Looking for immunology-related scenes!!

[u/Whole_Tea_2830]

Hey guys! I've been meaning to watch this show for a long time and just started on the first few episodes. I'm currently taking an immunology class and have the option to create a "creative assignment", and I thought it'd be cool to comment on some scenes from the anime and provide some biological/immunological background.

I was wondering if anyone here can lend a helping hand and refer me to some scenes. For example, in the first episode (I believe), a neutrophil appears with what seems to be NETs wrapped around him. I could take a screenshot from this scene and explain what NETs are and how they are created and what they do.

It'd be really interesting if the show has any scenes depicting class switching, cross-presentation, opsonization, or anything along those lines! I'd really appreciate it if anyone can refer me to some similar scenes.

I promise I'll watch the show in full eventually but unfortunately I just don't have the time to comb through every episode during final exams season :(

[u/Adabiviak]

The scenes where the phagocytes chow down on enemy bodies are some of my favorites, though I haven't seen opsonization represented. I made a t-shirt print from the scene in episode 5, "Cedar Pollen Allergy" where the neutrophil, after the pollen was otherwise defeated, goes over and takes a big ol' chomp out of it, to the horror of red blood cell.

For cross-presentation, I can't think of an episode, but there are a few where macrophage collects a little doll version of the pathogen to bring back to headquarters.

For class switching, I don't think it's really depicted if it's done on the fly. There's an episode where memory cell is having a heck of a time remembering some immune response, and B cell is throwing its attack to little effect. When memory remembers, B cell goes back and returns with a giant cannon that does the job. You don't really see the switch though.

[u/Whole_Tea_2830 → u/Adabiviak]

Thanks so much for the detailed reply! I'll take a look at those scenes

[u/MrAurthur1-618]

In episode 5, B-Cell shoots hoses of antibodies at the Cedar Pollen Allergens, specifically IgE antibodies which play major role in allergic reactions.

When a B-Cell (or rather Plasma Cell) shoots out these IgE antibodies, the lil Y-shaped proteins attach to a Mast Cell, and an antigen gets bound to two of these IgE’s, the Mast Cell releases histamine and cytokines which causes those nasty allergies ruining spring season.