Immunology

Cells and Organs of Immune System

Lokesh Chandra Mishra

Department of Zoology
University of Delhi
Delhi-110007

Correspondence address:
Room No: 119
Department of Zoology
University of Delhi
Delhi-110007
 Cells and organs of the immune system

Introduction
Immune system is the system of specialized cells and organs that protects an organism from any
attack or invasion by any foreign body called antigen and responds accordingly. Immune
system is made up of a complex and vital network of cells and organs. All these organs are
called lymphoid organs because they are concerned with the growth, development, and
deployment of lymphocytes. Thus, immune system is also sometimes called the lymphoid
system and the tissues associated are called lymphoid organs. Depending upon the function,
these can be of two types: primary lymphoid organs and secondary lymphoid organs. The
Primary lymphoid organs include thymus and bone marrow, where maturation of lymphocytes
takes place, whereas secondary lymphoid organs include lymph nodes, spleen, and various
mucosal associated lymphoid tissues (MALT), which trap antigen and provide sites for
interaction between mature lymphocytes and antigen.
The blood vessels and lymphatic vessels are important parts of the lymphoid system as they
interconnect the organs of the immune system and carry the lymphocytes to and from the
different areas in the body causing systemic immunity. On the other hand mucosal associated
lymphoid tissues give mucosal immunity.
In this chapter, first part deals with the formation of blood cells, second and third part describes
about the cells and organs of the immune system respectively.
Hematopoiesis
Like every living organism has limited life span and die with time, the body cells do age and
die after a period of time. Blood cells also have a limited life span and to maintain homeostasis
and for the normal functioning of the body, blood cells need to be renewed continuously.
Hematopoiesis is a highly orchestrated process of blood cell development involving a complex
interplay between the intrinsic genetic processes of blood cells and their environment. This
interplay determines whether hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), progenitors, and mature blood
cells remain quiescent, proliferate, differentiate, self-renew, or undergo apoptosis. In simple
words, it is the process of formation of red cells and leukocytes from pluripotent stem cells
(HSCs). Hematopoiesis begins from the early embryonic development and continues
throughout life. But there is remarkable shift in the hematopoietic site during the embryonic
stage becoming stable by birth. In the first week of embryonic development, hematopoiesis
takes place in the yolk-sac stem cells where it differentiates into primitive erythroid cells
containing fetal hemoglobin. By the third month of gestation, the stem cells changes its location
from yolk-sac stem cells to fetal liver and then to spleen where it remains till the seventh month
of gestation. Towards the end of gestation, the site of hematopoiesis shifts to the bone marrow
and finally by birth hematopoiesis ceases within the liver and spleen (Table 1).
The bone marrow is the definitive hematopoietic tissue containing the pluripotent
hematopoietic stem cells that differentiates along all the blood cell lineages and also has the
capacity of self-renewal. Hematopoiesis takes place in the extravascular compartment. The
extravascular compartment consists of a stroma of reticular connective tissue and a parenchyma
of developing blood cells. The stromal cells constitute fat cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts,
and macrophages. The high activity of the bone marrow is demonstrated by its daily output of
mature blood cells: 2.5 billion erythrocytes, 2.5 billion platelets, 50-100 billion granulocytes.
The numbers of lymphocytes and monocytes is also very large. Bone marrow is the site for

2
other important activities in addition to hematopoiesis. These include the removal of aged and
defective erythrocytes and the differentiation of B lymphocytes. It is also the site of numerous
plasma cells.
Table 1- Sites of hematopoiesis

Age of Animal Hematopoiesis site

Embryo yolk sac then liver

3rd to 7th month Spleen

7th month marrow cavity - erythrocytes

Birth mostly bone marrow; spleen and

liver when needed
number of active sites in bone
Birth to maturity
marrow decreases but retain
ability for hematopoiesis
Bone marrow of skull, ribs,
Adult
sternum, vertebral column, pelvis,
proximal ends of femurs
The stem cells are very few in number occurring with the frequency of one stem cell per 104
bone marrow cells but owing to their inherent capacity of self renewal it maintains a steady
state level in the adult body. For the growth and maturation of hematopoietic cells of the adult
bone marrow, some non-hematopoietic cells provide a suitable meshwork of stromal cells that
support the growth and differentiation of these hematopoietic cells. The stromal cells are a
group of various cells that include fat cells, endothelial cells, fibroblast and macrophages. These
stromal cells act by providing a suitable hematopoietic-inducing microenvironment
consisting of cellular matrix and either membrane-bound or diffusible growth factors. The
differentiating stem cells acquire membrane deformability that allow them to pass through the
sinusoidal walls and finally to enter into circulation.
During hematopoiesis, pluripotent stem cells may multiply to produce more uripotent stem
cells, thus ensuring the steady and lasting supply of stem cells. Some of the pluripotent stem
cells differentiate into precursor cells that are at least partially committed to become one type of
mature blood cell (Fig. 1). This differentiation may take place along one of the two pathways-
lymphoid stem cell or a myeloid stem cell (Fig. 1). Both the stem cell differentiates further
into progenitor cell and thus becomes committed to a cell lineage and the capacity of the self
renewal in lost at this stage. The lymphoid stem cell generates T and B progenitor lymphocytes.
The myeloid stem cell generates progenitor for various cells that include red blood cells
(erythrocytes), the various leukocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, mast
cells) and the platelets. Congenial microenvironment for the progenitor cells is a must for its
proliferation and differentiation. The type and the amount of growth factors regulate the
differentiation of progenitor cells to give rise to the corresponding type of red or leukocytes.

