lymphocytes (immune cells) via the lymphatic system to the lymph nodes or via the bloodstream to the spleen after they have roamed through all tissues in order to track down structures foreign to the body (e.g. viruses or bacteria ). Those immune cells that are specifically directed against the structures recognized as foreign then multiply there. They form activated immune cells, which can then carry out the immune attack against the molecularly foreign themselves or through the formation of specific antibodies .
Web links
- Homing molecules: How migrating cells find their way home , on Meine-molekuele.de