Immune system

Structure & Function of Immune system

 Immunology
 Medical Laboratory Technology (– 2nd Year)
 University of Sindh.
 Written by:
Asif Ali Gaho
Structure & Function
of Immune system
Contents
Immune system
• Introduction to immune system • Thymus derived cells
• Organs of Immune system • CD4 T Cell
• Primary Lymphoid Organs • CD8 T cell
• Bone marrow • Activation of T cells
• Thymus • Bone marrow derived
• Secondary lymphoid organs cell
• Lymph nodes • B Cell
• Spleen • Antigen Presenting
• MALT cells
• Lymphocytes • Macrophages
 Immune system

Immunity:
Immunity, Latin word “immunis” Exempt.
 The ability of an organism to resist a particular infection or
toxin by the action of specific antibodies or sensitized white
blood cells.
 collective and coordinated response to foreign substances is called
the Immune response.
Introduction:
 The immune system is a complex network of organs, cells and
proteins that defends the body against infection, whilst
protecting the body's own cells. 
Lymphoid organs

 The immune system is organized into several special

tissues, which are collectively termed lymphoid or
immune tissues.
 The tissues that have evolved to a high degree of
specificity of function are termed lymphoid organs.
 The lymphoid organs, Based on their function, are
classified into
 Central (primary) lymphoid organs
 peripheral (secondary) lymphoid organs.
Organs of Immune System
Central Or Primary Lymphatic
Organs
 These are the organs in which precursor lymphocytes
proliferate, develop, and differentiate from lymphoid
stem cells to become immunologically competent cells.
 Major sites for lymphopoiesis.
 Organs in Primary Lymphoid tissues includes:
 Bone Marrow
 Thymus
 Thymus

The thymus is a flat, bilobed organ situated above the heart. Each
lobe is surrounded by a capsule and is divided into lobule.
 Thymus is the first lymphoid organ to develop.
Structure of Thymus
Thymus is composed of mainly two compartment:
 Cortex Consist of:
 Cortical thymocytes or immature T Lymphocytes
 Small number of Macrophages & Dendrite cells
 Medulla contains:
 Predominantly mature T lymphocytes
 Thymus

Functions of Thymus:
 It differentiate and proliferate T lymphocytes.
 Site of T Cells which act on Against antigen-MHCs.
 Induces Death of Un-recognizable antigen-MHC T
cells.
 Prevents from Autoimmune disease.
Bone Marrow

 Some lymphoid cells develop and mature within the

bone marrow and are referred to as B cells (B for bursa
of Fabricius, or bone marrow).
 Site of B Cell Maturation and Proliferation.
 B lymphocytes develop their B-cell receptors (BCRs),
consequencing in IgG, IgM.
Peripheral lymphoid organs

 These organs serve as the sites for interaction of

mature lymphocytes with antigens.
 Secondary organs maintain mature naïve lymphocytes,
and initiate an adaptive immune response
 Organs including are:
 Lymph nodes
 Spleen

 Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALT).

Lymph Node

 Main secondary organ of Immune system.

 Lymph nodes are the small bean-shaped structure that is part of
the body’s immune system.
 Composed of Cortex and Medulla
 Measure 1–25 mm in diameter
 Surrounded by a connective tissue capsule
 Main function is to filter the foreign substances and phagocytose
microbial pathogens
 Lymph nodes are the site of phagocytes, monocytes and dendrites
cell.
 Induces the cell to initiate the immune response.
Spleen

 The spleen is the largest lymphoid organ.

 It is a large, ovoid secondary lymphoid organ situated
high in the left abdominal cavity.
 The spleen parenchyma is heterogeneous and is
composed of the White pulp and the Red pulp.
 Blood-borne antigens and lymphocytes are carried into
the spleen through the splenic artery
 Surrounded by a capsule made up of connective tissue.
 Spleen

Functions of Spleen:
 Filtering or clearing of
 (a) infectious organisms;
 (b) aged or defectively formed elements (e.g
spherocytes, ovalocytes);
 (c) particulate matter from the peripheral blood.
 MALT

