Haemopoeisis, Spleen and Bone Marrow Flashcards
Where does haemopoiesis take place?
The sole site of haemopoiesis is in the bone marrow.
Where does haemopoiesis take place in infants and children?
In bone marrow throughout the body.
Where does haemopoiesis take place in adults predominantly?
Limited distribution - In the pelvis, sternum, skill, ribs and vertebrae.
Blood cells derive from a single common precursor. What is this precursor called ?
The multipotential haematopoietic stem cell also called a haemocytoblast.
Explain the lineage of thrombocytes (platelets).
HSC differentiates into a common myeloid progenitor. This progenitor in its turn is turned into a megakaryocyte which then forms platelets.
Which growth factor is thrombopoiesis dependent on?
Thrombopoietin
Which are the granulocytes?
Basophils, neutrophils and eosinophils.
Explain the lineage of granulopoiesis.
HSC -> common myeloid progenitor -> Myeloblast.
Which growth factor is granulopoiesis dependent on?
G-CSF.
What are neutrophils mainly involved in?
Migration to areas of inflammation by chemotaxis to phagocytose invading microbes and destroy them by respiratory burst.
What are eosinophils mainly involved in?
- Responsible for immune response against multicellular parasites such as helminths
- Mediator of allergic responses
- Phagocytosis of antigen-antibody complexes
What is inappropriate activation of eosinophils responsible for?
What is it associated with?
- Responsible for tissue damage and inflammation
- Associated with Asthma and allergy.
What are basophils mainly involved in?
- Active in allergic reactions and inflammatory conditions
- Contain histamine, heparin, serotonin, which they release as part of the immune response
What do monocytes do?
- Monocytes circulate in the blood for 1-3 days before moving into tissues where they differentiate into macrophages or dendritic cells.
- Phagocytose microorganisms and breakdown/remove cellular debris
- Antigen presenting role to lymphocytes
- Important in defence against chronic bacterial infections (e.g. tuberculosis and chronic fungal infections)
Explain monocytopoiesis.
HSC -> CMP -> Myeloblast -> Monocyte
Where can B and T lymphocytes be found?
They can be found in blood but most commonly they are found in the lymphatic system.
Where does development of B lymphocytes occur?
- The development of B lymphocytes begins in the foetal bone marrow and liver.
- These then continue to mature in the bone marrow, where they remain until they are required during an immune response.
Where does development of T lymphocytes occur?
- These also arise from the bone marrow but migrate to the thymus, where they develop and mature.
How does maturation of B lymphocytes occur?
- Immunoglobulin genes rearrange in immature B cells to allow production of antibodies with a wide array of specificities
- Final maturation requires exposure to antigen in the lymph nodes in to to gain the capacity to recognise non-self antigens and produce large quantities of specific antibodies
How do T lymphocytes differ to B lymphocytes?
T lymphocytes recognise a wide range of antigens that are presented to them by antigen-presenting cells. Meaning T lymphocytes needs the antigens presented to them. B lymphocytes do not.
Explain the lymphocyte lineage.
HSC -> Common lymphoid progenitor -> small lymphocyte -> and then either to B lymphocytes or T lymphocytes. Growth factors include IL’s and TNFs.
Explain erythropoiesis.
HSC -> CMP -> Erythrocyte by growth factor erythropoietin.
Where does erythropoiesis take place?
In the bone marrow.
What is the life span of a red blood cell?
Around 120 days.
What is erythropoietin released by?
The kidneys.
What is erythropoietin production increased by?
As a response to a decreased oxygen level in the blood (hypoxia).
What is erythropoietin’s main function?
To inhibit apoptosis of progenitor cells of RBCs. Activation of erythropoietin cells on these progenitors allows them to develop, differentiate and proliferate. During this process RBCs extrude their nucleus and most of their organelles.
What is an immature red blood cell called?
Reticulocyte.