3
 Fig 1.

Differentiation pathways of hematopoietic stem cell and their fate

Hematopoietic Growth Factors

Hematopoietic growth factors (HGF) are the group of substances that regulate the proliferation,
maturation and activation of the hematopoietic cells for hematopoiesis by interacting with
developing immature cells. Development of cell-culture systems that can support the growth
and differentiation of lymphoid and myeloid stem cells led to identification of numerous
hematopoietic growth factors. Originally, these growth factors were detected in serum or in
conditioned medium from in vitro cell cultures. These growth factors required for
hematopoiesis exhibit the biological activity at concentrations as low as 10-12. Due to the low
physiologic concentrations of these factors, biochemical purification of these was hindered
unless a major breakthrough in the form of cloning the gene encoding the hematopoietic growth
factors came into practice. In vitro cell culture technique and gene cloning enabled the
researcher’s to take a leap in the field of identifying the various hematopoietic growth factors
and their biological activity involved in hematopoiesis.

Probably the best characterized environmental regulators of hematopoiesis are

cytokines. Cytokines are a broad family of proteins that mediate positive and negative control
on cellular quiescence, apoptosis, proliferation, and differentiation. Cytokines may also
facilitate the interaction between stem cells and elements in the microenvironment.
Hematopoietic cytokines are produced by bone-marrow stromal cells, activated T helper (TH)
cells and activated macrophages. Activated macrophages produce some factors like Interleukin
1 (IL-1) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) which promotes inflammatory responces and fever and
promotes innate immunity and elimination of pathogens respectively. Activated macrophages
also produce interferon alpha which activates cellular genes, resulting in the production of

4
proteins that confer an antiviral state on the cell. Table 2 shows the functions of the some of the
various hematopoietic cytokines.

Table 2 List of HGF with their functions

HGF Function

Colony Stimulating Factor(CSF) Induces the formation of distinct hematopoietic cell

lineages

• Multilineage CSF (multi- CSF) or Acts in the early differentiation stage to induce

(IL-3) formation of all the non-lymphoid blood cells

(erythrocytes, monocytes, granulocytes and

megakaryocytes)

• Granulocyte macrophage CSF (GM- Acts at a slightly later stage of differentiation of all

CSF) the non-lymphoid blood cells

• Macrophage CSF (M-CSF) Acts at a still later stage to induce the formation of

monocytes

• Granulocyte CSF (G-CSF) Acts at the same stage as that of M-CSF but induces

the formation of neutrophils

Erythropoietin (EPO) Induces terminal erythrocyte development and

regulates red blood cell production.

Regulation of Hematopoiesis:
Hematopoiesis needs a regulating mechanism to maintain steady state of the variety of blood
cells, yet with enough capability of production of blood cells in an enormous amount of ten-fold
to twenty-fold in response to hemorrhage or any infection. Leukocytes rush to the site of
infection to generate an inflammatory response to limit the infection and this is accomplished
by the production of specific cell lineages to provide the necessary cells for such response. This
kind of response is generally regulated by activated TH cells and activated macrophages by the
production of number of cytokines that stimulate proliferation and differentiation of different
leukocytes involved in the immune response.
Regulation of hematopoiesis also occurs at the level of cytokine production by the bone-marrow
stromal cells. These cells are known to produce GM-CSF, M-CSF, G-CSF, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-7.
Multi-CSF (IL-3) is the earliest acting cytokine produced by only the activated TH cells and in

5
the bone-marrow cells, some unidentified cytokine is thought be responsible for maintaining
the constancy of the levels of the pluripotent stem cells.
Variable concentrations of cytokines or/and differential expression of the receptors for the
various cytokines in different lineages results in the production of different hematopoietic
lineages. But very little is known about the actual regulation by cytokines in different lineages
as the in vitro studies on the stromal-cell matrix which provide a unique microenvironment to
the developing hematopoietic cells are lacking and not understood completely. The binding of a
CSF to its receptor causes some of the receptors to be internalized by the cell, which serves to
down-modulate receptor expression by the cell. The cell becomes progressively less responsive
to the CSF with scanty receptors on its membrane resulting in decline in its proliferation. For
example, when GM-CSF binds to its receptors it induces the cell to down-modulate the
expression of G-CSF and M-CSF receptors as well. This down-modulation causes the lineages
bearing these receptors to become less responsive to these CSFs.
Regulation can be also brought about by degradation of a CSF following its binding to a
receptor. Binding of M-CSF to its receptors results in degradation of the cytokine. With the
increase in the monocytes number, there is a corresponding increase in M-CSF receptors
resulting into increased degradation of M-CSF which in turn slows down the further
proliferation and differentiation of this lineage as long as the number of monocytes remains
high.
Expression of different set of lineage-specific genes at appropriate times and in the correct
order is a must for the hematopoiesis to be carried out normally. The proteins specified by these
genes form the critical components of regulatory networks that direct the differentiation of the
pluripotent stem cells and its descendants. The studies pertaining to the genetic regulation of
hematopoiesis is in its infancy as much needs to be done to understand. But, much of what has
been known till date comes from the studies done by knocking out targeted genes that blocks
the production of protein that is required in some step in hematopoiesis. Many transcription
factors have been identified using this technique. Some of these transcription factors affect only
a single lineage (example- GATA-1, Ikaros, Oct-2) and others affect multiple lineages (GATA-
2, BM11). GATA-2 gene play a vital role in animals as it is involved in the formation of
transcription factor GATA-2 which is required for the development of the lymphoid, erythroid
and myeloid lineage.
Regulation of hematopoiesis is thus carried out in the following ways:
• At the level of cytokine production by bone-marrow stromal cells,
• At the level of cytokine production by other cell types having hematopoietic
activity such as activated T cells and macrophages,
• At the level of receptors for hematopoietically active cytokines in stem cells
progenitor cells,
• Removal of cells by apoptosis (discussed in details in the next section); and
• At the genetic level.
Apoptosis
The word ‘apoptosis’ is derived from Greek word (apo = from and ptosis = falling) meaning
‘falling leaves’ and was first used to describe new form of cell death distinct from necrosis in
the early 1970s. This term was coined by John F. Kerr, Andrew H. Wyliie and A. R. Currie in
1972 to differentiate naturally occurring developmental cell death, from the necrosis that results
from acute tissue injury (Fig. 2).

