The Lymphatic System
and Immune Response
Objectives
1. What are the functions and major structures of the lymphatic system?
2. What is lymph and what is it composed of?
3. Compare lymphatic vessels to vascular vessels.
4. Differentiate between lymphoid tissues and lymphoid organs.
5. Differentiate between diffuse lymphatic tissue and lymphatic nodules (and provide
examples of each).
6. Differentiate between primary and secondary lymphoid organs.
7. What is the function of the bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, and spleen?
8. Discuss the cells of the immune response, how they function, and their relationship
with the lymphatic system
2
Outline - Lymphatic
I. Intro
II. Lymph
III. Lymphatic vessels
IV. Lymphoid tissues
V. Lymphoid organs
A. Primary lymphoid organs
B. Secondary lymphoid organs
3
Outline - Lymphatic
I. Intro
II. Lymph
III. Lymphatic vessels
IV. Lymphoid tissues
V. Lymphoid organs
A. Primary lymphoid organs
B. Secondary lymphoid organs
4
Lymphatic system introduction
Consists of:
-lymph
-lymphatic vessels
-lymphoid tissue/organs
Functions:
-produce, maintain, and distribute
lymphocytes
-return lost fluid to the blood/maintain
normal interstitial fluid levels
-alternate transport for hormones,
nutrients, and wastes
OpenStax A&P text
Outline - Lymphatic
I. Intro
II. Lymph
III. Lymphatic vessels
IV. Lymphoid tissues
V. Lymphoid organs
A. Primary lymphoid organs
B. Secondary lymphoid organs
6
What is lymph?
Fluid connective tissue
Main components:
1. interstitial fluid (fluid that leaks from capillaries)
2. immune cells (lymphocytes and macrophages)
Transported through lymphatic vessels
-capillaries, trunks, and ducts
Vessels carry lymph to other lymphatic organs
before returning it to the blood
Wikimedia commons
Outline - Lymphatic
I. Intro
II. Lymph
III. Lymphatic vessels
IV. Lymphoid tissues
V. Lymphoid organs
A. Primary lymphoid organs
B. Secondary lymphoid organs
8
Lymphatic vessels
Lymphatic capillaries:
-found in almost all tissues
-walls are only 1 cell layer thick
-fluid flows into capillaries when interstitial
pressure is high
-small valves ensure 1-way fluid flow
Compared to vascular capillaries:
-lymphatics larger in diameter
-lymphatics more permeable (more space
between endothelial cells)
-vascular capillaries do not have one way valves
-both thin-walled and transport fluid
OpenStax A&P text
Lymphatic vessels
Lymphatic trunks & ducts:
-larger diameter lymphatic vessels
-still contain 1-way valves
-walls made of 3 very thin cell layer
-eventually join with subclavian veins
Compared to veins:
-veins also have 1-way valves (arteries do not)
-3 layers in walls not easily identifiable like veins
(walls also thinner)
-lumen (interior) is larger in lymphatic vessels
OpenStax A&P text
Elephantiasis
Lymphatic vessels become blocked
Lost fluid cannot be returned to the blood
Causes swelling, as well as thickening of skin
Culprit: parasitic nematode (roundworm),
transmitted by mosquitos
Peretz Partensky, Tim Kubacki
Outline - Lymphatic
I. Intro
II. Lymph
III. Lymphatic vessels
IV. Lymphoid tissues
V. Lymphoid organs
A. Primary lymphoid organs
B. Secondary lymphoid organs
12
Lymphoid tissues
Both diffuse lymphatic tissue and lymphatic nodules encounter
pathogens as they enter through the gut, respiratory tract, etc. Peyer’s
patches
Filter/destroy pathogens before they enter cells/become lymph
Diffuse lymphatic tissue: found in mucous membranes
Lymphatic nodules: found in tonsils, Peyers patches (small
intestine), and appendix (large intestine)
Wikimedia commons
Outline - Lymphatic
I. Intro
II. Lymph
III. Lymphatic vessels
IV. Lymphoid tissues
V. Lymphoid organs
A. Primary lymphoid organs
B. Secondary lymphoid organs
14
Lymphoid organs
Differ from lymphoid tissues because organs have fibrous
capsule encasing them
Produce lymphocytes; filter lymph and blood
2 main groups of lymphoid organs:
1. Primary: produce lymphocytes
-bone marrow and thymus gland
2. Secondary: where lymphocytes fight pathogens
-lymph nodes, spleen
OpenStax A&P text
Primary lymphoid organs
Bone marrow produces mature B cells
-cells that produce antibodies
-antibodies flag pathogens for destruction by other
immune cells
Thymus produces mature T cells
-immature T cells migrate to thymus from marrow
-T cells communicate with other immune system cells,
can also destroy pathogens
Wikimedia commons
Secondary lymphoid organs
Lymph nodes filter lymph
-contain mature lymphocytes and macrophages
-regional clusters: cervical, axillary, lumbar, and
inguinal
Spleen filters blood
-extremely vascularized, fights blood-borne pathogens
-contains macrophages and mature lymphocytes
-also removes dead/dying red blood cells
Wikimedia commons
Body Defense
Mechanisms
The immune response
Immune system is built to protect us from:
1. Pathogens & toxins
• Bacteria
• Viruses
• Parasites
