Mucosal Immune System Flashcards
What is the only physical barrier against invasion of MO in mucosal surfaces?
Thin layer of mucosal epithelium
Innate defences of mucosal tissues?
Anti-micorbial peptides (defensins) Antimicrobial peptides- lysosomes Cilia Goblet cells- mucus Tight Epithelia junctions
What body surfaces are lined by mucus-secreting epithelium that is protected by the mucosal immune system?
- Gastrointestinal tract
- Respiratory tract
- Urogenital tract
Vast majority of infectious agents invade body thrpugh these routes
What diseases are associated with pathogen entering mucosal surfaces?
Diarrheal diseases Acute respiratory infections Tuberculosis HIV/AIDS Measles Whooping cough
Commensal micro-organsims/microbiota
Most found in colon of large intestine
Live in symbiosis with host
Do no harm
Beneficial to host
Inflammatory bowel disease (crohn’s), celiac disease
Happen when there is an immune response against commensal bacteria
Where are commensal micro-organisms found?
Colon Mouth Skin Oesophagus Stomach Vagina
Mucosal immune system
Largest part of body’s immune tissues
Produces most of immunoglobulins
Contains 3/4 of all lymphocytes
Anatomical features of mucosal immune system
Mucosal epithelia Lymphoid tissue Peyer's patches Lymphoid follicles Tonsils
Effector mechanisms of mucosal immune system
Activated/memory T cells
T regulatory cells
IgA
microbiota
Immunoregulatory environment of mucosal immune system
Inhibitory macrophages
Tolerance inducing dendritic cells
Where are lymphocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and other immune cells found?
Throughout mucosal tissues
Surface epithelium of mucosa
Lamina propia
What are the secondary lymphoid tissues in the gut?
Group of organs called GALT
with draining mesenteric lymph nodes
What happens at secondary lymphoid organs?
immune response is initiated
What does GALT include?
Peyer’s patches in submucosa of small intestine= large collection of lymphoid tissue
Isolated lymphoid follicles throughout intestine
Appendix
Palatine and lingual tonsils and adenoids
What are palatine, adenoid and lingual tonsils?
Large aggregates of lymphoid tissue
Covered by a layer of squamous epithelium
Form a ring= Waldeyer’s ring at back of mouth- entrance of gut and airways
Why do tonsils become enlarged in childhood?
Recurrent infections
In the past- had to be removed by surgery
What happens in people with tonsils and adenoids removed?
Reduced IgA response
Where are the peyer’s patches, isolated lymphoid follicles and lymphoid tissue of the appendix located?
Intestinal wall (GALT)
What happens in the peyer’s patches?
Initiation of immune response in gut
Structure of peyer’s patches
Dome like aggregates of lymphoid cells
Project into intestinal lumen
What are found in peyer’s patches?
Richer in B cells then lymph nodes and spleen
Large number of B cell follicles
With germinal centres
Small areas of T cells
Subepithelial dome= layer between epithelium and follicles- rich in dendritic, T, B cells
What is the surface epithelium of peyer’s patches?
Follicle associated epithelium
Single layer of columnar epithelial cells
What cells are found in the follicle associated epithelium of peyer’s patches?
M cells (microfold)