6
To maintain a steady-state level of various hematopoietic cells, along with its constant
production, constant removal of blood cells is essential which is accomplished by a process
called programmed cell death. In programmed cell death, cell undergoes distinctive
morphologic changes, together known as apoptosis where the cell and its DNA both fragment.
A cell undergoing apoptosis shows a pronounced decrease in cell volume and a characteristic
morphology that can be seen under a microscope:
1. The cell becomes round as the protein structures conform the cytoskeleton are digested
by specialized peptidases, called caspases, that have been activated inside the cell
besides caspases also play major role in T-cell proliferation and cell differentiation.
Initiator caspases ( eg. CASP1, CASP2 ) cleave inactive pro-forms of effector caspases (
eg. CASP3, CASP6 ) which in turn cleave other protein substrates with in the cell
resulting in the apoptosis.
2. Chromatin undergoes gradual condensation into compact patches against the nuclear
envelope. By this time, the specialized caspases have already advanced in the
degradation of nuclear pore proteins and have begun to degrade the lamin that underlies
the nuclear envelope. It must be noted that the initial stages of chromatin condensation
is also observed in non-apoptotic forms of cell death but this advanced stage, called
pyknosis is considered a hallmark of apoptosis.
3. The nuclear envelope becomes discontinuous and the DNA inside it gets fragmented (a
process referred to as karyorrhexis) forming several discrete chromatin bodies or
nucleosomal units.
4. Pronounced plasma blebbing occurs.
5. The cell breaks apart into several vesicles called apoptotic bodies, which are then
phagocytosed by macrophages to ensure that their intracellular contents of proteolytic
and other lytic enzymes, cationic proteins, and oxidizing molecules are not released into
the surrounding tissue to avoid any toxin release and subsequently the inflammatory
response.

7
Fig. 2. Comparison of changes during necrosis and apoptosis

Apoptosis markedly differs from necrosis, the process of cell death induced by injury to body
cells where the cell death results in the release of intracellular contents in the surrounding tissue
which are cytotoxic and as a result an inflammatory response develops whereas The main
function of apoptosis is to dispose of a cell without causing damage or stress to neighbouring
cells. Apoptosis is a desirable activity for cells in a multicellular organism as it removes the old
and dying out cells, virally infected cells and most importantly auto-aggressive T-cells to
prevent auto-immune conditions.
This programmed cell death of the blood cells produced in the body coupled with its constant
production by hematopoiesis maintains a steady-state level of these cells. If at any stage,
programmed cell death fails to occur, a leukemic state may develop. Programmed cell death
occurs not only in the committed cells but also can occur at the levels of hematopoietic
progenitor cells to maintain its level too. For example, when colony stimulating factors are
removed, progenitor cells undergo programmed cell death. Too much apopyosis can cause
disease like, neurodegradation, autoimmune disease and ischaemia-asssociated injury. On the
other hand, too little apoptosis can also cause diseases such as cancer. Since the beginning of
the 1990s, research on apoptosis has grown spectacularly. In addition to its importance as a

8
biological phenomenon, defective apoptotic processes have been implicated in an extensive
variety of diseases. Not all form of programmed cell death share the characteristic shapes and
sequences of apoptosis, but all types of programmed cell death are highly-regulated processes.
Several genes were identified as being involved in apoptosis by mutational analysis and
observations of its development. The expression of these genes regulates the process of
apoptosis in leukocytes and other cells. Some gene products induce apoptosis and other gene
products inhibit apoptosis. The bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) gene, for example is a large family
of proteins that inhibits apoptosis. Bcl-2 levels have been found to play an important role in
regulating the normal life span of various hematopoietic cell lineages, including lymphocytes.
Genes like bcl-2 and bcl-xL inhibit the apoptosis while bax and bcl-xS genes promote the
apoptosis. The fas gene is responsible for the initiation of the apoptosis. During acute infection,
the lymphocyte count increases 4- 15 fold (of the normal 1010 lymphocytes). As the immune
system can not sustain such an enormous increase in cell numbers for an extended period, the
need for the removal of activated lymphocytes arises as soon as the antigenic threats subside.
These activated lymphocytes have been found to express lower levels of bcl-2 and thus more
susceptible to induction of apoptosis. Details of some of the genes associated with apoptosis are
listed in table 3. Apoptosis is a process of deliberate life relinquishment by an unwanted cell in
a multicellular organism. It is the safe mode of disposal of cell corpses and fragments.
CELLS OF IMMUNE SYSTEM
Agranulocytes
The lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes (monocytes and macrophages) are referred to as
non-granular leukocytes/agranulocytes as their cytoplasm does not contain lysosomal granules
in the cytoplasm. Both monocytes and macrophages are active participants in immune and
inflammatory response as they have the capacity of phagocytosis. They also ingest dead or
defective cells- in particular the blood cells. Lymphocytes are the central cells of the immune
system. They are round cells with little cytoplasm, large round nuclei, and chromatin arranged
in coarse masses. Lymphocyte possessing the four cardinal features of diversity, specificity,
memory and self-nonself recognition makes it central to the immune system. Lymphocytes
represent 20-40% of the body’s leukocytes and 99% of the cells in the lymph. They are found
circulating between blood and lymphoid tissues and can localize in lymphoid organs. The
lymphocytes can be broadly divided on the basis of function and cell-membrane components
into three populations: B cells, T cells and null cells. All these cells are small, motile, non-
phagocytic cells, which cannot be distinguished morphologically. Interaction of lymphocytes
with antigens in the presence of cytokines (discussed later in chapter) induces these cells to
enter the cell cycle. As they progress through the cell cycle, lymphocytes enlarge into 15µm
diameter blast cells, called lymphoblast. Lymphoblasts proliferate and eventually differentiate
into effector cells and memory cells.