• Fungi
• Protists
2. Cancer cells
• Uncontrollably dividing body cells
Wikimedia commons
Three lines of defense
1. Barrier defenses
• Physical or chemical
• Non-specific
• Prevent infection from pathogens
2. Internal cellular/chemical defenses
• Non-specific
• Attack anything that passes barriers
3. Adaptive immune defenses
• Highly specific
• Attacks pathogens and creates a “memory”
Wikimedia commons
Barrier defenses
Body’s first line of defense against pathogens, prevent entry into the body
Continuously acting, non-specific (not designed to kill certain bacteria/viruses)
*not a response to infection
Includes:
-skin (including sweat & sebaceous glands)
-mucous membranes (respiratory & digestive)
-stomach acid
-urine
-saliva & tears
Internal defenses (innate)
Phagocyte
Defense cells: attack pathogens once they enter the body, not specific
-Phagocytes (macrophages & neutrophils) engulf pathogens
-Natural killer (NK) cells destroy cells infected with pathogens
or cancerous cells
Defense proteins: attract and aid defensive cells
-interferons from virus-infected cells attract macrophages
-complement system target pathogen cell membranes
NK cell
Wikimedia commons, ZEISS microscopy
Inflammation & Fever
Inflammation: immune response to remove pathogens and repair tissue
• Histamines dilate vessels and make them “leaky”
• Blood brings in WBCs and removes debris
• Redness & warmth due to increased blood flow
• Swelling & pain due to excess fluid build up
Fever: high body temperature
• Pyrogens raise body temperature set-point
• Moderate fever kills pathogens
• Very high fever (>105 F) can be lethal
OpenStax
Adaptive immune response
Highly specific response to pathogens
-can take a long time to become effective
-retains memory of past infections
Main cells: T & B cells (lymphocytes)
Lymphatic system houses many of these cells
How do these cells recognize pathogens?
• Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)
markers distinguish self/body cells
• Antigens distinguish foreign cells
Blausen
Types of lymphocytes
B cells
-form & mature in bone marrow
-produce antigen-specific antibodies
T cells
-form in marrow, mature in thymus
-recognize MHC self markers
-T cells trigger B cells & kill pathogens
Types of T cells:
-cytotoxic: directly attack pathogens
-helper: activate B cells & macrophages
-regulatory: suppress other T cells
-memory: activated by subsequent infections
Wikimedia commons
Antibody & cell mediated responses
Antibody-mediated response:
-fight extracellular pathogens & toxins
-B cells create antibodies that target antigens
-antibodies bind & flag pathogen for destruction
Cell-mediated response:
-fight cancer cells & infected body cells
-cytotoxic T cells kill the abnormal cells
OpenStax
Stages of adaptive immune response
1. Foreign cells enter the body
2. Macrophages detect and engulf the cell
3. Macrophages present antigen to helper T-cells
4. Helper T-cells activate specific B cells and T cells
5. T & B cells increase in number through clonal selection
6. B cells produce antibodies (kill pathogens, attract
phagocytes), cytotoxic T cells target infected cells
7. Memory T cells retain recognition of pathogen and allow
for rapid response upon reinfection
8. Suppressor T cells shut down immune response when no
longer needed
CCC Online
Active v. Passive immunity
Active: body produces its own B and T cells
-naturally occurs following infection
-also occurs with vaccines
-long term due to production of memory cells
Passive: body receives B and T cells it did not produce
-antibodies can be passed through placenta or
breastmilk
-short term because memory cells are not produced
Wikimedia commons
Problems with the immune system
Autoimmune disorders
-immune system cannot distinguish self cells
-attacks tissues of the body
-can be organ specific (problems with T cells)
-can be non-specific (problems with B cells)
Allergies
-immune system overreacts to antigen
-antigen typically harmless
-treated with medication to suppress immune response
Anaphylactic shock: extreme, potentially fatal allergic reaction
-insect stings, shellfish, peanuts, some medications
Katie Glover et al., Cenzi7
Objectives - Revisited
1. What are the functions and major structures of the lymphatic system?
2. What is lymph and what is it composed of?
3. Compare lymphatic vessels to vascular vessels.
4. Differentiate between lymphoid tissues and lymphoid organs.
5. Differentiate between diffuse lymphatic tissue and lymphatic nodules (and provide
examples of each).
6. Differentiate between primary and secondary lymphoid organs.
7. What is the function of the bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, and spleen?
8. Discuss the cells of the immune response, how they function, and their relationship
with the lymphatic system
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