Immunology

activation

Activation of cells of the immune system variably induces proliferation, differentiation, production, and maturation. Some activated cells of the immune system are involved in activation (costimulation) of other cell types. Likewise, some activated cells express molecules involved in activation.

activating agents : B cell activation : costimulatory agents : costimulatory cells : complement activation pathways : dendritic cell activation : granulocyte activation : lymphocyte activation : macrophage alternative : macrophage classical : markers : mediators : monocyte-macrophage : pDC : phagocyte activation : precursor dendritic cells : signaling/receptors : T cell activation : Tc activation : Th activation

Activating agents
_antigen
___pathogens
___pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP)
___danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMP)

Markers
___major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules

Costimulatory agents
___CD28
___ ● SLAM (signaling lymphocytic activation molecule), a 70-kDa costimulatory molecule belonging to the Ig superfamily
___ ● ICOS (inducible costimulator) molecules
___ ● TNFR: CD40, CD30, CD27, OX-40, 4-1BB
___ ● negative regulators of costimulation: CTLA-4, PD-1

Costimulatory cells
helper T cells (Th) for activation of B cells, and APCs for activation of T cells
_Antigen presenting cells display epitope proteins – exogenous antigen or fragmented angtigen from phagocytosed cells – on their surfaces. APCs include:
___phagocytic cells – dendritic cells, macrophages
___B cells (B lymphocytes)

Signaling / receptors
_pattern recognition receptors
_____complement receptors (table)
_____Fc receptors (table)
_____scavenger receptors (table)
_____Toll-like receptors (table)
_TNFR
_B cell receptors (BCR)
___immunoglobulin - antibodies (table)
_T cell receptors (TCR)
_____clusters of differentiation
_____major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules

Mediators
_immune cytokines (table)

Phagocytes

Dendritic cells
Dendritic cells and their immature counterparts, Langerhans cells (LC), are highly specialized, professional antigen-presenting cells (APC). Immature dendritic cells are called 'veiled cells' because they display large cytoplasmic 'veils' rather than the long dendritic projections of mature cells. As key regulators of immune responses, dendritic cells (DC) stimulate lymphocytes to perform cell-mediated and humoral immune responses against pathogens and tumor cells.

Immature, precursor dendritic cells (pDC) circulate throughout the body, migrating to lymphocyte rich tissues (such as spleen and lymph nodes) upon stimulating encounter with antigen. The dendritic cells internalize the antigen then externalize (fragmented) antigen that they present to lymphocytes in MHC-peptide complexes, expressing markers that stimulate lymphocyte activation.

Monocytemacrophage activation
Production of the macrophage lineage from progenitors in the bone marrow is typically controlled by M-CSF, which is constitutively expressed by many cell types. Serum levels of M-CSF and GM-CSF increase in response to invasive stimuli and inflammation, and monocyte numbers increase dramatically. M-CSF-derived macrophages are larger, and have a higher phagocytic capacity, while GM-CSF-derived macrophages are more cytotoxic against TNF-α-resistant tumour targets, express more MHC class II antigen, and constitutively secrete more PGE-2.

Classically activated macrophages are associated with chronic inflammation and tissue injury wherein classically activated macrophages exhibit a Th1-like phenotype, promoting inflammation, destruction of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and apoptosis. Classical macrophage activation proceeds in two stages.
1. IFN-γ-primed stage in which macrophages exhibit enhanced MHC class II expression, antigen presentation, but reduced proliferative capacity. (IFN-α, IFN-β, IL-3, M-CSF, GM-CSF and TNF-α can also prime macrophages for selected functions.)
2. Secondary stimuli operated to fully activate primed macrophages. Diverse agents provide secondary signals (including LPS (CD14), bacteria, yeast glucans, GM-CSF and phorbol esters). Macrophages stimulated for tumoricidal activity secrete IL-1, display decreased MHC class II gene transcription, and are generally poor antigen presenters of antigen.[r]

Alternatively activated macrophages typically resolve inflammation and facilitate wound healing wherein they display a Th2-like phenotype, promoting construction of ECM, cell proliferation, and angiogenesis. Alternative macrophage activation does not require a priming stage and IL-42 and/or IL-1326 can act as sufficient stimuli.[r2]

Granulocyte activation
The hematopoietic cytokines, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) have pleiotropic activating effects on mature leukocytes, which can improve leukocyte function, facilitating eradication of microbial infections. G-CSF activates neutrophils, while GM-CSF activates neutrophils, eosinophils, and monocyte/macrophages.