9
Table 3 Genes regulating apoptosis and their functions

Gene Function in apoptosis

Bcl-2 Inhibits

bax Promotes (opposes bcl-2)

Bcl-XL Inhibits

Bcl-XS Promotes (opposes bcl-XL)

caspase Promotes

fas Initiates

B lymphocytes
B lymphocytes are so called as they were first studied and identified in the bursa of Fabricius in
birds and it turned out to be apt for mammals too as its site of maturation is the bone marrow.
As the B-cell matures they expresses membrane bound immunoglobulin or antibody receptors,
which serves as receptors for antigen (Fig. 3).
Approximately, a single B cell bears on its surface 1.5 X 105 molecules of antibody bearing
identical binding site for antigen. Antibodies are glycoproteins consisting of two identical heavy
polypeptide chains and two identical light polypeptide chains. The chains are held together by
disulfide bonds. The amino terminal ends of each pair of heavy and light chains form a cleft
within which antigen binds. When a naïve B cell, which has not encountered antigen, first
encounters the antigen specific for the antibody, the cell begins to divide rapidly into memory
B cells and effector B cells called plasma cells. Memory B cells, as the name indicates,
remains in the circulation for a long time and thus has a longer life-span. It continues to express
the same membrane-bound antibody as the original parent naive B cell. Effector cells bring
about the effect by secreting large number of antibody but they do not express the membrane-
bound antibody. Though the plasma cells have a very short life span of few days but they can
secrete more than 2000 molecules of antibody per second. These secreted antibodies are the
major effector molecule of the humoral immunity. The secreted antibodies may be one of the
five classes of antibody (IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD and IgE). All clonal progeny from a given B cell
secrete antibody molecules with the same antigenic specificity.

10
 Fig. 3. Structure of a B-lymphocyte

Apart from the antibodies, other molecules are also expressed on the membrane of mature B
cells (Fig. 4). These molecules include:
• B220 (CD45)-the earliest marker of the B cell lineage that appears during maturation on
the precursor B cell
• Class II MHC molecules permit the B-cells to function as an antigen presenting cell
• CR1 (CD 35) and CR2 (CD21) are the complement receptors and enable B cells to bind
to antigen-antibody-complement complexes
• FcγRII (CD 32) receptor specifically binds to the Fc portion of IgG
• CD19 and CD20 have a role in B-cell activation
• B7 is a co-stimulatory molecule that interacts with CD28 on TH cells
T lymphocytes
T lymphocytes derive their name from their site of maturation in the thymus, the organ where
pre-T cells, from the bone marrow, migrate to and mature in. During its maturation, it also
expresses a unique antigen binding molecule on its membrane called the T cell receptor. T
cells play a crucial role in the full expression of immunity by regulating antibody production,
cellular immune reactions and killing of altered cells.

11
 Fig. 4. Structure of a mature B cells with all its surface receptors

Unlike a B-cell, a T-cell can recognize antigens only when it is processed into antigenic
peptides and is bound to cell membrane proteins called major histocompatibility complex
(MHC). This focusing of T-cell antigen recognition through MHC molecules is known as MHC
restriction. The antigenic peptide must be displayed together with MHC molecules on the
surface of antigen presenting cells, APCs (B cells, macrophages and dendritic cells) or on virus-
infected cells, graft cells or cancer cells. Thus, the T-cells are developed to eliminate such
altered self-cells that pose threat to the normal functioning of the body. T cells have two well-
defined subpopulations: T helper cells (TH) cells and T cytotoxic (TC) cells (Fig. 5.). Like B
cells, T cells subpopulations also expresses the T cell receptor specific for each population. TH
cells and TC cell expresses CD4+ and CD8+ glycoproteins on their surfaces respectively. Thus
the ratio of TH to TC cells in a sample can be approximated by assaying the number of CD4+
and CD8+ T cells. This ratio is approximately 2:1 in normal human peripheral blood.
TH cells get activated when it encounters an antigen complexed with MHC class II molecules
presented on an APC. Following its activation, T cell secretes various growth factors known as
cytokines which play a central role in activation of B cells, TC cells and a variety of other cells
that participate in immune response. Difference in the pattern of cytokine production elicits
different activation of immune response. For example, TH1 response is designated when T
cytotoxic cells and macrophages are activated and TH2 response designates the activation of B
cells. TH cell maintain memory and are the principal proliferative cells responding to foreign
antigen associated with self class II MHC molecules.

12
 Fig. 5. Structure of a T lymphocytes- a) TH Cell; and b) TC Cell

TC cells get activated when they interact with an antigen complexed with MHC class I
molecules presented on an altered self-cells in the presence of appropriate cytokines. Activation
results in the proliferation and differentiation of the TC cells into an effector cells called a
cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). CTLs recognize and eliminate altered self cells but secrete
few cytokines. TC cells are generally responsible for killing virus-infected cells, transplanted
tissue and cancer cells.
The division of T cells into two sub-populations is not absolute as there is some functional
ambiguity but these ambiguities are exceptions and not the rule. For example, CD4+ cells
sometimes function as cytotoxic and CD8+ as helpers. Nonetheless, TH cells are generally
considered as being class II restricted and CD4+; TC cells as being class I restricted and CD8+
restricted. In addition to these glycoproteins, all mature T cells express the following membrane
molecules:
• Thy-1, the earliest marker of the T cell lineage expressed during maturation in the
thymus
• CD3-a membrane complex associated with the T-cell receptor
• CD28-a receptor for the co-stimulatory B7 molecule present on antigen presenting
cells
• CD45-a signal-transduction molecule
Natural killer cells
Natural killer (NK) cells are a small group of lymphocytes present in the peripheral blood that
do not express any membrane receptors that distinguish the B- and T-cell lineages. As these
cells lack antigen-binding receptors, they lack immunologic specificity and memory. Most
members of the Natural killer cells are large, granular lymphocyte (Fig. 6) cells, constituting
5%-10% of the lymphocytes in human peripheral blood. One of the primary effector functions
of the NK cells is the production of large amounts of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) to fight of viral
infections.
NK cells are probably best known for their natural ability to kill tumour cells. This is due to
interaction between ligands on the tumor cell and a variety of receptors on the NK cell, leading
to the release of the NK cell’s cytotoxic granules.

