Lecture 17: Gut Immunology Flashcards
What is GALT?
Gut-associated lymphoid tissue
Part of MALT, which works in the immune system to protect the body from invasion in the gut. It consist of Peyer’s Patches and Isolated lymphoid Tissue (ILT)
What are ILFs
Mature crytopatches that develop in the SI & LI after birth. They are single B-cell follicles that act as inductive site for IgA production
How does GALT receive antigens?
Directly from epithelial surface and dendritic cells
Microbes crossing the epithelium enter Peyer’s Patches through what cells?
M cells - microbes are endocytosed by dendritic cells from here
What happens when dendritic cells bind to an Ag in Peyer’s patches
Dendritic cells interact with T-cells and T-cell-dependent B cells, promoting the maturation of B cells into IgA-prooducing plasma cells
What do B cells mature into and what do they release in the gut?
IgA producing plasma cells
What promotes the development of mature ILFs (isolated lymphoid follicles)?
- MAMPs recognized by PRRs (pattern-recognition receptors)
- Stimulate recruitment of B and T cells
- Cryptopatches develop into mature ILFs
What are Paneth Cells?
Cells found in the small intestine that have antimicrobial properties similar to neutrophils
What are defensins and what produces them?
Antimicrobial peptides that contribute to mucosal host defense of the GI system which plays an important role in innate immune system. They are produced by enterocytes, colonocytes but largely by Paneth cells
What are the major class of anti-microbial peptides (AMPs) in the GI that represent INNATE IMMUNITY
Defensins
List the intestinal epithelial cells.
- Goblet Cells: Produce dense mucin
- Enterocytes: main cells in SI
- Colonocytes: main cells in the LI
- Paneth Cells: Found in crypts of SI that sense microbiota to induce production of antimicrobial peptidens (defensins)
What is the role of secretory IgA (sIgA) and how does it do it?
Maintains a peaceful bacteria-host interaction:
- does not activate complement system
- does not activate phagocytosis
- resistant to proteolysis
How do defensins work?
Has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts that allows it to disrupt microbial membranes and form pores
INNATE IMMUNITY
Where do most of the commensal bacteria reside?
Outside the layer of mucus covering intestinal epithelial cells
What kills commensal and pathogenic bacteria that penetrate epithelial layer?
Macrophages in lamina propria
What happens if dendritic cells pick up antigens?
Enables DCs to activate B and T cells or they migrate to the draining mesenteric lymph nodes
Dendritic cells that engulf bacteria induce what
IgA-producing plasma cells
Can Ag bound dendritic cells eventually reach systemic circulation?
No, mesenteric lymph nodes function as a barrier. Loaded DCs cannot penetrate farther to reach the systemic circulation
What happens to B and T cells after activation?
Unlike DCs, they can leave mesenteric lymph nodes through efferent lymph, enter the blood stream at the thoracic duct and home back to the intestinal mucosa
What is the significance of short chain fatty acids
Important source of energy for colonocytes
- from colonic microbial fermentation of dietary fibers
- promote differentiation of Tregs
- stimulate production of mucus
- support effective IgA mediated response to pathogens
What does acetate stimulate?
Accumulation of IL-10 producing Tregs
What does butyrate stimulate?
Directly acts on Tregs or modulates DC function to enhance Treg-inducing ability
What is the function of capsular polysaccharide A (PSA)
Promote Treg function by enhancing expression of effector molecules including IL-10 and TGF-beta
What is immune tolerance?
Sustained immune unresponsiveness to self-antigens, beneficial antigens, and commensal bacteria.
Not attacking self or good bacteria