OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

Dr. A. Giri
Dept. of Life Science
Assam University
Autumn 2018
 Body’s Defense system:

• The defense system protects the body from

the scarier things around it
 It is all about-
• Bacteria
• Virus
• Fungi
• Parasites
• Foreign chemical substances capable of
inflicting harm to the body
Barriers to infection:

Immune response:
The External barriers to infections
 Immune response

Innate Immunity Adaptive Immunity

Non-specific Specific
Leukocyte Memory
Lymphocytes
Components of immunosystem
• Cellular – different types of cells

• Humoral – various secretions by the

immune and other cells – Ig, IL, INF,
Complement etc.
 Cellular components
• Leukocytes are – phagocytes
• Lymphocytes
• Natural killer cells – tumor immunology
 Lymphocytes
• The lymphocytes carry specific receptors
and other cell surface molecules on their
surface which help them in recognition and
mount immune response against the
antigen.
 The Lymphoid organs

Primary Lymphoid organs Secondary Lymphoid

organs
 -primary lymphoid organs (bone
marrow, thymus) are sites where
lymphocytes originate or mature

-secondary lymphoid organs (shown

in blue) are sites where acquired
immune responses are initiated.

-lymphatic fluid is extracellular

fluid that circulates through tissues

-lymphatic vessels (lymphatics)

deliver lymphatic fluid and white
blood cells from sites of infection
to secondary lymphoid tissues
where acquired immunity is
developed.
-lymphoid tissue organization
maximizes interactions between
T and B cells, T cells and
macrophages. These interactions
are essential for antibody
production.
 Lymph Transport

• The lymphatic system lacks a

pumping organ
• Vessels are low-pressure conduits
• Uses the same methods as veins to
propel lymph:
– Pulsations of nearby arteries
– Contractions of smooth muscle in the
walls of the lymphatics
 Lymphatic System
• Lymphatic Vessels – transport only
in the direction toward the heart .
– Pick up the “extra” tissue fluid that
capillaries leave
– Lymph – the interstitial fluid carried by
lymphatics
• Lymphatic Organs – “filtration”
devices staged at various important
junction points in the body
The Bone Marrow
The Bone Marrow

All the cells involved in the

immune response originate in
the bone marrow

Except for T- cells, all other

cells mature in bone marrow to
become immunue competent
cells and migrate to different
secondary lymphoid organs
 Cytokines and chemokines (along with selectins and integrins) mediate
EXTRAvasation of lymphocytes into tissues.

Tether Roll Arrest Migrate

blood flow

cytokines chemokines

L. Stoolman APCs and other cells

The Thymus
 Lymph Nodes
Main functions:

1. Filter lymph, thereby

promoting lymphocyte contact
with antigen

2. Provides necessary
microenvironment for antigen-
dependent differentiation
 The Lymph Node B cell rich area
contains germinal center B cells have not seen antigen
B cells have seen antigen
and are differentiating

Cleaning up debris

Ab
lymph fluid, antigens production
white blood cells enter here Blood enters
and exits
lymphatic
regulate B cell differentiation fluid with
and antibody production Ab and
cells exits

B cell maturation
antibody production

Lymph nodes drive the acquired immune response against

pathogens encountered in the skin, connective tissues, and
mucosa.
 The Spleen

Filters the blood

Destroys old red blood cells

Serves as an immune organ

Divided into Red Pulp (RBC/

hemoglobin recycling)
White Pulp (responsible for
immune functions)
 • Monitoring antigens in blood
Immune Functions
• Proliferation of lymphocytes Of the Spleen
• Production of humoral antibodies

Hematopoietic • Formation of blood cells in fetal life

Functions • Removal and destruction of RBCs & platelets
• Retrieval of iron from RBC hemoglobin
Of the Spleen • Storage of RBCs and platelets (more so in non-
human species)
Spleen: anatomy
Mature lymphocytes shuttle between different secondary
lymphoid organs as well in and out of the blood vessels