Lymphocytes
B cell activation: naïve B cellsplasma cells
Activation of naïve B cells occurs when a BCR (antibody) encounters and ligates its cognate antigen. B cells are coated in immunoglobulin receptors and are able to recognize intact antigen, which they engulf, digest, and subsequently present in complex with surface MHC class II molecules. The MHC-peptide complex binds CD4 + helper T cells (Th), inducing secretion of cytokines that stimulate B cell proliferation and their differentiation into plasma cells, which secrete specific antibodies that bind with the cognate antigen. These antigen-antibody complexes are subsequently cleared by liver and spleen cells and the classical complement cascade.

T cell activation:
Activation of T cells requires a first signal of TCR engagement, which ensures antigen specificity and MHC restriction of the response. The second signal comprises synergistic costimulatory signaling by professional antigen presenting cells. The costimulatory second signal is necessary to sustain and integrate TCR signaling to stimulate optimal T cell proliferation and differentiation. The level of activation of T cells is closely related to their state of differentiation.

Activation of the resting Tc cell involves two steps: 1) TCR on the CD8+ cell interacts with antigen-class I MHC complex on the surface of a target cell. 2) CD8+ Tc cell is stimulated by cytokines, particularly IL-2, which have been secreted predominantly by activated Th cells. Resting Tc do not express IL-2 receptors until antigen stimulation increases the expression of Tc IL-2 receptors, ensuring that activation is confined to Tc cells that ligate cognate antigen. Activated Tc cells become CTLs.

The first signal for helper T cell (Th) activation is interaction of the TcR-CD3 complex with antigen-MHC class II molecules on the surface of an antigen presenting cell. Stimulation is aided by the CD4 molecule on Th cells, with or without assistance from other accessory molecules, such as CD45, CD28 and CD2. Increased IL-2 secretion by the T cell and an increase in IL-2 receptors on the T cell surface trigger a cascade of biochemical events.



Three pathways are involved in complement activation:
classical pathway (binding of an antibody to its cognate antigen)
alternative pathway (relies upon spontaneous conversion of C3 to C3b)
mannose-binding lectin pathway (MBL -MAPS) (homologous to the classical pathway, but utilizes opsonin, mannan-binding lectin (MBL) and ficolins rather than C1q)

▲ф A activating agents § adaptor protein ~ adhesion molecules ф affinity maturationAID ф anergy ф antibodies ф antigen ф APCsapoptosis ф autoimmunity B : B cell activation ф B cellsbloodbone marrow C סּ caspases ф CDcell-cycle controlcellular fate ф cellular responsecellular signal transductionchemotaxis ф class-switch recombination ф clonal selection ф complement system : complement activation pathways : costimulatory agents : costimulatory cells ~ cytokines ~ cytokine receptors D סּ death receptor : dendritic cell activation ф dendritic cellsdifferentiation E סּ ECM F ♦ Fyn G ф gene conversiongerminal centers : granulocyte activation ф granulocytes H ф helper T cell ф hematopoiesis ф humoral immunity I ф immune cytokines ф immune response ф immune tolerance ~ immunoglobulins § immunoglobulin isotypes ф inflammatory response ф interferons ф isotype switching L ф leukocytes ф leukocyte adhesion cascade : lymphocyte activation ф lymphocyteslymphoid system ф lymphokines ф lymphoid system M : macrophage alternative : macrophage classical ф macrophages ф MHC ф migration ¤ mitogens ф monocytes : markers : mediators : monocyte-macrophage N § NF-κB P ф pathogens ф pattern-recognition receptors : pDC : phagocyte activation ф phagocyte ф plasma cells : precursor dendritic cells ¤ proliferation R ф receptors S ф secondary antibody diversification ф signaling ¤ signaling molecules : signaling/receptorssignal transduction ф somatic hypermutation, somatic mutation ф surface receptors T : T cell activation ф T cells : Tc activation : Th activation ф thymusthymus ф (tolerance) ▲ф


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APCs

APCs are antigen presenting cells, which display epitope proteins – exogenous antigen or fragmented antigen from phagocytosed cells – on their surfaces.

