Professional Documents
Culture Documents
IMMUNOLOGY–SEROLOGY
MODULE 1 - INNATE IMMUNITY
INTRODUCTION:
Something to think about:
• Why is healthy skin important?
- Our skin, also known as the cutaneous membrane, covers the external surface of our
body and is the largest organ of the body in weight. Although its location makes it
vulnerable to damage from trauma, sunlight, microbes, and pollutants in the
environment, the skin’s protective features ward off such damage. Because of its
visibility, skin reflects our emotions (frowning, blushing) and some aspects of normal
physiology (such as sweating). Changes in skin color may also indicate homeostatic
imbalances in the body.
- A healthy skin, primarily an unbroken skin is our structural barrier that serves as our
external defense system that prevents us from acquiring most infectious agents and it
entering our body. This primarily shows how vulnerable are victims of severe burns are
to infection. Not only does the skin serve as a major structural barrier, but also the
presence of several secretions discourages the growth of microorganisms. Lactic acid
in sweat, for instance, and fatty acids from sebaceous glands maintain the skin at a pH
of approximately 5.6. This acid pH keeps most microorganisms from growing.
• Does the color of the skin have something to do with its protective ability?
- Yes the color of the skin actually have something to do with its protective ability,
Melanin is a yellow-red or brown-black pigment that contributes to skin color and
absorbs damaging ultraviolet (UV) light. Once inside keratinocytes, the melanin
granules cluster to form a protective veil over the nucleus, on the side toward the skin
surface. In this way, they shield the nuclear DNA from damage by UV light. Although
their melanin granules effectively protect keratinocytes, melanocytes themselves are
particularly susceptible to damage by UV light.
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➢ ICHTHYOSIS
Ichthyosis is the term used to describe continual and widespread scaling of the skin. It
may be inherited (genetic) or acquired during life. The inherited forms are rare, generally
present from infancy, and are usually lifelong conditions. Acquired ichthyosis can develop
at any age due to a number of medical problems, such as kidney disease. Most varieties of
ichthyosis are relatively rare, affecting only one person in several tens of thousands.
However, ichthyosis vulgaris is one exception; this form is estimated to affect one in every
250 people. Ichthyosis vulgaris is also the mildest form of ichthyosis and frequently goes
undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as simply “dry skin.”
Types of Ichthyosis
Epidermolytic Ichthyosis (EI)
- EI is characterized by thick, blistering, warty hardening of the skin over most of the body,
particularly in the skin creases over the joints. Scales tend to form in parallel rows of spines
or ridges. The skin may be fragile and may blister easily following injury. Babies with EI
are usually born with red, blistering, and denuded skin with visible skin thickening. Over
time there is a gradual decrease in the blistering, but an increase in the severity of the
thickness and scaling. A generalized redness of the skin (erythroderma) is present in some
individuals. Skin infections and heat intolerance cam be common problems.
Netherton Syndrome
- Netherton syndrome is a rare syndrome characterized by red, scaly skin, short brittle hair
and a predisposition to allergies, asthma and eczema. Newborns with Netherton syndrome
have reddened skin (erythroderma) and, occasionally, a thick shell-like covering of skin
(collodion membrane). They may also be born prematurely. Trouble gaining weight during
infancy and childhood is common. Atopic dermatitis (red, itchy patches of skin) may be
present, and a cradle cap-like scale and redness may appear on the face, scalp and eyebrows.
should be. The result is a build-up of scales. The entire body is covered with broad, dark,
plate-like scales separated by deep cracks. People with lamellar ichthyosis may experience
a condition called ectropion (a turning out of the eyelids to expose the red inner lid). People
with lamellar ichthyosis may also have thickened nails and hair loss due to the thickness of
the scales on their scalp. They may also have reddened skin (erythroderma), thickened skin
on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, and decreased sweating with heat
intolerance.
X-Linked Ichthyosis
- X-linked ichthyosis is one of the more commonly seen forms of ichthyosis. It occurs in 1
in approximately 6,000 births, can range from mild to severe, and occurs only in males. In
X-linked ichthyosis, the skin cells are produced at a normal rate, but they do not separate
normally at the surface of the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the skin) and are not
shed as quickly as they should be. The result is a buildup of scales. The scales of X-linked
are often dark and usually cover only a portion of the body. Typically the face, scalp, palms
of the hands and soles of the feet are unaffected, while the back of the neck is almost always
affected. X-linked ichthyosis frequently improves in the summer.