13
NK cell have been shown to express both activating and inhibiting receptors. The extracellular
structure of both types of receptors are similar but inside it is very different . When the
activating receptors and their associated signal transducing molecules are cross linked by
interaction with their ligand, a signal is send in to the cell that activates a series of kinases,
eventually leading to activation of the cell’s cytotoxic effector function and IFN-
γ (production).
The inhibitory receptors have opposite effect. When activating and inhibitory receptors are
crosslinked by their ligands on the surface of a potential target cell, the inhibitory signal
delivered to the cell override the activating signal, and the target is spared. If only the activating
receptor is bound, or if more activating receptors than inhibitory receptor are bound, the target
is killed.

Fig. 6. A natural killer cell interacting with the target cell

The first evidence of natural killer cells came in 1976 when cytotoxic activity was displayed by
certain null cells against a wide range of tumor cells even in the absence of prior exposure with
the tumor. They are found to play an important role in host defense against tumors. They
function as effector cells that directly kill certain tumors such as melanomas, lymphomas and
viral-infected cells. NK cells are reported to be acting in two different ways. In some cases, they
make a direct membrane contact with the tumor cell in a non-specific antibody independent
way. But in some, there are reports on the involvement of surface receptors (CD16) which help
in recognition of the FC region of the IgG molecule and thus acting in an antibody dependent
cell-mediated toxicity (ADCC). In this pathway, the NK cells bind with the antibodies bound
to the surface of tumor cells and subsequently destroy the tumor cells.
Mononuclear phagocytes
The mononuclear phagocytic system consists of monocytes circulating in the blood and
macrophages in the tissue. Monocytes constitute 5-8% of WBCs in the blood. They remain in
circulation for 8 h, during which time they enlarge and then migrate into the tissue and
differentiate into specific tissue macrophage. Tissue macrophages are so called as they are
seeded in a variety of guises throughout the body tissues, where they stay for 2-3 months.
During the transition of monocytes to macrophages several changes takes place:

14
 • Cell enlarges 5-10 fold
• Intracellular organelle increases in number and complexity
• Cells acquire increased phagocytic ability
• Increased secretion of several soluble factors
Some macrophages remain fixed to the tissues while others remain free and move throughout
the tissues by amoeboid movements. Fixed macrophages are named according to their tissue
location (Table 4).
Macrophages possess the following characteristics:
• They are mononuclear cells
• Show peroxidase and esterase activity
• Bears specific receptors for antibody and complement
• Show phagocytic abilities
• Remain in a resting state but can be activated by a variety of stimuli
• Possesses varied and prolific secretory activity
Activated macrophages are highly efficient in eliminating pathogens as they exhibit increased
phagocytic ability and increased secretion of various cytotoxic proteins, higher expression of
class II MHC molecules, thus making them efficient APCs and increased secretion of
inflammatory substances (Fig. 7). Phagocytosis of foreign antigen acts as stimulus for
activation of macrophages and can be further stimulated by interferon gamma (IFN-γ), the most
potent activators of macrophages secreted by activated TH cells. The activated macrophages are
more effective in removing foreign pathogen than resting macrophages, as activated one
express high level of Class II MHC molecules for presentation.

Fig.

7.

Structure of a macrophage

15
 Table 4. List of tissue macrophage

Tissue location Macrophage name

Bone marrow Histiocytes
Central Nervous System Microglial cells
Connective tissue Histiocytes
Liver Kupffer cells
Lung Alveolar macrophages
Kidney Mesangial cells
Peritoneum Peritoneal macrophage
Spleen, thymus, lymph Macrophages
node (free and fixed)
Macrophages have the capability to
digest both exogenous (whole microorganism and insoluble particles) and endogenous antigens
(injured or dead host cell) by attracting the antigens through chemotaxis and facilitating their
adherence to macrophage cell membrane by developing pseudopodia. Pseudopodia extends
around the antigen and takes it inside the cell in a membrane bound structure called a
phagosome that fuses with the lysosome to further degrade the antigens to non-toxic form
which is then finally eliminated by exocytosis. Phagocytosis is enhanced by the presence of
antibody and complement receptors on its cell membrane as the there are some antibodies and
complement component that act as opsonin (binding to both antigen and macrophage) thereby
rendering antigen more susceptible to phagocytosis.
A number of cytotoxic substances produced by activated macrophages can destroy
phagocytosed microorganisms. There are two types of mechanisms; oxygen dependent and
oxygen independent killing mechanisms. In oxygen dependent mechanism activated
macrophages produce a number of reactive oxygen intermediates that have potent antimicrobial
activity. eg. Superoxide anion (O2. -) , hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) etc. In oxygen independent
mechanisms activated macrophages synthesizes lysosome and various hydrolytic enzymes
whose activities do not require oxygen.
Granulocytes
Granulocyte cells are those that contain membrane bound granules in their cytoplasm. These
granules contain enzymes capable of killing microorganisms and destroying debris ingested by
the process of phagocytosis. There are three types of granulocytic cells: neutrophils, eosinophils
and basophils. These cells are characterized by the presence of irregular segmented nuclei,
specific granules and fully differentiated cells.
Neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes or polymorphs)
They are the most common of the leukocytes and represents about 55-70% of all the circulating
leukocytes. They have a diameter of about 12 mm, segmented nucleus and cytoplasm packed
with small specific granules that stains salmon pink colour after staining with Romanovsky type
staining (Fig. 8). Neutrophils remain in circulation in the peripheral blood for about 7-10 h,
after their production in the bone marrow.

16
 Fig. 8. Structure of a neutrophil

Then they migrate to their tissues where they have the life span of few days. They are involved
as a first line of defence against invading microorganisms and are important in inflammation
and at sites of injury or wounds. During infection, their production increases, a process called
leukocytosis, to arrive at a site of inflammation which is medically used as an indicator of
infection. Pus that develops in sites of infection is mainly composed of dead neutrophils. Like
macrophages, neutrophils are active phagocytic cells. The difference lies in the lytic enzymes
and bactericidal substances that are contained in primary and secondary granules in neutrophils.
Primary granules are large and contain peroxidase, lysozyme, and various hydrolytic enzymes
whereas secondary granules contain collagenase, lactoferrin, and lysozyme.
Eosinophils
Eosinophils form a small proportion of peripheral blood leucocytes (1-5%) but are more
prevalent in tissues. They have a bilobed nucleus and a granulated cytoplasm that stains with
acid dye eosin red, hence the name (Fig.10). They become more plentiful in circulation and in
relevant tissues in allergic and parasitic diseases and their functions can be divided into effects
on parasites and the inflammatory process.