APC types : B cells : BCRs : CD1 family : CD1 proteins : CD4+ : class II MHC : dendritic cells : endocytosis : exocytosis : fragmented antigen peptides : histocompatibility molecules : γδ T cells : intact antigen : lipid antigen : macrophages : mycobacterial cell wall components : peptide antigen : phagocytic presenting cells : T cells and fragmented peptides, T cells and lipid antigens

Antigen presenting cells include:
phagocytic cells – dendritic cells, macrophages
B cells (B lymphocytes)
γδ T cells

Fragmented antigen – APCs engulf the antigen through endocytosis, then the endosome fuses with a lysosome where the antigen is digested into fragments such as short peptides. Following, exocytosis, a class II histocompatibility molecule holds the fragmented antigenic peptides at the surface of the cell, where they may be recognized by CD4+ T cells.

Intact antigen – dendritic cells can present intact antigen to B cells (not fragmented in lysosomes) by presenting the antigen on the cell surface. This antigen can bind to BCRs of the appropriate specificity, and can stimulate the B cells.

Presentation of peptide antigens for activation of naïve T cells does not reside solely in dendritic cells. A population of γδ T cells can efficiently present peptide antigens to αβT cells, and γδ T cells of the major tissue subset recognize self and foreign nonpeptide, lipid antigens presented by CD1 proteins. γδ T cells carry TCRs encoded by different gene segments than those of αβ T cells.

CD1 proteins are a family (CD1a-e) of cluster of differentiation glycoproteins related to the class I MHC molecules. CD1 are involved in the presentation of lipid and glycolipid antigens, particularly self, microbial, and mycobacterial cell wall components, to CD1-specific T cells.

The human CD1 family of transmembrane glycoproteins are encoded by five CD1 family genes organized in a cluster on chromosome 1. CD1 glycoproteins form heterodimers with beta-2-microglobulin. CD1 family members are considered to differ in cellular localization and specificity for particular lipid ligands. The CD1a protein (R4, T6, CD1, FCB6, HTA1) localizes to the plasma membrane and to recycling vesicles of the early endocytic system. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been observed.[e]

ф activationalternative splicing ф antibodies ф antigen ф B cells cell membranes ф costimulation ф dendritic cellsendosomesexosome ф helper T cell ф killer T cellslysosome ф macrophages ф MHC ф pathogens ф pattern-recognition receptors ф phagocytephagocytosisreceptor-mediated endocytosis ф surface receptors ф γδ T cells ф T cells

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cellular response

Cellular responses to invading pathogens utilize phagocytic and cytotoxic cells of the innate and adaptive immune responses.

The immune system is intimately connected with the hematologic system since white blood cells (leukocytes, including B- and T-lymphocytes) are key players in the lymphoid system.
Cellular participants in the immune and inflammatory responses include :
phagocytic cells (dendritic cells, monocytes and macrophages, and granulocytes)
antigen presenting cells (dendritic cells, macrophages, B lymphocytes, helper T cells, γδ T cells)
antibody producing cells (plasma cells)
cytotoxic cells (CTL, NK)
● regulatory cells (APCs, helper T cells, regulatory T cells)
● cells-in-waiting (memory B cells, monocytes)
● chemical releasing cells (basophils, eosinophils, neutrophils; mast cells - histamine, cytokines; hepatocytes - complement proteins)

Innate responses solely comprise cellular immune responses employ phagocytic cells that are circulating or tissue emplaced – granulocytes, monocytes, dendritic cells, macrophages, natural killer T cells, and B lymphocytes. The innate response induces (triggers) the adaptive system, the cellular component of which relies upon activated macrophages, T-lymphocytescytotoxic T lymphocytes (killer T cells).

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lymphoid system

Components of the lymphoid system are:
● immune cells – B cell lymphocytes and plasma cells, dendritic cells, granulocytes, macrophages, monocytes of mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), T cell lymphocytes
● lymph ducts and vessels and lymph nodes (right)
[] histopathology []
● lymphoid organs including reticuloendothelial system – bone marrow, (lymph nodes), mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, Peyer's patches, spleen, thymus, tonsils, vermiform appendix

The reticuloendothelial system or mononuclear phagocytic system comprises a range of cells that are capable of phagocytosis, including macrophages and monocytes. Phagocytosis is an innate immune process, and is not an adaptive immune process. The phagocytic cells either circulate in the blood or are attached to various connective tissues such as pulmonary alveoli, liver sinusoids, skin, spleen, and joints.

