UNSW Cell Biology

Medicine: Society and Health: Lymph

Introduction

These notes introduce components of the Lymphoid system, often called the Immune System.

It is not intended to be a comprehensive coverage of Immunology, but an introduction to the Lymphoid system organization, histology and dynamics.

The main functional cells of this system are blood cells, and so an understanding of blood is also a key to understanding lymphoid function.

In addition to the bone marrow which generates all blood cells, there are also specialized regions, organs, vessels and tissues to explore.

2008 Lecture Slides - the Detailed Study page has the links to the Lecture slides if you are not after anything else.

Student Guide

Brief Study (1-15 minutes)

Start by looking at the online textbooks. These links will give you an introduction to the lymphoid system and some images.

Detailed Study (15-30 minutes)

Next- more detailed online resources introduce key features and functions of the lymphoid system. Includes a link to a complete set of lecture slides on lymphoid system histology.

In Depth (+30 minutes)

Then- look at key research articles on the lymphoid system. Includes links to review articles and animations.

Medicine (+60 minutes)

Finally- look at medically related information on the lymphoid system.

Virtual Slidebox

http://www.path.uiowa.edu/cgi-bin-pub/vs/fpx_browse.cgi?cat=o_hemato&div=nlm

Key References

For self-directed learning - (teachers to use APA referencing style)

1. Hill, M.A. (2005) UNSW Cell Biology - Society and Health Laboratory Blood and Lymphoid Tissue. Retrieved April 14, 2005, from http://cellbiology.med.unsw.edu.au/units/medicine/SHbloodlymph.htm

2. Dee, F.R., Leaven, T. and Consoer, D. (2005) Virtual Slidebox of Histology - Hematopoietic system. Retrieved April 14, 2005, from http://www.path.uiowa.edu/cgi-bin-pub/vs/fpx_browse.cgi?cat=o_hemato&div=nlm

3. Slomianka, L. (2004) UWA Blue Histology - Blood Retrieved April 14, 2005, from http://www.lab.anhb.uwa.edu.au/mb140/CorePages/Blood/blood.htm

4. Slomianka, L. (2004) UWA Blue Histology - Lymphoid Tissues I Retrieved April 14, 2005, from http://www.lab.anhb.uwa.edu.au/mb140/CorePages/Lymphoid1/lymph1.htm

5. Slomianka, L. (2004) UWA Blue Histology - Lymphoid Tissues II Retrieved April 14, 2005, from   http://www.lab.anhb.uwa.edu.au/mb140/CorePages/Lymphoid2/lymph2.htm

6. Janeway, C.A., Travers, P., Walport, M. & Shlomchik, M. (2001). Immunobiology. 5th ed. New York and London: Garland Publishing. Retrieved April 28, 2005, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?call=bv.View..ShowTOC&rid=imm.TOC&depth=2.

Links

Search NLM Online Textbooks- "lymphoid system"

Molecular Biology of the Cell (4th edition)

Molecular Cell Biology

The Cell- A molecular Approach

Immunobiology

References

Thymus

Functional histology of the neuroendocrine thymus. Moll UM. Microsc Res Tech. 1997 Aug 1;38(3):300-10. Review.

Functional histology of the human thymus. von Gaudecker B. Anat Embryol (Berl). 1991;183(1):1-15. Review.

Abstract - "The thymus develops from a paired epithelial anlage in the neck. This review considers how ectoderm (vesicula cervicalis) and endoderm (third pharyngeal pouch) contribute to the epithelial stroma of the thymus. Stromal elements of mesodermal origin are capillaries, septae and perivascular spaces and single invading cells. These elements separate the thymus into pseudolobuli. The thymus epithelial space and the perivascular spaces are always separated from each other by a closed, flat epithelial cell layer, with a basal lamina which contributes to the blood-thymus barrier. From the 9th gestational week, prethymic precursor cells from hemopoietic centers, begin to invade the thymus anlage. There they finally mature to committed post-thymic T cells. The thymus microenvironment of postnatal thymus is composed of six different types of epithelial cells and several stromal cells of mesodermal origin. The location of these diverse stationary cells is described, and their functional significance is discussed. Obviously these stromal cell types have a special function in providing the proper environment for T-cell maturation. The function of the thymus includes the maturation and/or selection of antigen specific T-cells. The main issue of intra-thymic T-cell differentiation is the development and expression of T-cell-antigen receptors. The great diversity of these receptors is generated by a rearrangement of the T-cell-receptor-genes in order to furnish the host with a mature T-cell repertoire that is capable of recognizing the world of extrinsic antigens. In a synopsis the manyfold interrelationships between the thymus microenvironment and the developing thymocytes are summarised.

Histology of the normal thymus. Suster S, Rosai J. Am J Surg Pathol. 1990 Mar;14(3):284-303. Review.

Peyer's Patch

Inducible lymphoid tissues in the adult gut: recapitulation of a fetal developmental pathway?Eberl G. Nat Rev Immunol. 2005 May;5(5):413-20.

NALT- versus Peyer's-patch-mediated mucosal immunity.Kiyono H, Fukuyama S. Nat Rev Immunol. 2004 Sep;4(9):699-710. Review.

Abstract- "Recent studies indicate that the mechanism of nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) organogenesis is different from that of other lymphoid tissues. NALT has an important role in the induction of mucosal immune responses, including the generation of T helper 1 and T helper 2 cells, and IgA-committed B cells. Moreover, intranasal immunization can lead to the induction of antigen-specific protective immunity in both the mucosal and systemic immune compartments. Therefore, a greater understanding of the differences between NALT and other organized lymphoid tissues, such as Peyer's patches, should facilitate the development of nasal vaccines."

Review: Peyer's patches.Heel KA, McCauley RD, Papadimitriou JM, Hall JC. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 1997 Feb;12(2):122-36. Review.

IgA

IgA class switch occurs in the organized nasopharynx- and gut-associated lymphoid tissue, but not in the diffuse lamina propria of airways and gut. Shikina T, Hiroi T, Iwatani K, Jang MH, Fukuyama S, Tamura M, Kubo T, Ishikawa H, Kiyono H. J Immunol. 2004 May 15;172(10):6259-64.

Regulation of IgA synthesis at mucosal surfaces. Fagarasan S, Honjo T. Curr Opin Immunol. 2004 Jun;16(3):277-83. Review

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