Fig. 9. Structure of an eosinophil

17
Like neutrophils, they are also motile and can move to the site of action. They phagocytose
poorly but degranulate promptly in the presence of chemotactic factors and when membrane-
bound IgG or IgE is cross-linked by antigen. Eosinophils have FC receptors for both IgG and
IgE isotypes. A prominent role of neutrophils is the intracellular digestion of microbes (e.g.
bacteria) which are readily phagocytosed. They are more effective in the extracellular digestion
of infectious agents that are too large to be engulfed (e.g. parasitic worms).
Basophils
These represent only about 1% of the leukocytes. Their nucleus is bilobed or S-shaped (Fig.
10). They have very large, irregular basophilic granules that stain with the basic dye methylene
blue.

Fig. 10. Structure of a basophil

The granules contain histamine and heparin and release these contents in response to antigens
and thus play a major role in allergic response. Basophils are circulating cells and possess
surface FC receptors with a high affinity for IgE.
Mast cells
Unlike basophil cells, mast cells are sessile cells present throughout the body but chiefly in
perivascular connective tissue, lymph nodes and mucosal epithelial tissue of the respiratory,
genitourinary and digestive tracts.

Fig. 11. Structure of a mast cell

18
They are released from the bone marrow into the blood during hematopoiesis as precursor cells
which get differentiated only after reaching the tissue. Like basophil cells, these cells also
possess large number of cytoplasmic granules containing histamine and other
pharmacologically active substances and surface FC receptors with a high affinity for IgE. Mast
cells, together with basophil cells thus play a major role in the allergic responses (Fig. 11).
Dendritic cells
Dendritic cells are large, motile, weakly phagocytic antigen presenting cells possessing several
elongated pseudopodia or processes that resembles dendrite of the nerve cells thus the name
dendritic cells (Fig. 12). They comprise about 1% of the cells in the secondary lymphoid
organs. These cells are found in different locations and are classified accordingly (Table 5).
These different dendritic cells have different morphology and functions but constitutively
express high levels of both class II MHC molecules and the co-stimulatory B7 molecules and
hence are considered more potent APC than macrophages and B cells which require prior
activation to function as APC.

Fig. 12. Structure of dendritic cell

Follicular dendritic cells however, differ in function from APC dendritic cells as they do not
express class II MHC molecules. But these cells express high levels of membrane receptors for
antibody and complement system. Binding of antigen-antibody complexes is thought to activate
the B-cell activation in the lymph nodes.
Table 5 Classification of Dendritic cells

Name of dendritic cell Location

Langerhan cells Epidermis and mucous membrane

Interstitial dendritic cells Present in most organs like, heart, lungs,

liver, kidney, gastrointestinal tract

Interdigitating dendritic cells T-cell areas of secondary lymphoid tissue

and the thymic medulla

Circulating dendritic cells Blood (constitutes 0.1% of the blood

leukocytes) and in the lymph (known as
veiled cells)

Follicular dendritic cells Follicles of the lymph node

19
The dendritic cells keep constant communication with other cells in the body. This
communication can take the form of direct cell-to-cell contact based on the interaction of cell-
surface proteins. An example of this includes the interaction of the receptor CD40 of the
dendritic cell with CD40L present on the lymphocytes. However, the cell-cell interaction can
also take place at a distance via cytokines. They also upregulate CCR7, a chemotactic receptor
that induces the dendritic cell to travel through the blood stream to the spleen or through the
lymphatic system to a lymph node.
ORGANS OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
The organs of the immune system can be divided on the basis of their function into primary
lymphoid organs and secondary lymphoid organs (Fig. 13). The functions of these lymphoid
organs are:
• To provide an environment for the maturation of the immune system’s immature cells
• To concentrate lymphocytes into organs
• To permit the interaction of different classes of lymphocytes
• To provide an efficient mode for the transportation of antibodies and other soluble
factors
The primary lymphoid organs include the thymus and bone marrow where maturation of
lymphocytes takes place and thus these organs provide special microenvironment where
antigen-independent differentiation of lymphocytes takes place. In these organs the
lymphocytes develop antigenic specificity during maturation. The mature lymphocytes are then
exported through the blood and the lymphatic system to the secondary lymphoid organs that
include lymph nodes, spleen and MALT. These secondary lymphoid organs trap antigen and as
a result undergo antigen-dependent differentiation.
Primary lymphoid organs
The lymphocytes only after maturation in the primary
lymphoid organs become committed to a particular
antigen and the cell becomes immunocompetent. In
mammals, T cells mature in the thymus and B cells in the
bone marrow.

Fig. 13 The location of primary and secondary lymphoid organs

20
Thymus
It is a flat, bilobed organ situated above the heart and below the thyroid gland. At birth, it
weighs around 15-20 g which grows more rapidly during the first two years and then more
slowly reaching the maximum weight during puberty (40 g). Each lobe is surrounded by a
capsule and is divided into lobules, which are separated from each other by strands of
connective tissue called trabeculae. Each lobule is organized into two compartments: the cortex
(outer compartment) the medulla (inner compartment). Cortex makes up 85 to 90% of the
thymus (Fig. 14).

Fig. 14 Diagrammatic cross-section of a portion of the thymus.

