Slide 1

Lecture 7 Immunology
Structure

Learning Outcomes

Components

Leukocytes
Lymphoid tissue
Recognition of self

Innate Immunity

Physical and chemical barriers

Phagocytosis
Inflammation

1.

List the principal lymphoid

tissues and outline their roles

2.

List the differences between

innate and adaptive immunity

3.

Outline some key processes

of innate immunity

4.

Explain some key features of

adaptive immunity

5.

Explain the pathophysiology

of some immune disorders.

Adaptive immunity
Humoral responses (B cells)
Cell mediated responses (T
cells)

Immune Disorders
Autoimmune diseases
AIDS
Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Slide 2

Medical Science 7

Role of the Immune System (IS)

A network of cells and tissues that:
1. Defends the body against invading pathogens
2. Removes worn-out cells
3. Destroys abnormal/mutant cells within the
body (e.g. control of cancer)
Immune System can also have harmful effects:
1. Allergies / autoimmune diseases
2. Tissue rejection.
Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Medical Science 7

Slide 3

Infection-causing organisms (Pathogens)

FUNGUS
Epidermophyton
floccosum
(athletes foot)

BACTERIA
Staphylococcus
aureus
(causes sepsis)

VIRUS

PARASITE
Tapeworm

Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Polio

Medical Science 7

Slide 4

Components White Blood Cells

Lymphocyte

Monocyte/macrophage

B cells - secrete
antibodies
T cells - directly destroy
foreign cells
Natural Killer cells - fight

Phagocytosis
Secrete cytokines
(signalling molecules
other than antibodies).

viruses
Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Medical Science 7

Slide 5

Components

Lymphoid Tissues

CENTRAL LYMPHATIC TISSUES

Bone marrow - site of B cell development (and preT cell)

Thymus site of T cell development

PERIPHERAL LYMPHATIC TISSUES

Spleen

Lymph nodes

Gut-associated lymphatic tissue (GALT)

[Peyers Patches]

Adenoids

Appendix

Tonsils.

Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Medical Science 7

Slide 6

Components self-recognition
Major Histocompatibilty Complex

MHC on every (nucleated) cell

Also known as human

leukocyte associated antigens
(HLA)

Normally the bodys immune

system does not attack cells
that carry this self marker
i.e. MHC
No two individuals, except
identical twins, will ever
share identical MHC.

Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Transplant rejection

Medical Science 7

Organ transplants and skin grafts

may be rejected due to presence of
MHC
To minimise rejection, the MHC of
donor and recipient are matched as
closely as possible i.e. tissue typing
Siblings usually provide the closest
match
MHC do not play a role in transfusion
reactions because red blood cells do
not have MHC.

Slide 7

Organisation of the Immune System

IMMUNE SYSTEM
ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY
(specific; acquired)

INNATE IMMUNITY
(non-specific; natural)

Skin & mucous membranes

Phagocytosis
Inflammation
Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

HUMORAL-MEDIATED CELL-MEDIATED
(antibody mediated)
T cells
B cells

Medical Science 7

Slide 8

Innate vs Adaptive Immunity

Adaptive

Innate

(Lymphocytes)

(Phagocytosis, Inflammation)

Specific

Nonspecific

Responds to specific

Defends against any

pathogens on 2nd or

pathogen upon first

exposure

later exposure

Responds to infectious
agents, chemical irritants,
tissue injury, burns
Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Medical Science 7

Comes into play after

nonspecific responses
have begun.
8

Slide 9

Innate Immunity

Initial & immediate response against invasion by a

variety of pathogens

The response is rapid and non-specific

Main mechanisms
1. Interferon, NK cells and complement system
2. Phagocytosis (by neutrophils & macrophages)
3. Inflammation.

Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Medical Science 7

Slide 10

Innate 1. Interferon, Natural Killer Cells

Interferon
Released by virusattacked cells
Protects other cells
from any virus
Anti-cancer effects
Slows cell division
Enhances action of
NK cells and
cytotoxic T cells (qv)
Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Natural Killer cells

Attack virusinfected cells
Cause lysis
NB Both IF and NK
cells are non-specific
any virus.

