Immunology Flashcards
Lymph node
A secondary lymphoid organ that has many afferents, 1 or more efferents. Encapsulated, with trabeculae. Functions are nonspecific filtration by macrophages, storage of B and T cells, and immune response activation.
Follicles of lymph nodes
Site of B-cell localization and proliferation. In outer cortex. Primary follicles are dense and dormant. Secondary follicles have pale central germinal centers and are active.
Medulla of lymph nodes
Consists of medullary cords (closely packed lymphocytes and plasma cells) and medullary sinuseses. Medullary sinuses communicate with efferent lymphatics and contain reticular cells and macrophages.
Paracortex of lymph nodes
Houses T cells. Region of cortex between follicles and medulla. Contains high endothelial venules through which T and B cells enter from blood. Not well developed in patients with DiGeorge syndrome. Paracortex enlarges in an extreme cellular immune response (eg viral infection).
Lymph drainage of head and neck
cervical lymph node
Lymph drainage of lungs
hilar lymph node
Lymph drainage of trachea and esophagus
mediastinal lymph nodes
Lymph drainage of upper limb, breast, skin above umbilicus
Axillary lymph nodes
Lymph drainage of liver, stomach, spleen, pancreas, and upper duodenum
celiac lymph nodes
Lymph drainage of lower duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon to splenic flexure
superior mesenteric lymph nodes
Lymph drainage of colon from splenic flexure to upper rectum
inferior mesenteric lymph nodes
Lymph drainage of lower rectum to anal canal (above pectinate line), bladder, vagina (middle third), prostate
internal iliac lymph nodes
Lymph drainage of testes, ovaries, kidneys, uterus
para-aortic lymph nodes
Lymph drainage of anal canal (below pectinate line), skin below umbilicus (except popliteal territory), scrotum
superficial inguinal lymph nodes
Lymph drainage of dorsolateral foot and posterior calf
popliteal lymph nodes
right lymphatic duct
drains right side of body above the diaphragm
thoracic duct
drains everything but the right side of body above the diaphragm
Sinusoids of spleen
Long, vascular channels in red pulp with fenestrated “barrel hoop” basement membrane. T cells are found in the periarteriolar lymphatic sheath (PALS) within the white pulp of the spleen. B cells are found in follicles within the white pulp of the spleen. The marginal zone, in between the red pulp and white pulp, contains APCs and specialized B cells, and is where APCs capture blood-borne antigens for recognition by lymphocytes. Red pulp is found peripherally, and the white pulp is found centrally. Macrophages found nearby in spleen remove encapsulated bacteria.
Splenic dysfunction (eg postsplenectomy, sickle cell disease)
a decrease in IgM leads to a decrease in complement activation causing a decrease in C3b opsonization and creating an increase susceptibility to encapsulated organisms. Common infections include (SHiNE SKiS): Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Neisseria meningitidis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Group B Streptococci.
Postsplenectomy histology
Howell-Jolly bodies (nuclear remnants), target cells, thrombocytosis (loss of sequestration and removal), and lymphocytosis (loss of sequestration).
Thymus
Site of T cell differentiation and maturation. Encapsulated. THymus is derived from the THird pharyngeal pouch. Lymphocytes of mesenchymal origin. Cortex is dense with immature T cells; medulla is pale with mature T cells and Hassall corpuscles containing epithelial reticular cells. T cells= Thymus. B cells=Bone marrow
Innate immunity
Made up of neutrophils, macrophages, monocytes, dendritic cells, natural killer cells (lymphoid origin), complement. It is germline encoded. Resistance to the innate immunity through generations; does not change within an organism’s lifetime. Response to pathogen is non-specific and occurs rapidly (minutes to hours). Physical barriers apart of the innate immunity includes epithelial tight junctions and mucus. Secreted proteins include lysozyme, complement, c-reactive protein (CRP), defensins. Key features in pathogen recognition includes toll-like receptors (TLRs), which are patteren recognition receptors that recognize pathogen-associate molecular patterns (PAMPs). Examples of PAMPs include LPS (gram-negative bacteria), flagellin (bacteria), ssRNA (viruses).
Adaptive immunity
Made up of T cells, B cells, and circulating antibodies. It has variation through V(D)J recombination with lymphocyte development. Microbial resistance is not inheritable. Response to pathogens is highly specific and is refined over time. It develops over long periods but memory response is faster and more robust. Immunoglobulins are secreted. Memory cells include activated B and T cells; subsequent exposure to a previously encountered antigen leads to a stronger and quicker immune response.
MHC I and II
MHC encoded by HLA genes. Present antigen fragments to T cells and bind T-cell receptors (TCRs).