 Mucosa associated lymphoid tissue

 MALT Is non-capsulated and contain T and B Lymphocytes.
 MALT consist of the lymphoid tissues of the intestinal tract,
genitourinary tract, tracheobronchial tree, and mammary glands.
Functions:
 MALTs facilitate interaction among circulating leukocytes.
 Having high number of Antibody producing cells (plasma).
Lymphocytes

 The lymphocytes occupy a very special place among the

leukocytes.
 Lymphocytes participate in immune reactions, Specifically and
Non-specifically.
 Also contribute in Memory of immune system.
 The lymphocytes are classified depending upon where they
undergo their development and proliferation:
 T lymphocytes or T cells undergoing development in the thymus
or
 B lymphocytes, or B cells undergoing development in the bone
marrow.
 Thymus Derived Cells

T lymphocytes, or T cells, are so called because the thymus plays a

key role in their differentiation and proliferation. They are the key
players in adaptive immunity.
 T cells constitute 65–80% of the circulating pool of small
lymphocytes.
 They are found in the inner subcortical regions but not in the
germinal centers of the lymph nodes.
 They have a longer lifespan than B lymphocytes.
 They are stimulated to divide on exposure to certain mitogens,
T Lymphocytes

 Depending on whether they have CD4 or CD8 proteins

on their surface, T cells are subdivided into two major
groups:
 CD4 T Lymphocytes

 CD8 T Lymphocytes

 Mature T cells have either CD4 or CD8 proteins, but

never both.
 CD4+ or T Helper Cell

 Also known as T Helper Cell (Th).

 Constitute about 65% of peripheral T cells and found mainly in
thymic medulla, tonsils.
 CD4 is displayed on T cell and these recognize pMHC II
complexes.
Functions:
 CD4 help to B cell to differentiate into plasma cell.
 Help plasma cell for antigen-antibody specificity.
 Help to CD8 to become activated cytotoxic T cell.
 They release Cytokines.
 Help in phagocytosis.
CD8+ Cytotoxic T Cell
 CD8 also called ‘cytotoxic T cell’ & ‘Suppressor T cell’.
 Found in Human bone marrow and gut lymphoid organ.
 CD8 Glycoprotein is displayed on surface of T cell, hence
recognize only pMHC I complex.
Functions
 They kill
 virus-infected cells
 allograft cells
 tumor cells.
 Help in phagocytosis
 Activation of T cell

 Two signals are required to activate T cells:

1. Interaction of antigen and MHC Protein to TCR (first
signal).
2. B7 of APCs cell’ protein and CD28 of T Cell must
interact to each other for activation this called
costimulatory signal (second signal).
3. After activation T cell come across with there
responsibilities.
CD4 & CD8 T Cell
Bone Marrow Derived cell

 Bone marrow-derived cells

 The bone marrow-derived lymphocytes are known as B
lymphocytes or B cells. Plasma cells are derived from
mature B cells. Both B cells and plasma cells synthesize
and secrete immunoglobulin.
B Cell are the bone marrow derived cells.
 B Lymphocytes

 B lymphocytes are so designated because the bursa of Fabricius.

 The early stages of maturation of these lymphocytes occur in the
bone marrow. B cells Have short life than T Cells.
 Plasma cells are the further differentiated cells from B
lymphocytes.
Functions:
 B cells perform two important functions.
 First, they differentiate into plasma cells and produce
antibodies.
 Second, they can present antigen to helper T cells.
B Lymphocyte
 Antigen Presenting Cell

 An antigen-presenting cell (APC) or accessory cell is a

cell that displays antigen bound by major
histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins on its
surface; this process is known as antigen presentation.
T cells may recognize these complexes using their T cell
receptors (TCRs). APCs process antigens and present
them to T-cells.
Some common APCs
 Macrophages
 Dendrites cells
APCs
 Macrophages

 A type of white blood cell that surrounds and kills

microorganisms, removes dead cells, and stimulates the
action of other immune system cells.
Functions of Macrophage:
 Phagocytosis

 Antigen presenting
 Cytokines production
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Written by: Asif Ali.

Roll No: 2k21/MLT/09.
Department: Medical
Laboratory Technology
Institute : University of
Sindh
Reference

Textbookof Microbiology and

Immunology;
Subhash Chandra Parija, 2nd Edition.
Thanks