STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF IMMUNE

SYSTEM
Specific learning objectives

*Describe the lymphoreticular system responsible

for immune response
1 *List features of T and B cells

*Describe Major histocompatibility complex

2
 STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF IMMUNE SYSTEM
The cells that take part in immune reaction are organised into tissues and organs in order to
perform their functions. These structures together called the Lymphoreticular system

Non –specific_ Phagocytic cells (Micro and Macrophages)

specific Lymphocytes and plasma cells

 LYMPHOID
SYSTEM

LYMPHOID ORGANS LYMPHOID CELLS

CENTRAL (PRIMARY) LYMPHOID PERIPHERAL (SECONDARY) LYMPHOID

ORGANS ORGANS
Precursor lymphocytes develop, proliferate 1. Spleen
and acquire immunocapability. Later they 2. Lymph nodes
migrate to secondary lymphoid organs via
blood and lymph. 3. Mucosa-associated with lymphoid tissue
1. THYMUS - T cell differentiates and 4. Lymphoid tissue in the gut, lungs, liver and bone
proliferates marrow.
2. BONE MARROW –B cells develop, and
proliferate.
 CELLS OF
LYMPHORETICULAR
SYSTEM

Involved in immunological Structural cells

functions
1. Lymphocytes 1. Reticulum cells
2. Plasma cells 2. Endothelial cells
3. Phagocytic cells 3. Fibroblasts
4. Dendritic cells
1-LYMPHOCYTES : Small, round cells found in the peripheral blood, lymph, lymphoid organs
Types: T lymphocytes ( 70-75%), B lymphocytes (15-20%) and Null cells (10 %)
 Origin: They originate in Stem cells of Bone marrow or stem cells of fetal liver cells.
Maturation: B cell matures to form mature B lymphocytes in the bone marrow. T precursor
cells migrate from bone marrow to thymus via the bloodstream, proliferating and
differentiating to mature T lymphocytes under the influence of thymic hormones.
Mature B and T lymphocytes, before they encounter antigens, are called naïve cells or virgin
lymphocytes. These later migrate to various secondary lymphoid organs
• Some lymphocytes are of short lived(few wks) which are effector cells in
immune response. Some are long lived( upto yrs or even for life) which act as
storehouse for immunological memory.
• Lymphocyte recirculation : There is constant traffic of lymphocyte( mainly T
cells) through blood, lymph, lymphatic organs and tissues to keep Ag under
check.
• Recirculating lymphocytes can be recruited by the lymphoid tissues whenever
necessary.
• The T and B cells play vital role in recognition of Ag, storage of immunological
memory and immune response to specific Ag.
• Lymphocytes have Ag recognition mechanisms on their surface, when they
come in contact with Ag they become activated or sensitized.
1. T – Lymphocytes
T precursor cells migrate from the bone marrow/ foetal liver to Thymus via the bloodstream
where they proliferate and differentiate to mature T Lymphocytes under the influence of Thymic
hormones.
Mature T cells have T Cell Receptors (TCR) and characteristic surface proteins. Surface
proteins are referred as CD(Cluster of differentiation) followed by unique identifying numbers
like CD1,CD2,CD3,CD4……………..CD8. so on.
On functional maturity they differentiate into 2 major subsets. CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes
that play a major role in
Cell-Mediated Immunity(CMI).
 Overactivity of TH/CD4 cells
or decreased activity of Treg cells
Leads to Autoimmunity.
Decreased TH cell function or
Increased Treg cell activity leads
to Immunodeficiency
2. B –LYMPHOCYTES AND PLASMA CELLS.
The important feature of B cells is the ability to
Synthesize immunoglobulins leading to
Humoral (Antibody) mediated Immunity.
B lymphocyte precursors develop in the foetal
liver during embryonic life and in the bone marrow
afterward continuously throughout life in adults.
On contact with its appropriate Ag, B cell
undergoes proliferation to produce long-lived
Memory cells, responsible for the recall
Phenomenon during subsequent contact with the
same Ag (secondary response).
The majority of the activated B cells are
transformed into short-lived oval plasma cells,
which are antibody-secreting cells.
3. NULL CELLS
 A small proportion (5-10%) of lymphocytes which are neither T or B cells referred as Null
cells.
Also known as Large granular lymphocytes due to their morphology.
a) Natural killer cells(NK)
They target virus-infected cells and malignant cells (play imp. role in antitumor immunity)
Their activity is natural, does not require sensitization.
b) Ab dependent cytotoxic cells (ADCC)
These cells are Ab dependent, possess surface receptor for IgG Ab
Kill target cells that are sensitized with IgG Ab.
Kill target cells without help of complement.
c) Lymphokine activated killer cells (LAK)
These are NK cells stimulated with Interleukin-2 (IL-2).
Cytotoxic to tumour cells without affecting normal cells.
 II. PHAGOCYTIC CELLS.
These are specialized cells that remove foreign substances/pathogens by phagocytosis.
TYPES:
1. Mononuclear macrophages (blood and tissues)
2. Polynuclear microphages (leucocytes)
Macrophages:
 Originates in the bone marrow from precursor cells.
 The blood macrophages are monocytes, the largest peripheral blood lymphoid cells.
Some monocytes leave the circulation and reach various tissues to become tissue macrophages
(histocytes) with morphological and functional features characteristic of the tissues.
Ex. Alveolar macrophages (lungs)
Kupffer cells (liver)
osteoclasts and mesangial cells.
Functions of macrophages:
The primary function is phagocytosis. The phagocytosed
particles are digested inside the phagolysosome by
lysosomal enzymes.
They trap and process microbial Ags and present them
in optimal concentration to lymphocytes for induction
of specific immune response.(essential prerequisite
for induction of Abs.)
Activated macrophages secrete a number of biologically
active substances(monokines) like Interleukins,
binding proteins , tumour necrosis factors etc.
Play important role in antitumour activity and graft rejection.
2. Microphages:
Polymorphonuclear leucocytes of the blood.
I. Neutrophils : Play important role in inflammation. They are phagocytic.
II. Eosinophils: Found in large No. in allergic inflammation, parasitic infection and around
Ag-Ab complex. Less phagocytic.
III. Basophils: (Mast cells) – found in blood and tissue.
Their cytoplasm contain heparin, histamin, serotonin and other hydrolytic enzymes.
Degranulation of mast cells release the inflammatory mediators resulting in Anaphylaxis and
Atopic allergy.
III Dendritic cells
Second most important Ag presenting cells.
They also originates from bone-marrow from differ from T and B lymphocytes and
macrophages.
Found in peripheral blood and in the peripheral lymphoid organs.
 MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX (MHC)

