Hematopoietic progenitors are stem cells that give rise to different types of blood cells. The two main lineages of these progenitors are myeloid and lymphoid.
Myeloid progenitors develop into red blood cells, platelets, and most white blood cells, including neutrophils, basophils, and monocytes. These cells are primarily involved in the body’s response to infection and in maintaining overall blood health.
On the other hand, lymphoid progenitors specifically give rise to lymphocytes, which include T cells, B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. Lymphocytes play a crucial role in the adaptive immune response, helping the body to remember past infections and fight off future ones.
In summary, the key difference lies in the types of blood cells they produce and the roles those cells play in the immune system and overall health. Myeloid progenitors produce most of the innate immune system cells, while lymphoid progenitors are responsible for the adaptive immune response.