LYMPHATIC SYSTEM & IMMUNITY

Introduction :
• Immune system • Lymphatic system
– Protects the body – Works with immune
against system to remove
• Bacteria disease-causing
• Viruses agents
• Fungi – Organs
• Toxins • Thymus
• Parasites • Spleen
• Cancer • Lymph nodes
The Lymphatic System
• Network of connecting
vessels
– Collects fluid (lymph)
between cells and
returns it to
bloodstream
– Picks up lipids from
digestive organs and
transports them to
bloodstream
– Functions to defend
the body against
pathogens
Lymphatic Pathways
• Lymphatic capillaries
– Extend into interstitial spaces
– Permeable, thin walls pick up fluid, now lymph
– Delivers lymph to lymphatic vessels

• Lymphatic vessels
– Deliver lymph to lymph nodes
• Cells in nodes can remove pathogens from lymph
and start an immune response
– Leaves nodes through efferent lymphatic
vessels
Lymphatic Pathways (cont.)
• Lymphatic trunks
– Receive lymph from efferent lymphatic vessels
– Deliver it to
• Lymphatic collecting ducts
– Thoracic duct
• Left side of head and neck, left arm, left side of
thorax, entire abdominopelvic area, and both legs
– Right lymphatic duct
• Right side of head and neck, right arm, and right side
of chest
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Tissue Fluid and Lymph

• Interstitial fluid
– Fluid in spaces between cells that has leaked
from blood capillaries and has not been
picked up by body cells
– High in nutrients, oxygen, and small proteins
– Becomes lymph
• Pushed through lymphatic vessels by squeezing
action of neighboring skeletal muscles and
breathing movement
Lymph Nodes
• Small, glandular
structures

• Located along paths of

larger lymphatic vessels
– Afferent lymphatic vessels
– Lymph to node
– Efferent lymphatic vessels
– Lymph from node
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Lymph Nodes (cont.)

• More lymph enters
than can leave at one
time

• Cells in nodes
– Macrophages – digest
unwanted pathogens
– Lymphocytes – start an
immune response
against pathogen

• Nodes can generate

some lymphocytes
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The Thymus and Spleen

• Thymus
– Soft, bi-lobed organ
– Located just above the heart in the mediastinum
– Large in children, shrinks as we age
– Functions
• Same as lymph nodes
• Also produces lymphocytes
• Produces thymosin – stimulates production of
lymphocytes
The Thymus and Spleen (cont.)
• Spleen
– Largest lymphatic organ
– Located in the upper left quadrant of abdominal
cavity
– Functions
• Filters blood similarly to lymph nodes
• Removes worn-out red cells
– If removed (splenectomy), liver takes over
most of its function
Defenses Against Disease
• Infection • Nonspecific defenses
– The presence of a – Species resistance
pathogen in or on the
body – Mechanical barriers
• Pathogen – Chemical barriers
– A disease-causing – Phagocytosis
agent
– Fever
• Innate immunity
– Inflammation
– Nonspecific defenses
to protect against
pathogens
Specific Defenses Against Disease
• Immunities • Other substances
– Protect against very
specific pathogens
– Antigens
• Foreign substances in
the body
– Haptens
• Foreign substances too
small to start an
immune response by
themselves
– Proteins – antibodies
and complements
– WBCs – lymphocytes
and macrophages
– Lymph system
• Cytokines – assist in
immune response
regulation
• Monokines – increase
B cell production and
stimulate WBC
production
Defenses Against Disease (cont.)
Two major types of lymphocytes
B Cells and T Cells

Recognize antigens in the body

B cells
❖ Respond to antigens by
becoming plasma cells
❖ Plasma cells make antibodies
❖ Memory B cells produce
stronger response with next
exposure to antigen
T Cells
❖ Cell-mediated response
❖ Bind to antigens on cells
and attack them directly
❖ Secrete lymphokines that
increase T cell production and
directly kill cells with antigens
 28-16

Defenses Against Disease (cont.)