MHC are multiallelic clusters of genes, that code histocompatibility antigens.

These histocompatibility antigens are cell surface antigens that induce an immune response
leading to rejection of allografts.
The MHC of man is known as the Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA) group, because of their
occurrence on the leucocyte surface.
 The HLA complex of genes is located on the short arm of chromosome 6.
 It consists of Three clusters of genes.

I. Class I HLA/MHC
II. Class II HLA/MHC
III. Class III HLA/MHC
1. Class I MHC/ HLA antigens. (A, B, and C loci)
 The class I MHC antigens are found on the surface of
all nucleated cells.
They are the principal Ags involved in graft rejection
And cell-mediated cytolysis.
The cytotoxic T cells (CD8) cells recognise the Ag
Only when it is presented as a complex with MHC
class I molecules. When so presented, the CD8 cytotoxic
Cell destroys the target virus-infected cell.
2. Class II MHC/ HLA antigens. (DP,DQ and DR)
The MHC class II Ags are more restricted in distribution and found only on the cells of immune
systems like macrophages, Dendritic cells, monocytes, activated T cells (CD4) and B-
lymphocytes.
Class II molecules are primarily responsible for graft v/s host response and mixed leucocyte
reaction (MLR).
The CD4 T helper cells can accept the Ag presented by macrophages only when the
macrophage bears the same class II MHC molecule on the surface.
3. Class III MHC/ HLA antigens.
Class III genes code for the number of complement components, tumor necrosis factor (TNF),
Heat shock protein (HSP)
The components of the complement system coded by class III genes are C2 and C4 components
of the classical pathway and properdin factor B of the alternative pathway.
MHC functions :
The MHC system was originally identified in the context of transplantation, which is an
artificial event. In the natural state, besides serving as cell surface markers that help infected
cells to signal cytotoxic (CD8) and helper T (CD4) cells to give protection against microbial
infection.
MHC Restriction:
T cells respond to Ag on the macrophage and other cells only when they are presented along with
the self-MHC antigen, this is known as MHC restriction.
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Assignment- HLA typing and its application.