The progenitor T cells formed during hematopoiesis in bone marrow enter into the thymus
where they multiply rapidly in the cortex. Cortical thymocytes are phenotypically and
functionally immature but progressively differentiate into T cells within the thymic cortex.
Thymocytes then migrate to the medulla where selection and maturation are completed and
finally enter into circulation. The small thymocytes in the cortex are in contact with the nurse
cells that comprises dendritic cells, macrophages and large epithelial cells. All these cells
express high levels of class I and class II MHC molecules. Only 2% of thymocytes leave the
thymus each day, the remaining cells die. This high attrition rate of T cells is still unresolved.
For the differentiation and maturation of thymocytes into various types of mature T cells,
several hormonal factors are required. The epithelial cells of the thymus serve as the source of
these hormones namely, α1-thymosin, β4-thymosin, thymopoietin and thymulin. In the couse of
thymocyte maturation within the thymus, the antigenic diversity of the T-cell receptor is
generated by a series of random gene arrangements. After developing antigen binding receptors,
the T cells are subjected to selection pressure whereby the thymocytes that cannot recognize
foreign antigenic peptides displayed by self MHC molecules are removed and those thymocytes
that recognize self-peptides displayed by self MHC molecules are also eliminated by
programmed cell death.
The absence of thymus exhibits dramatic decrease in the circulating lymphocytes of the T cell
lineage and hence the absence of cell-mediated immunity, a congenital birth defect in humans

21
called DiGeorge’s syndrome. The decline in immunity with ageing could be correlated with
the degeneration of both cortex and medullary cells. Until recently, the thymus was only
thought to be the sole generator of T cells. Recent findings show that the intestinal epithelium
is also a primary lymphoid organ that represents a site for thymu-independent T cell
development. In fact, in adults it is the major site for T lymphopoiesis and contains the largest
collection of T cells in the body.
Bone marrow
Bone marrow is the source for all immune cells except during early fetal development. Bone
marrow is the soft tissue in the hollow shafts of the flat bones (iliac bones, ribs, sternum, and
vertebrae) and weighs about 3 kg in an averaged-size adult. The cellular composition of normal
bone marrow is 5-15% lymphocytes, 1% plasma cells, and 4% monocytes and megakaryocytes.
Immature B cells proliferate and differentiate within the bone marrow by interacting with the
various cytokines secreted by the stromal cells. During this maturation process, those B cells
that develop self reactive antibody receptors or fail to develop functional antibody molecules
are eliminated by the selection process. About 90% of differentiating B cells are believed to
have this fate. B cells that survive this selection process leave the bone marrow through efferent
blood vessels.
In birds, the bursa of Fabricius, a gut associated lymphoid tissue, is the primary site of B cell
maturation. Though majority of mammals have bone marrow as the primary site of B cell
maturation, yet some mammals have other organs as the B cell maturation site. For example, in
cattle and in sheep, a large specialized Peyer’s patch called the ileal Peyer’s patch and in
rabbit, gut associated tissue, such as appendix act as B cell maturation site. The selection
process similar to that of the thymic selection during T cell maturation, eliminates B cells with
self reactive antibody receptors.
Secondary lymphoid organs
Immune cells travel throughout the body by the circulatory and lymphatic systems. Lymphatic
system serves to recover materials lost from the blood capillary network and antigens that enter
the tissue spaces and return them to the blood. Sites where lymphocytes encounter antigen and
interact with other cells of the immune system are called the secondary lymphoid organs. Such
organs enlarge in response to antigenic stimulation. Various types of lymphoid tissues are
located along the vessels of the lymphatic system. Some lymphoid tissue consists of the diffuse
collection of lymphocytes and macrophages and others consist of more organized tissue called
the lymphoid follicles. Latter, also known as primary follicle (|in the absence of antigen
encounter), comprises a network of follicular dendritic cells and small B cells. Primary follicles
become large secondary follicles of concentrically arranged B cells when encounter an antigen.
Of all the secondary lymphoid tissue, lymph nodes and spleen are the most highly organized
organs. Less organized lymphoid tissue, collectively called mucosal associated lymphoid
tissue (MALT) occur in various body parts. The principal function of lymph nodes, spleen and
MALT are to respond to antigens introduced into the tissues they drain, to respond to antigens
in the blood and to protect against pathogens at major entry points respectively.
Lymph nodes
Lymph nodes are encapsulated bean-shaped structures, normally <1 cm in diameter, packed
with lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells (Fig. 15). Lymph nodes are present at the
junctions of lymphatic vessels and serve as the first organized structures to encounter most
antigens. The major function of the lymph nodes is to filter antigen from the lymph. The lymph,
along with many cells and particles, drain out of tissues and seep across the tiny single-cell-
walled lymphatic vessels. The vessels transport lymph to the nodes where antigens are filtered

22
out. As the lymph is filtered, it is enriched with antibodies, cytokines and mainly T
lymphocytes.
Morphologically, a lymph node can be divided into three regions: the cortex, paracortex and
medulla, each of it providing a different microenvironment. Cortex is the outermost layer-
contains mostly B lymphocytes, plus both follicular dendritic cells and macrophages all
arranged in clusters called primary follicles. Following antigenic stimulation they primary
follicles become secondary follicles consisting of concentric rings of densely packed
lymphocytes and germinal central, macrophages, and dendritic cells. The germinal centers
contain large proliferating B lymphocytes and plasma cells interspersed with macrophages and
dendritic cells. It is a site of intense B-Cell activation and differentiation into plasma cells and
memory cells. Paracortex is the region just beneath the cortex which is largely populated with T
lymphocytes and also contains interdigitating dendritic cells. These interdigitating dendritic
cells express high levels of class II MHC molecules. Paracortex is a thymus dependent area as
compared to the thymus independent cortex region. Experiments on the neonatally
thymectomized mice showed a severe depletion of the T lymphocytes in the paracortex region
showing its dependence on the thymus. Medulla is the inner most region, more sparsely
populated by cells. Many of the cells are plasma cells; activated TH and TC cells are also
present.
In addition, there is a high concentration of immunoglobulin in this region due to the large
population of plasma cells.