The RES functions to provide phagocytic cells for both the inflammatory response and immune responses (primary RES) and to remove pathogens and senescent cells from circulation (secondary RES)

The reticuloendothelial system (RES) includes:
● primary (central) lymphoid production organs – bone marrow, thymus
● secondary (peripheral) lymphoid function organs – circulating monocytes, histiocytes located in many tissues, Kupffer cells of the liver, "Littoral cells" of the spleen, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), which is subdivided into bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) and gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), Peyer's patches.

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o-o index of tissue micrographs [] germinal centers [] fluorescence microscopy dendritic cell uptake of dying cells within spleen [] micrograph red pulp of spleen [] micrograph splenic red pulp [] micrograph spleen cells (mouse) DAPK2 stained [] micrograph white pulp, splenic nodule [] micrograph white pulp infiltrate with Langhans giant cell [] histopathology spleen Gaucher's disease [] micrograph gallery cell surface antigens [] Virtual Histology Main []


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macrophages

Macrophages (and dendritic cells) are distributed in peripheral tissues where they eliminate invading foreign substances and are therefore responsible for innate immunity.

▼: acquired immunity : alveolar macrophages : APC : exudate macrophages : free and fixed macrophages : histiocytes : IL-1 : inflammatory macrophages : Kupffer's cells : Langerhans's cells : leukocyte immigration : life-span : mononuclear phagocyte system : MPS : normal macrophages : peritoneal, pleural macrophages : phagocytes : RES : reticulo-endothelial system : tissue renewal :▼

Macrophages are mature, tissue-differentiated monocytes of the reticulo-endothelial system (RES) or mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS). Since macrophages are derived exclusively from monocytes they exhibit similar properties. The term exudate macrophages designates the developmental stage and not the functional state. Inflammatory macrophages are found in exudates, where they may be characterized specific markers, such as peroxidase activity. Normal macrophages include macrophages located in tissues that include:
● connective tissue –histiocytes
● liver sinusoids – Kupffer's cells
● lung – alveolar macrophages
● lymph nodes – free and fixed macrophages
● spleen – free and fixed macrophages
● bone marrow – fixed macrophages
● serous fluids –pleural and peritoneal macrophages
● skin – histiocytes, Langerhans's cell

Macrophages trigger acquired immunity by capturing foreign (exogenous) antigens, which they ingest in cellular lysosomes. [im] Post-hydrolysis, the fragmented antigens are displayed on the cell surface together with macrophage proteins (APC). A number of C-type lectins are specifically expressed on macrophages and dendritic cells.

Coated with fragments of foreign antigens, macrophages migrate to secondary lymphoid organs, where they present the antigens to T lymphocytes. This process sensitizes the T cells to recognize antigens.

Macrophages are ubiquitously distributed mononuclear phagocytes responsible for numerous homeostatic, immunological, and inflammatory processes. Their wide tissue distribution enables them to provide an immediate defence against foreign elements prior to leukocyte immigration. Macrophages participate in both specific immunity via antigen presentation and in IL-1 production and nonspecific immunity against bacterial, viral, fungal, and neoplastic pathogens, so macrophages display a range of functional and morphological phenotypes. The life-span of macrophages ranges from 6 to 16 days. Under normal, steady-state conditions, tissue macrophages are renewed by local proliferation of progenitor cells rather than by monocyte influx into tissue, though invagination of monocytes does occur.

▲: acquired immunity : alveolar macrophages ф antibodies ф antigen : APC ф APCs ф B cells ф blood ф dendritic cells : exudate macrophages : free and fixed macrophages ф granulocytes ф hematopoiesis : histiocytes : IL-1 : inflammatory macrophages ф inflammatory response ф immune cytokines ф immune response : Kupffer's cells : Langerhans's cells : leukocyte immigration ф leukocytes : life-span ф leukocytes ф lymphocytes ф lymphokines ф lymphoid system ф migration ф monocytes : mononuclear phagocyte system : MPS : normal macrophages : peritoneal, pleural macrophages : phagocytes ф phagocyte ф receptors : RES : reticulo-endothelial system ф T cells : tissue renewal :▲

[] Macrophage in the process of surrounding tumor cell, artist's impression - cellular_macrophage [] sem Macrophage [] sem "walking macrophage" [] sem activated macrophage phagocytosing bacteria [] sem alveolar macrophage attacking E. coli [] tem macrophage-eosinophil [] micrograph macrophage surrounded by normal plasma cells [] micrograph macrophage & plasma cells [] micrograph erythroid island central macrophage [] micrograph foamy alveolar macrophage [] immunofluorescence tubulin in macrophage [] micrograph lymph node [] micrograph lymphoid follicle with germinal center H&E [] micrograph normal spleen [] micrograph macrophage & neutrophils in spleen [] thymus micrograph gallery [] macrophage attacking bacterium [] phagocytic embrace [] cartoon macrophage attacks []

