Anatomy and function of

lymphoid tissues

Lecture 2
Wesam Mohammed Emharib
 Anatomy and function of lymphoid tissues

Anatomy and functions of lymphoid tissues

Lymphoid tissue organized into two category primary lymphoid organ which represent site from
which immune cells originated and gain their maturity there for the primary lymphoid tissue is
also called generative lymphoid organs . Whereas secondary lymphoid organs are sites in
which the immune response against antigen take place.

Figure 1: Anatomy of lymphatic system

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 Anatomy and function of lymphoid tissues

Bone marrow
(where all the lymphocytes arise)
Primary lymphoid organs; Thymus
(where T cells mature structurally and functionally)

Secondary lymphoid organs; Include the lymph nodes, spleen, cutaneous immune system, and
mucosal immune system. In addition poorly defined collections of lymphocytes are locates in
connective tissue and in all organs except the central nervous system.

Bone Marrow
>> All circulating cells in blood arise from bone marrow. It is also site of B cell maturation.
>> During foetal development, the production of all blood cells done by process called
(haematopoiesis) which take place firstly in blood islands of yolk sac and the para-aortic
mesenchyme then in the liver and spleen. Finally the haematopoiesis is taken over gradually
by the bone marrow.
>> Stromal cells and macrophages in bone marrow produce Hematopoietic cytokines, which
enhance process of haematopoiesis
>> The cells which found in bone marrow are (stromal cells, macrophages, stem cell and their
progeny in addition to plasma cell (antibody producing cell arising in peripheral lymphoid organ
as result of antigenic stimuli and migrate to bone marrow where they live for many years). .

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 Anatomy and function of lymphoid tissues

Self- renewing stem cell

Pluripotent stem cell

Myeloid progenitor Lymphoid progenitor

B- lymphocyte T- lymphocyte Natural killer cell

Erythroid CFU Megakaryocyte Basophil CFU Eosinophil CFU Granulocyte monocyte CFU

Basophil Eosinophil Neutrophils and monocytes

Figure 2 : Haematopoiesis ( the development of the different lineage of blood cells)

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 Anatomy and function of lymphoid tissues

Thymus

>> T cell maturation occur in thymus, this lymphoid organs composed of two lobes. Each lobe
divided by fibrous septa into multiple lobules, and each lobule composed of cortex (from
outside) and medulla (from inside).
>> The cortex populated with a dense aggregation of T lymphocytes, medulla also populated
with lymphocytes but in staining appears lighter than cortex.
>> The embryogenesis of thymus; bronchial cleft which is invagination in ectoderm responsible
on development of thymus
>> Immature lymphocytes once they enter thymus start various sequential stages of maturation
>> Immature thymocyte (lymphocytes) enter the cortex through the blood vessels. Start
maturation and as thymocytes mature they move toward the medulla thus the medulla
contains mature lymphocytes. Mature lymphocytes leave the thymus toward circulation and
peripheral lymphoid tissues

Lymph nodes
>> the immune response against antigens delivered through lymph initiated in lymph node
>> lymph node is nodular structure contain collection of lymphocytes and located a long
lymphatic vessels.
>> Lymph nodes consist of capsule, cortex and medulla (from outside to inside)
>> Fibrous capsule is penetrated by many afferent lymphatic.
>> the aggregation of lymphocytes in cortex called follicles which may contain germinal centre
this part of follicles appear light in staining and represent area of lymphocytes activation
>> Follicles which contains germinal centre called secondary follicles whereas follicles without
germinal centre called primary follicles
>> Follicles represent area of B cells whereas T lymphocytes located under and between
follicles

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 Anatomy and function of lymphoid tissues

Spleen
>> Immune response against blood borne antigens initiated in spleen
>>In adult the spleen weighting nearly 150 g.
>> The anatomical site of spleen in left upper quadrant of the abdomen
>> The main splenic artery penetrate the capsule and enter through the hilum then branched
into small arterioles
>> T zone in spleen is the area surrounding small arterioles, where the T lymphocytes found as
aggregation.
>> T cell zone surrounded by follicles which may contain germinal centre, the follicles are B cell
zone.
>> The marginal zone surround follicles and contains lymphocytes and macrophages.
>> All these zones form dense lymphoid tissue called “white pulp” of the spleen. Whereas the
“red pulp” of spleen formed of vascular sinusoids, contains erythrocytes, macrophages and
plasma cells.
Mucosal immune system
There is collection of lymphocytes under epithelium of gastro and respiratory tract which
initiate immune response against antigens which enter the host through ingestion or inhalation.
e.x ( peyer’s patches )

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 Anatomy and function of lymphoid tissues

Cutaneous immune system

>> Skin is largest organ act as barrier between host environment and external environment, in
addition it is contains immune cells such as lymphocytes and antigen presenting cells
>>, inter-epidermal lymphocytes ,perivascular lymphocytes and macrophages .

Lymphatic system
plasma from blood seeps into tissue interstitial fluid go back blood
or become lymph

Subclavin vain Thoracic duct Lymphatic vessels

Lymphocytes recirculation and homing

>> Lymphocytes move between lymphoid tissue and migrate to site of inflammation through
blood or lymph this movement called lymphocyte recirculation
>> Homing of lymphocytes mean particular subset of lymphocytes enter particular tissue but
not others
>> Homing of lymphocytes mediated through adhesion molecules.
>> Naïve lymphocytes home to lymph nodes as result of interaction between L selectin
(adhesion molecule on T cell) with its ligand on endothelial venules,
>> Effector cells and memory cells migrate to site of infection under chemotactic effect of
cytokines and by means of ( E and P selectin) and ( β1 and β2 integrin). E and P selectin bind to
its ligand on endothelial cell providing initial weak adhesion to endothelium at peripheral site of
infection. Whereas the stable arrest at to effector and memory cells to endothelium at site of
infection mediated by integrin ( adhesion molecules on activated T cell ) with vascular cellular
adhesion molecules and inter cellular adhesion molecules (VCAM and ICAM) on endothelium
cells.