Inflammation & Immunity

All information can be found in and has been cited from; The Lupus Book (Fourth Edition) A Guide for Patients and their Families by Daniel J Wallace, M.D. (pg. 17-19)

Inflammatory and immune responses are responsible for many of the symptoms seen in systemic lupus. The body of a healthy individual is always on the lookout for foreign invaders that pose a threat. Hence, one's immunity.

There are many different components regarding one's blood supply. One's blood supply consists of different components, including:

Red Blood Cells (erythrocytes): responsible for the carrying and exchanging of oxygen. If someone has a low red blood cell count, they are suffering from something called Anemia.

White Blood Cells (leukocytes): it is these cells that make up the body's main defense system. White blood cells play a huge role in inflammation.

Platelets: it is one's platelets that are responsible for clotting blood.

Plasma: it is plasma that makes up the majority of our blood supply. Plasma contains lots of proteins and other substances being transferred to different parts of the body.


There are (5) types of white blood cells that have been identified all relevant to Lupus. The list is as follows:

- Polymorphonuclear Cells: Cells also known as neutrophils or granulocytes, which are made, and found, in our bone marrow. They circulate the blood for a few days which are then passed into tissue. 50%-70% of our circulating white cells are neutrophils (pg. 17)

- Eosinophils: These particular white blood cells make up 0% to 5% of our entire white blood cell supply. Eosinophils are involved in allergic responses. (pg. 18)

- Basophils: These particular cells don't have a defined function. Tissue based basophils are known as "mast cells". These cells fight against parasitic or fungal invasions to the body. They also play a huge role in allergy. (pg. 18)

- Lymphocytes: Gate keepers to our immune system. Also produced in the bone marrow, can survive up to 20 years. (pg. 18)

- Monocytes: The circulating blood component of the "monocyte-macrophage" network. It is these cells that are responsible for processing foreign invaders (antigens) and the destroying cells and tissues that are products of inflammation. Macrophages can be present in blood as well, however they are mostly found in tissue. (pg. 18)

This information is to solely be used as a resource tool for people living with Lupus and auto-immune disease. I thought the information would be an amazing tool for all of us :)

Talk soon...
xo