RETICULOENDOTHELIAL SYSTEM OR MACROPHAGE SYSTEM

RETICULOENDOTHELIAL SYSTEM OR MACROPHAGE SYSTEM

Reticuloendothelial system or tissue macrophage system is the system of primitive phagocytic cells, which play an important role in defense mechanism of the body. The reticuloendothelial cells are found in the following structures:

1. Endothelial lining of vascular and lymph channels.

2. Connective tissue and some organs like spleen, liver, lungs, lymph nodes, bone marrow, etc.

Reticular cells in these tissues form the tissue macrophage system.

MACROPHAGE

Macrophage is a large phagocytic cell, derived from

monocyte .

CLASSIFICATION OF RETICULOENDOTHELIAL CELLS

Reticuloendothelial cells are classified into two types:

1. Fixed reticuloendothelial cells or tissue macrophages.

2. Wandering reticuloendothelial cells.

FIXED RETICULOENDOTHELIAL CELLS –TISSUE MACROPHAGES

Fixed reticuloendothelial cells are also called the tissue macrophages or fixed histiocytes because, these cells are usually located in the tissues. Tissue macrophages are present in the following

areas:

1. Connective Tissue

Reticuloendothelial cells in connective tissues and in serous membranes like pleura, omentum and mesentery are called the fixed macrophages of connective tissue.

2. Endothelium of Blood Sinusoid

Endothelium of the blood sinusoid in bone marrow, liver, spleen, lymph nodes, adrenal glands and pituitary glands also contain fixed cells. Kupffer cells present in liver belong to this category.

3. Reticulum

Reticulum of spleen, lymph node and bone marrow contain fixed reticuloendothelial cells.

4. Central Nervous System

Meningocytes of meninges and microglia form the tissue macrophages of brain.

5. Lungs

Tissue macrophages are present in the alveoli of lungs.

6. Subcutaneous Tissue

Fixed reticuloendothelial cells are present in subcutaneous tissue also

WANDERING RETICULOENDOTHELIAL CELLS AND TISSUE MACROPHAGES

Wandering reticuloendothelial cells are also called free histiocytes. There are two types of wandering

reticuloendothelial cells:

1. Free Histiocytes of Blood

i. Neutrophils

ii. Monocytes, which become macrophages and migrate to the site of injury or infection.

2. Free Histiocytes of Solid Tissue

During emergency, the fixed histiocytes from connective tissue and other organs become wandering cells and enter the circulation

FUNCTIONS OF RETICULOENDOTHELIAL SYSTEM

Reticuloendothelial system plays an important role in the defense mechanism of the body. Most of the functions of the reticuloendothelial system are carried out by the tissue macrophages.

Functions of tissue macrophages:

1. Phagocytic Function

Macrophages are the large phagocytic cells, which play an important role in defense of the body by

phagocytosis. When any foreign body invades, macrophages ingest them by phagocytosis and liberate the antigenic products of the organism. The antigens activate the helper T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes.  Lysosomes of macrophages contain proteolytic enzymes and lipases, which digest the bacteria and other foreign bodies.

2. Secretion of Bactericidal Agents

Tissue macrophages secrete many bactericidal agents which kill the bacteria. The important bactericidal agents of macrophages are the oxidants. An oxidant is a substance that oxidizes another substance.

Oxidants secreted by macrophages are:

i. Superoxide (O2

– )

ii. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)

iii. Hydroxyl ions (OH–).

These oxidants are the most potent bactericidal agents. So, even the bacteria which cannot be digested

by lysosomal enzymes are degraded by these oxidants.

3. Secretion of Interleukins

Tissue macrophages secrete the following interleukins, which help in immunity:

i. Interleukin-1 (IL-1): Accelerates the maturation and proliferation of specific B lymphocytes and

T lymphocytes.

ii. Interleukin-6 (IL-6): Causes the growth of B

lymphocytes and production of antibodies.

iii. Interleukin-12 (IL-12): Influences the T helper cells.

4. Secretion of Tumor Necrosis Factors

Two types of tumor necrosis factors (TNF) are secreted by tissue macrophages:

i. TNF-α: Causes necrosis of tumor and activates the immune responses in the body

ii. TNF-β: Stimulates immune system and vascular response, in addition to causing necrosis of

tumor.

5. Secretion of Transforming Growth Factor

Tissue macrophages secrete transforming growth factor, which plays an important role in preventing rejection of transplanted tissues or organs by immunosuppression.

6. Secretion of Colony-stimulation Factor

Colony-stimulation factor (CSF) secreted by macrophages is M-CSF. It accelerates the growth of granulocytes, monocytes and macrophages.

7. Secretion of Platelet-derived Growth Factor

Tissue macrophages secrete the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), which accelerates repair of damaged blood vessel and wound healing.

8. Removal of Carbon Particles and Silicon

Macrophages ingest the substances like carbon dust particles and silicon, which enter the body.

9. Destruction of Senile RBC

Reticuloendothelial cells, particularly those in spleen destroy the senile RBCs and release hemoglobin.

10. Destruction of Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin released from broken senile RBCs is degraded by the reticuloendothelial cells .

STRUCTURE OF SPLEEN

Spleen is the largest lymphoid organ in the body and it is highly vascular. It is situated in left hypochondrial region, i.e. upper left part of the abdomen, behind the stomach and just below the diaphragm. About 10% of people have one or more accessory spleens which are

situated near the main spleen. Spleen is covered by an outer serous coat and an inner fibromuscular capsule. From the capsule, the trabeculae and trabecular network arise. All the three

structures, viz. capsule, trabeculae and trabecular network contain collagen fibers, elastic fibers, smooth

muscle fibers and reticular cells. The parenchyma of spleen is divided into red and white pulp.

RED PULP

Red pulp consists of venous sinus and cords of structures like blood cells, macrophages and mesenchymal cells.