Medical Science 7

10

Slide 11

Innate 1. Complement System

Many very complex actions
Innate response is recognition of microorganisms
Lysis of invading micro-organisms
Also reinforces other inflammatory
responses [hence name!].
Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Slide 12

Medical Science 7

11

Innate 2. Phagocytosis

SEM macrophage engulfing bacteria

Stages of Phagocytosis
1. Attachment
2. Internalisation (0.1 s)
3. Degradation
4. Exocytosis.
S&G. 23.3
Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Medical Science 7

12

Slide 13

Innate 3. Inflammatory Response

Atopic_Dermatitis www.gcarlson.com

1. Bacteria enter tissue/damage

2. Release of histamine
Increased blood flow
Increased vascular
permeability

3. Increased leucocytes at site

Results

Destroy or inactivate invaders

Remove dbris

Animation of allergic (atopic) response

Prepare for healing & repair.

Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Medical Science 7

13

Slide 14

Adaptive Immunity
1.

Specificity

1.

Lymphocytes (B and T cells) bind and respond to foreign

molecules known as antigens via antigen receptors

Diversity

The body possesses millions of lymphocytes that can recognise

and respond to millions of antigens (one each)

Memory

1st exposure to an antigen generates lymphocytes & long-lived

memory cells next exposure to the same antigen, memory cells
react more quickly & stronger response

Self-Tolerance

Lymphocytes can distinguish self (our normal antigens) from

non-self (antigens from foreign material).

Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Medical Science 7

14

Slide 15

Adaptive Immunity humoral (antibody-mediated)

1. B Cells Clonal Selection

Antigen fits B cells receptors
Proliferation and differentiation
into
S&G 23.7 (see Sherwood 12-11)

1. Plasma cells
Produce antibodies in blood
(immunoglobulins I gG, IgM, IgE, IgA, I gD)

Short-lived

2. Memory cells (clone)

With same receptor
Long-lived.
Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Medical Science 7

15

Slide 16

Adaptive Cell-mediated Immunity

T cells must become

activated before they
can attack pathogens
The antigen is
presented to the T
cell by an ANTIGEN
PRESENTING CELL
(e.g. an infected
macrophage) via its
MHC
Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Medical Science 7

16

Slide 17

Activated T cell enlarges & divides into:

CYTOTOXIC T CELLS

HELPER T CELLS (~70% of T cells)

kill infected cells by lysis (direct action)

secrete cytokines that enhance the activity of cytotoxic T cells;

enhance phagocytosis
stimulate development of B cells into plasma cells (indirect action)

SUPPRESSOR T CELLS

secrete cytokines that suppress the activity of B cells, helper

T cells and cytotoxic T cells; inhibit phagocytosis.

Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Medical Science 7

17

Adaptive Immunity can be

NATURAL or ARTIFICIAL

Slide 18

Adaptive Immunity
Natural

Artificial
ACTIVE

ACTIVE

PASSIVE
Antibodies are
Antibodies or
lymphocytes are passed to foetus
via placenta
produced as a
or colostrum
result of infection
Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

PASSIVE

Antibodies are
Antibodies that
produced as a have been produced
result of
by another animal
immunisation
or given artificially.
with a vaccine

Medical Science 7

18

Slide 19

Immune Disorders Autoimmune Diseases

If immune system does not recognise its self (e.g.
MHC), it reacts against normal cells and tissues
DISEASE

SYMPTOMS

Systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE)

fever, arthritis, mouth ulcers,

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

inflammation and damage to

the cartilage and bone of joints

Multiple sclerosis (MS) (p116)

T cells attack myelin:

Blurred vision,
Muscle weakness,
Ataxia

Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Slide 20

Medical Science 7

Immune Disorders - AIDS

AIDS is caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
HIV binds to the surface of helper T cells and its nucleic acids
(RNA and DNA) enter the T cell

Inside the cell, HIV uses the cell to make copies of itself

HIV slowly destroys helper T cells in the body

19

(Helper T cells = 70% of all T cells)

When T cell function is impaired, immune responses weaken and

other diseases develop.

Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Medical Science 7

20

10

Slide 21

Immune Disorders - AIDS

SYMPTOMS
HIV

Fatigue, fever, swollen glands, headache

AIDS

Swollen lymph nodes, decreased T cell count;

Susceptibility to pneumonia and Kaposi sarcoma;
AIDS dementia

TRANSMISSION
Through blood, semen, vaginal secretions and breast milk.

Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Medical Science 7

21

Slide 22

Learning Outcomes
1.

List the principal lymphoid tissues and outline their roles

2.

List the differences between innate and adaptive immunity

3.

Thymus (T cell dev.); Gut B cells)

Specificity, 1st exposure, cell-mediated, speed

Outline some key processes of innate immunity

phagocytosis, inflammation, immune memory, self recognition)

4.

Explain some key features of adaptive immunity

5.

Explain the pathophysiology of some immune disorders.

Dr Alan Tuffery Physiology

Medical Science 7

22

11