Fig. 15 Structure of a lymph node

23
Lymph enters the lymph node via afferent lymphatic vessel that pierce the capsule at numerous
sites and empty lymph into the subcapsular sinus. This fluid flows through the cortex,
paracortex and medulla allowing phagocytic cells and dendritic cells to trap antigen or any
particulate matter (antigen-antibody complex), if any. It is then processed and presented
together with class II MHC molecules resulting in TH cell activation. B cell activation also takes
place in T cell rich paracortex. Lymph leaves the capsule through a single exit, the efferent
lymphatic vessel, which following infection is enriched with antibodies and also has 50 fold
increase of the lymphocyte concentration than in the afferent lymph. This enormous increase in
lymphocyte concentration could be attributed partly to the activation and proliferation of
lymphocytes in response to antigen and largely to the T lymphocytes that travel from the blood
into the node by passing between specialized endothelial cells lining the post capillary venules
termed the High Endothelial Venules (HEVs) of the paracortex. Antigenic stimulation further
increases this lymphocyte migration ten times resulting in visible swelling of the nodes.
Spleen
The spleen is a large, ovoid filtering organ situated high in the left abdominal cavity. Unlike
lymph nodes which are specialized to trap localized antigens from regional tissue spaces, the
spleen filters blood and trap blood borne antigen and thus responds to systemic infections. The
spleen is surrounded by a capsule that sends projections known as trabeculae into the
compartments. The compartment is of two types-red pulp and white pulp separated by diffused
marginal zone. The red pulp consists of erythrocyte rich blood intermingled with many
dendritic cells, macrophages, a few lymphocytes and plasma cells. It is the site where old and
defective red blood cells are removed. The white pulp surrounds the splenic arteries forming a
periarteriolar lymphoid sheath (PALS) populated chiefly by T lymphocytes. The marginal
zone, located peripheral to PALS, is rich in B cells and macrophages which is organized into
primary lymphoid follicles.
Blood borne lymphocytes and antigens enter the spleen through splenic artery which emties into
the marginal zone. Sooner the antigen enters the marginal zone, the interdigitating dendritic
cells traps them and presents it with class II MHC molecules to carry it to TH cells. This further
leads to the activation of B cells. The activated B cells, together with some TH cells migrate to
the primary follicle and develop into secondary follicles containing germinal centers like those
in the lymph nodes.The spleen is the predominant organ in lymphocyte recirculation, moving
more lymphocytes than all the lymph nodes combined.
Mucosal-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT)
The non-encapsulated clusters organized lymphoid tissue with immune function is the mucosal
associated lymphoid tissue. Approximately 400 m2 surface area of the body are prone to attack
by pathogens. These areas are the mucous membranes lining the digestive, respiratory and
urinogenital tract. The defense of all these areas is provided by MALT. These tissue ranges
from loose cluster or little organization of lymphoid cells in the lamina propria of intestinal villi
to more organized structures such as the tonsils, appendix and Peyer’s patches. The lamina
propria contains large numbers of B cells, plasma cells, activated cells, and macrophages to
impart better immunity than any other part of body. The epithelial cells of mucous membranes
play an important role in promoting the immune response by delivering the antigen from the
lumina of the respiratory, digestive and urinogenital tracts to the underlying MALT. This
antigen transport is carried out by some specialized cells called M cells (Fig. 16). The M cells
are flattened epithelial cells lacking the characteristic microvilli of the mucous epithelium and
has a deep pocket or invagination in the basolateral plasma membrane filled with a cluster of B
cells, T cells and macrophages. The transport of antigens by M cells activates the B cells. The
activated B cells differentiated into plasma cells which secrete the IgA class of antibodies.

24
These antibodies then are transported across the epithelial cells and released as secretory IgA
into the lumen where they can interact with antigen present in the lumen.

Fig. 16 Cross-sectional diagram of the mucous membrane lining the intestine showing the M
cell region.

Summary
Immune system possesses diverse cells and organs to confer immunity to the body. The whole
system is an intricate network of these cells and organs whose coordinated action is responsible
for the various functions and the constancy in the internal environment of the body. The
lymphocytes possess the immunologic attributes of specificity, diversity, immunologic memory
and self/non-self recognition. Hematopoiesis generates the various blood cells required by the
body and the location of the hematopoiesis varies initially but finally becomes constant with
age and bone marrow becomes the key location for the process. Various factors, cytokines in
particular are known to regulate the process of hematopoiesis. As the production of these cells
is vital for the body, its destruction is equally important and body maintains the constancy in
these cell numbers through the programmed cell death. Among all the cells of the immune
system, B cell and T cells are the two major populations of lymphocytes. B cells mature in the
bone marrow but T cells though originate from the bone marrow but mature in thymus. The
primary lymphoid organs thus provide site where lymphocytes mature and become
antigenically committed. The secondary lymphoid organs provide the site where lymphocytes
interact with the antigen and undergo clonal proliferation and finally differentiation into the
effector cells. Proper and balanced working of these cells and organs prevents us from succumb

25
to diseases to great extent and the understanding of functioning of these cells and organs are
vital before understanding the other aspects of immunology.
Referrences :
1. Aderem, A. and Underhill, D.M. 1999. Mechanism of phagocytosis in macrophages. Annual
Review of Immunology, 17: 593-623.
2. Elgert, K.D. 1996. Immunology, understanding the immune system. John Wiley and Sons,
Inc., Pub.
3. Galli, S.J.; Kalensnikoff, J.; Grimbaldeston, M.A.; PIliponsky, A.M.; Williams, C.M.M. and
Tsai, M. 2005. Mast cells as “tunable” effector and immunoregulatory cells: recent
advances. Annual Review of Immunology, 23: 749-786.
4. Goldsby, R.A.; Kindt, T.J. and Osborne, B.A. 2000. Kuby Immunology, 4th edition, W. H.
Freeman and Co.
5. Guyton, A.C. 1986. Textbook of Medical Physiology, 7th edition, W.B. Saunders Co.
6. Janeway, C. Jr. and Travers, P. 2001. Immunobiology- the immune system in health and
diseases, 5th edition. Garland publishing Inc.
7. Roitt, I. Brostoff, J. and Male, D. 2001. Immunology, 6th edition. London

26