TABLE 1 .
PROTECTIVE ANTIMICROBIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE SPLEEN
| Pulp | Functions |
|---|---|
| Red | - Blood-borne pathogens filtering |
| - Culling and pitting of red blood cells | |
| - Rapid GM-CSF release via IRA | |
| - Rapid antibodies release via B cells and plasmacells | |
|
| |
| White | Periarteriolar lymphoid sheath (PALS): |
| - Antigen presentation to T-lymphocytes by MZ macrophages | |
| - T-dependent Ig secretion | |
| Follicles: | |
| - Storage and maturation of B lymphocytes | |
| - Antibodies release by B lymphocytes | |
| - Production of complement, opsonins, properdin and tuftsin | |
| Marginal zone: | |
| - Antigen presentation by MZ macrophages to CD27 + IgM + B cells | |
| - Trapping of pathogens by MZ dendritic cells, metallophilic and MZ macrophages | |
| - Opsonin-dependent phagocytosis via complement and antibodies by MZ macrophages | |
| - Opsonin-independent phagocytosis via PRRs by MZ macrophages | |
| - Rapid clearance of blood-borne T-independent antigens | |
| - Rapid release of antibodies by CD27 + IgM + B cells | |
Abbreviations. GM-CSF = granulocyte - macrophages colony - stimulating factor; IRA = innate response activator; MZ = marginal zone; CD = cluster of differentiation; Ig = immunoglobulins; PRRs = pathogen-recognition-receptors.