Cells of the Immune System Flashcards
Define HSCs and their niche.
hematopoietic stem cells are the precursors to all differentiated blood cells. they are housed in the bone marrow, surrounded by osteoblasts and sinusoidal endothelial cells, as well as stromal cells that provide support and growth factors for maintenance and differentiation.
Describe where HSCs can be found and what brings them there.
- typically in the niche, called with chemical signal gradients
- released in circulation during times of stress (after differentiation) under the control of circadian rhythms
Describe hematopoietic homeostasis.
During infection, there is an increased demand for immune cells. HSCs in the bone marrow are mobilized and released to meet the demand.
What are the 2 main progenitor lineages?
- myeloid
- lymphoid
Which cells are part of myeloid lineage?
- RBCs, platelets
- granulocytes (baso, neutro, eosinophils; mast cells)
- monocyte (macrophages, DCs)
Which cells are part of the lymphoid lineage?
- NK
- T
- B (plasma
Which cytokine factors are required to produce myeloid cells?
IL-3
GM-CSF
Track the general immune response (immune cell trafficking).
- typically, naive lymphocytes are traveling in the blood looking for their antigen match.
- antigens and lymphocytes enter the lymph nodes or other lymph tissues
- APCs present the antigen to the lymphocyte here => activation to effector cell
- effector T cell will go to the infected organ (via thoracic duct => subclavian vein) and take care of the infection => memory T cells
Compare innate and adaptive immunity.
Innate - rapid - nonspecific - no memory Adaptive - specific - memory - protective
Which cell family corresponds to innate immunity? adaptive immunity?
- innate = myeloid + NK cells
- adaptive = lymphoid
Generally describe myeloid WBCs.
- most abundant
- first line of defense
- APC or phagocytic
Describe the structure of a neutrophil.
- polymorphonuclear (PMN)
- granular (neutral)
Describe the general function of a neutrophil.
“foot soldier”
- phagocytosis
- extracellular destruction of pathogen
Describe granular phagocytosis.
- pathogen binds to surface receptor
- phagocytosis into a phagosome
- acidification
- granules fuse => phagolysosome
- enzymes destroy pathogen
Differentiate between primary and secondary neutrophilic granules.
Primary = direct enzyme secondary = free radical
Describe features of a neutrophil.
- comprises 70% of myeloid WBCs
- short lived
- extracellular pathogen killing
- only enter a cell when needed, otherwise circulatory
