White pulp
White pulp | |
---|---|
Details | |
Precursor | mesoderm |
Artery | trabecular artery |
Vein | trabecular vein |
Identifiers | |
Latin | noduli lymphoidei splenici |
TA98 | A13.2.01.006 |
TA2 | 5176 |
FMA | 62805 |
Anatomical terminology |
This article needs attention from an expert in Anatomy. Please add a reason or a talk parameter to this template to explain the issue with the article.(November 2008) |
White pulp is a histological designation for regions of the spleen (named because it appears whiter than the surrounding red pulp on gross section), that encompasses approximately 25% of splenic tissue. White pulp consists entirely of lymphoid tissue.
Specifically, the white pulp encompasses several areas with distinct functions:
- Periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths (PALS) are typically associated with the arteriole supply of the spleen; contain T lymphocytes.
- Lymph follicles with dividing B lymphocytes are located between PALS and marginal zone. IgM and IgG2 are produced in this zone. These molecules play a role in opsonization of extracellular organisms, and encapsulated bacteria in particular.
- Marginal zone exists between the white pulp and red pulp.[1] is located further away from the central arteriole (in proximity to red pulp), it contains antigen presenting cells (such as dendritic cells, macrophages, and specialized macrophages called metallophillic macrophages) (APCs).[2]
Macrophages in the White Pulp
The T cell zone, periarteriolar sheath and B cell follicles contain discrete macrophage populations, however not much is known about these macrophage populations in terms of their origin and life span. These macrophages are not unique to the spleen but instead make up an integral part of the lymphoid parts of all secondary lymphoid organs.
In the B cell follicles, the macrophages are important in clearing the apoptotic B cells that occur during the germinal centre reaction in the process of somatic hypermutation and isotype switching. B cells that cannot form their appropriate receptors will die of apoptosis and are subsequently cleared by the macrophages in the germinal centre. During intensive germinal centre reactions, this process is obvious due to the presence of the large macrophages in the germinal centre, known as tingible body macrophages (they're named this because their 'tingible bodies' represent condensed apoptotic nuclei. In order for the apoptotic cells to be taken up by macrophages, it is important that phosphatidyl serine is expressed on the outer surface of the apoptotic cells, which is recognised by multiple receptors. The tingible body macrophages express: tyrosine kinase Mer, the milk fat globule epidermal growth factor 8 and Tim-4, all of which supports the engulfment of the apoptotic cells into the macrophages.
Macrophages are also present in the T cell area of the white pulp but their role is less well understood. This population of macrophages can be found in all the other T cell zones of the secondary lymphoid organs. It is possible that these macrophages are descendants of patrolling monocytes that entered the white pulp from the blood. Due to them being positioned alongside T cells, it is suggested that these macrophages have a role in antigen presentation or the removal of dying lymphocytes.[1]
See also
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1285 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- ^ a b den Haan, Joke M.M.; Kraal, Georg (2012). "Innate Immune Functions of Macrophage Subpopulations in the Spleen". Journal of Innate Immunity. 4 (5–6): 437–445. doi:10.1159/000335216. ISSN 1662-8128.
- ^ Le, Tao (2018). First aid to usmle step 1 2018. p. 98.
External links
- Histology image: 07703loa – Histology Learning System at Boston University
- Swiss embryology (from UL, UB, and UF) qblood/lymphat06
- Anatomy Atlases – Microscopic Anatomy, plate 09.174 - "Spleen: White Pulp splenic nodule"