HISTOLOGY

CHAPTER 14: THE IMMUNE SYSTEM & LYMPHOID ORGANS

OUTLINE  Antigen – a molecule that is recognized by cells of
Innate & Adaptive Immunity the adaptive immune system and typically elicits a
Cytokines
Antigens & Antibodies response
Classes of Antibodies  Epitopes – antigenic determinants
Actions of Antibodies  Antibody – glycoprotein of the immunoglobulin
Antigen Presentation
Cells of Adaptive Immunity
family that interacts specifically with an antigenic
Antigen-Presenting Cells determinant
Lymphocytes  Immunoglobulins have a common design,
Thymus consisting of two identical light chains and two
Roles of the Thymus in T-Cell Maturation & Selection
identical heavy chains bound by a disulfide bond
Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue
Lymph Nodes o Fc region – constant region
Role of Lymph Nodes in the Immune Response o Fab region – variable region
Spleen o Antigen-binding site – consists of the
Functions of the Splenic White & Red Pulp
variable portions of one heavy and one
light chain
 Immune system – provides defense or immunity
 Each antibody has two antigen-binding sites, both
against infectious agents ranging from viruses to
for the same antigen
multicellular parasites
Innate & Adaptive Immunity
 Innate immunity – involves immediate,
nonspecific actions, including physical barriers
that prevent infections or penetration of the host
body
o Neutrophils
o Toll-like receptors
o Natural killer (NK) cell
 Adaptive immunity – acquired gradually by
exposure to microorganisms; more specific, slower
to respond and evolutionarily more recent
development
o B & T lymphocytes
o Antigen presenting cells Figure 1. Basic structure of an immunoglobulin (antibody)
Cytokines
 Cytokines – diverse group of peptides and Classes of Antibodies
glycoproteins usually with low molecular masses  IgG – most abundant class representing 75-85% of
and a paracrine mode of action; coordinate all cell IG in blood; highly soluble, stable half-life > 3
activities in the innate and adaptive immune weeks) and crosses the placental barrier in the fetal
responses circulation; confers passive immunity against
Cytokine Main functions
certain infections in newborns
GM-CSF, M-CSF Growth and differentiation factors for
leukocyte progenitor cells in bone  IgA – present in almost all exocrine secretions as a
marrow dimeric form in which the heavy chains of two
TNF-α, TGF-β, IL-1 Stimulation of inflammation and fever monomers are united by a polypeptide called the J
IL-12 Stimulation of growth in T chain; produced by plasma cell in mucosae of the
lymphocytes and NK cells
IL-2, IL-4 Growth factors for T helper cells and
digestive, respiratory and reproductive tract;
B lymphocytes Secretory component – bound to IgA, released by
IL-5 Eosinophil proliferation, the epithelial cells as IgA undergoes transcytosis
differentiation, and activation  IgM – constitutes 5-10% of blood immunoglobulin
Interferon-γ, IL-4 Activation of macrophages and usually exits in a pentameric form united by a
IL-10 Inhibition of macrophages and
specific adaptive immune responses
J chain; mainly produced in an initial response to
Interferon-α, Antiviral activity an antigen; most effective antibody class in
interferon-β activating the complement system
IL-8 Chemokine for neutrophils and T  IgE – much less abundant in the circulation and
lymphocytes exists bound at its Fc region to receptors on the
surface of mast cells and basophils; triggers the
Antigens & Antibodies liberation of several biologically active substances
such as histamine, heparin and leukotrienes that
characterizes and allergic respons

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 IgD – least abundant immunoglobulin in plasma; surface of B lymphocytes where they act as
least understood class of antibody; bound to the antigen receptors triggering B-cell activation

IgG IgM IgA IgD IgE

Structure Monomer Pentamer Dimer with J chain Monomer Monomer
and secretory
component
Antibody 75%-85% 5%-10% 10%-15% 0.001% 0.002%
percentage in the
plasma
Presence in sites Fetal circulation in B lymphocyte Secretions (saliva, Surface of B Bound to the surface
other than blood, pregnant women surface (as a milk, tears, etc) lymphocytes of mast cells and
connective tissue, monomer) basophils
and lymphoid
organs
Known functions Activates First antibody Protects mucosae Antigen receptor Destroys parasitic
phagocytosis, produced in initial triggering initial worms and
neutralizes antigens immune response; B cell activation participates in
activates allergies
complement