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animations Џ Neutrophil Џ Platelet Response Џ Atopic Dermatitis Џ beautiful Flash 8 animation - inner life of the cell and Interpretation: Inner Life of the Cell Џ


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maturation

Maturation involves signal-regulated adjustments in cells/immune cells/thymocytic cells that lead to cellular specialization.

stem → progenitor → precursor → adult → mature

pDCDC
monocytemacrophage
B thymocyte → B lymphocyteplasma cells or memory B cells
T thymocyte → T lymphocyteTcCTL, some CTLCIK
______________-________helper T cells
______________-________regulatory T cells
______________-________natural killer T cells

Dendritic cells (DC) are the most potent antigen presenting cells of the immune system. A variety of factors operate in antigen recognition and processing by immature (precursor) dendritic cells and in the maturation of immature cells. Toll-like receptors on the surfaces of precurson dendritic cells recognize microbial components and induce the differentiation of dendritic cell precursors. GM-CSF and IL-4 stimulate the maturation of monocytopoietic pDC1, while IL-3 stimulates the differentiation of pDC2. The stimulatory capacity (maturation) of DCs plus their the expression of CD40, CD54, CD58, CD80, CD83, CD86 and MHC class II molecules is enhanced by eicosanoid-fatty acid-prostaglandins: PGE2 > PGE1 > PGF2α > PGI2 (prostacyclin). PG effects on the maturation of DC and enhanced T cell proliferation are mimicked by db-cAMP and forskolin, indicating that maturation effects are due to elevated cAMP levels. Maturation of DCs is accompanied by secretion of higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-12, enhancing DC capacity to induce a Th1 immune response.

Affinity maturation is a process of affinity-selected differentiation of activated B cells. Repeated exposures to the same antigen provokes greater antibody ligating affinity in the antibody secreted by successive generations of plasma cells. Somatic mutations mediate the maturation of T-dependent humoral immune responses. Clones of B cell clones that express antibodies with progressively increased affinity are selected by antigen-signaling from somatic variants of germ-line-encoded genes. However, such antigen selection cannot explain the emergence of B cell clones secreting rather low-affinity antibodies and the shift to alternative germ-line V region gene combinations occurring during secondary and tertiary responses. Idiotypic suppression may favor this clonal shift. Idiotypic recognition in the syngeneic host that is highly restricted to private idiotopes of each clone sequentially activated during immune maturation could explain the phenomenon.[pm] Џ B cell maturation - animation Џ

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monocytes

Monocytes are considered to be immature macrophages, and the two types have been considered part of the reticulo-endothelial system (RES) or mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS).

Monocytes play a central role in coordinating immune responses by secreting cytokines and prostaglandins. Cytokines, particularly IL-1, amplify the antigen-induced activation of T cells, whereas released prostaglandins such as PGE2 are potent inhibitors of activation.

Monocytopoiesis takes place in the bone marrow:
stem cell → committed stem cell (common myeloid progenitor) → monoblast → promonocyte → monocyte (bone marrow) → monocyte (peripheral blood) → macrophage or myeloid dendritic cell (tissue).

Monocyte differentiation in the bone marrow requires 1.5 to 3 days. Three glycoprotein growth factors initiate the bone marrow differentiation of macrophages from uni- and bipotential progenitor cells. IL-3 controls the progression from pluripotential stem cell to myeloid-restricted progenitor. IL-3 generates differentiated progeny of all myeloid lineages, and as IL-3-responsive progenitors differentiate, they became responsive to GM-CSF and M-CSF, the two growth factors that determine monocyte/macrophage-restricted progeny. Following commitment to their lineage, monocytes and macrophages remain dependent on these growth factors for continued proliferation and viability. TNF-α, a member of the TNF-receptor superfamily, has also been implicated in growth regulation for macrophage precursors.

Some neutrophilic granules form in the monocyte cytoplasm during development, but these are fewer than those of neutrophil (neutrophilic granulocytes). Circulating monocytes possess migratory, chemotactic, pinocytic, and phagocytic capabilities, in addition to having receptors for IgG Fc-domains (FcR) and iC3b complement. Following migration into tissues, monocytes undergo further differentiation to become multifunctional tissue macrophages.

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