Lecture 6: Lymphatic System

general functions of the lymphatic system

fluid balance, lipid absorption, defense

innate

type of immunity that remains consistent throughout the lifespan

adaptive

type of immunity that evolves as one is introduced to various pathogens throughout the lifespan

types of cells involved in adaptive immunity

T and B

type of cells involved in innate immunity

neutrophils, monocytes

cells in both types of immunity

PBMC, dendritic, macrophages, natural killers

antigen

molecule/structure that is able to bind to an antibody or T cell receptor, which can trigger an immune response

hapten

molecule that can resemble an antigen with and activate an immune response with assistance from a carrier molecule

antibody

receptors that bind to a specific antigen, produced by plasma cells produced by B cells

Pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs)

non specific patterns that allow macrophages and granulocytes, using their pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to attract and destroy pathogens

variable domain

V part of an antibody, specific to a certain pathogen

constant domain of B cells

straight part of antibody, aka immunoglobin, mediates immune response. there’s 5 classes

antibody mediated immunity

immunity involving B cells, which produce plasma and memory cells after ingesting pathogens

plasma cells

cells produced by B cells that produce antibodies to disable specific pathogens

memory cells

cells produced by B cells that are capable of quickly responding to a certain pathogen as B cells do

cell mediated immunity

type of immunity in which T cells attack pathogens

cytotoxic T cells

T cells that destroy abnormal cells, which they identify with their T cell receptors

T helper cells

cells that release inflammatory signaling molecules and regulate cytotoxic activity

constant domain of T cells

faces cytosol of T cells, communicates info to them

major histocompatibility complex (MHC)

complex that helps in self recognition, presenting unusual material on the cell’s surface

MHC Class I

endogenous, attaches to cytotoxic T cells, presents proteins the cell is NOT supposed to produce (indicates virus)

MHC Class II

exogenous, attaches to macrophages, b cells, dendritic cells, displays peptides originating from consumed bacteria to activate humoral response