• T cell activation
– Begins when macrophage ingests and digests
pathogen with antigen on it
– Antigens are placed on cell membrane of
macrophage
– T cell recognizes and binds to antigen and the
major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on
the surface of the macrophage
– Now can divide to form other types of T cells
Defenses Against Disease (cont.)
• Types
– Cytotoxic T cells
• Protect body against viruses and cancer cells
– Helper T cells
• Increase antibody formation, memory cell formation,
B cell formation, and phagocytosis
– Memory T cells
• Remember the pathogen that activated original
T cell
• Later exposures trigger an immune response more
effective than initial response
Defenses Against Disease (cont.)
• Natural killer (NK)
cells
– Type of lymphocyte
– Primarily target cancer
cells
– Kill on contact
– Do not recognize a
specific antigen
Antibodies
• Also called immunoglobulins
– IgA
• Prevents pathogens from entering body
– IgD
• Found on B cell membranes
• Thought to control B cell activity
– IgE
• Found with IgA
• Involved in triggering allergic reactions
Antibodies
– IgG
• Recognizes bacteria, viruses, and toxins
• Activates complements

– IgM
• Large and binds to antigens on food,
bacteria, or incompatible blood cells
• Activates compliments
Antibodies (cont.)
• Actions that occur when antibodies bind to
antigens
– Allow phagocytes to recognize and destroy antigens
– Cause antigens to clump together, causing them to be
destroyed by macrophages
– Cover the toxic portions of antigens, making them
harmless
– Activate complement
• Group of proteins in serum that attack pathogens by forming
holes in them
• Attract macrophages to pathogens and can stimulate
inflammation
Immune Responses and Acquired Immunity
• Primary immune response occurs with first
exposure to antigen
– Slow process
– Memory cells are formed

• Secondary immune response with next exposure

to same antigen
– Quick and carried out by memory cells
– Usually prevents person from developing disease
from the antigen
Immune Responses and Acquired Immunity
(cont.)
• Naturally acquired active immunity
– Natural exposure to antigen – having an
illness
– Makes antibodies and memory cells
– Long-lasting

• Artificially acquired active immunity

– Injected with pathogen – immunizations or
vaccines
– Makes antibodies and memory cells
– Long-lasting
Immune Responses and Acquired Immunity
(cont.)
• Naturally acquired passive immunity
– Acquired from mother
• Breast milk
• Placenta
– Short-lived

• Artificially acquired passive immunity

– Injected with antibodies (such as antivenom)
– Short-lived
Major Immune System Disorders
• Cancer
– Uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells form
malignant tumors
– Factors known to cause cancer are called
carcinogens
– Treatment based on stage
0 – very early; cancer cells localized
I – spread to deeper layers or some in surrounding tissues
II – spread to surrounding tissues but contained in primary site
III – spread beyond primary site into nearby areas
IV – spread to other organs
Recurrent – reappeared after treatment
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Major Immune System Disorders (cont.)

• Allergies
– Immune response to an allergen
– IgE antibodies bind to allergens and stimulate
mast cells to release histamine and heparin,
triggering allergic response
– Allergy shots
• Small amounts of allergen stimulates production of
IgG to prevent IgE from binding to antigen
• IgG antibodies do not stimulate mast cells, so
immune response is not generated
Major Immune System Disorders (cont.)
– Allergy signs/symptoms
• Inhaled allergens – runny nose, sneezing, coughing,
wheezing
• Ingested allergens – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Skin allergens – rashes
• Allergens in blood – most life-threatening; can affect many
organs
– Treatment
• Antihistamines, decongestants – OTC or prescription
• Epinephrine for anaphylaxis – vasoconstriction,
increasing BP
– Anaphylaxis – life-threatening response
Common Immune System Disorders
• Autoimmune disease
– Body attacks its own antigens
– Examples
• Scleroderma
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Glomerulonephritis
• Crohn’s disease
• Diabetes mellitus, type I
Common Immune System Disorders
(cont.)
Disorder Description
AIDS Development of severe signs and symptoms caused
by HIV as it destroys lymphocytes; leaves immune
system weakened and susceptible to other diseases
Chronic fatigue Condition of severe tiredness not relieved by rest
syndrome (CFS) and not related to other illnesses

Lymphedema Blockage of lymphatic vessels results in tissue

swelling that increases over time
Common Immune System Disorders
(cont.)
Disorder Description
Mononucleosis “Mono”; highly contagious viral infection spread
through saliva of infected person

Systemic lupus Autoimmune disorder; produces antibodies that

erythematous target own cells and tissues; affects women more
(SLE) often than men
End of the Lecture....