ASCP Technologist in Immunology (I) Practice Exam

Neutrophils are the primary cellular mediators associated with immune complex tissue injury. Immune complexes, which are formed when antibodies bind to antigens, can deposit in various tissues and lead to inflammation. When these complexes accumulate in tissues, they activate the complement system and attract neutrophils to the site of deposition.

The role of neutrophils in this context involves their ability to engulf and destroy pathogens, and in cases of immune complex-mediated injury, they can also release inflammatory mediators and enzymes. This release leads to tissue damage and contributes to the pathology seen in conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases where immune complex deposition occurs.

Though other cell types are indeed involved in different aspects of the immune response, they are not primarily linked to the direct tissue injury caused by immune complexes. Monocytes, while they can contribute to inflammation and tissue repair, do not have the same direct role as neutrophils in this specific context. Eosinophils are typically associated with parasitic infections and allergic responses, while B lymphocytes are primarily responsible for antibody production and not directly involved in mediating tissue injury from immune complexes.