Safe Immunity
Phagocytic degradation of microbes and apoptotic microbe-infested cell is a much safer and effective way of combatting infections. This is the ultimate goal of acquired, specific immunity. Otherwise, necroptosis and necrosis result in non-specific events outside the controlled and protective environment of the phagolysome inside the phagocyte. The extent of degradation is dependent on the opsonization of the usually toxic antigens. Toxic antigenic material will damage the phagolysosomal membrane, the plasma membrane and cause the premature dumping of microbes out of the cell. Hence, even cytokines, which are intrinsically toxic, like TNF, and aid in inflammation, and by extension, in the influx of leucocytes, will prevent effective phagocytosis. Normally, opsonizing antibodies promote safe and effective phagocytosis, and cytotoxic T-cells, that promote apoptosis of infected host cells, help in enclosing t...