Origin and Differentiation of Immune Cells

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the fundamental cellular source responsible for the generation and maintenance of immune cells. HSCs possess long-term self-renewal capacity and multilineage differentiation potential. Through a series of processes involving hematopoietic progenitor formation and lineage commitment, HSCs give rise to both lymphoid and myeloid lineages, ultimately generating mature immune cells, including T cells, B cells, NK cells, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and various granulocytes.

Although different immune cell types share a common hematopoietic origin, their development is regulated by distinct transcription factors, cytokine signals, and tissue microenvironments, leading to the acquisition of diverse phenotypes and specialized immune functions.

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Major Regulatory Factors