Ichthyosis Vulgaris
- Ichthyosis vulgaris is one of the more commonly seen types of ichthyosis. Sometimes
called common ichthyosis (“vulgar” means “common” in Latin), it appears in
approximately 1 in 250 individuals. Ichthyosis vulgaris often goes undiagnosed because
people who have it think they have simple “dry skin” and never seek treatment. In
ichthyosis vulgaris, the skin cells are produced at a normal rate, but they do not separate
normally at the surface of the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of skin) and are not
shed as quickly as they should be. The result is a buildup of scales. Usually only a portion
of the body may be involved (scaling is most common and most severe over the lower legs),
and the scale is usually fine and white. Scaling on the torso is usually less severe and the
face is usually unaffected. When the face is affected, the scaling is usually limited to the
forehead and cheeks.
- Our human body has 2 MAIN MECHANISMS to protect itself from harm
1. Innate/natural resistance
2. Adaptive/specific immune responses
- Natural immunity - Natural immunity (inborn or innate resistance) is one of the ways that
the body resists infection after microorganisms have penetrated the first line of defense.
Acquired resistance, which specifically recognizes and selectively eliminates exogenous or
endogenous agents. Natural immunity is characterized as a nonspecific mechanism. If a
microorganism penetrates the skin or mucosal membranes, a second line of cellular and
humoral defense mechanisms becomes operational. The elements of natural resistance
include phagocytic cells, complement, and the acute inflammatory reaction
- Characteristics:
1. Non-specific
2. Non-adaptive
3. Non-selective
4. No prior exposure
5. No change in response to subsequent exposures
6. Affected by the state of nutrition, age, fatigue, and stress, etc.
2. Mucous membranes
- layer of cells that surrounds body organs and body orifices. It is made from
ectodermal tissue. Mucous membranes can contain or secrete mucus, which is a thick
fluid that protects the inside of the body from dirt and pathogens such as viruses and
bacteria. Many different mucous membranes exist, such as mucous membranes in the
respiratory system, digestive system, and reproductive system.
hypothalamus responds to internal and external stimuli and makes any necessary adjustments
to keep your body within a few degrees of 98.6.
2. Eosinophils
- Eosinophils are approximately 12 to 15 μm in diameter, and they normally make up
between 1 and 3 percent of the circulating white blood cells in a nonallergic person. Their
number increases in an allergic reaction or in response to many parasitic infections. The
nucleus is usually bilobed or ellipsoidal and is often eccentrically located. Primary granules
contain acid phosphatase and arylsulfatase, while eosinophil-specific granules contain
several different proteins: major basic protein, eosinophil cationic protein, eosinophil
peroxidase, and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin.25 These cells are capable of phagocytosis
but are much less efficient than neutrophils because of the smaller numbers present and
their lack of digestive enzymes. Their most important role is neutralizing basophil and mast
cell products and killing certain parasites.
3. Basophils
- Basophils are found in very small numbers, representing less than 1 percent of all
circulating white blood cells. The smallest of the granulocytes, they are between 10 to 15
μm in diameter and contain coarse, densely staining deep-bluish-purple granules that often
obscure the nucleus. Constituents of these granules are histamine, a small amount of
heparin, and eosinophil chemotactic factor-A, all of which have an important function in
inducing and maintaining immediate hypersensitivity reactions. Histamine is a vasoactive
amine that contracts smooth muscle, and heparin is an anticoagulant. IgE, the
immunoglobulin formed in allergic reactions, binds readily to basophil cell membranes,
and granules release their constituents when they contact an antigen. The granules lack
hydrolytic enzymes, although peroxidase is present. Basophils exist for only a few hours
in the bloodstream.
4. Mast cells
- Tissue mast cells resemble basophils, but they are connective tissue cells of
mesenchymal origin. They are widely distributed throughout the body and are larger than
basophils, with a small round nucleus and more granules. Unlike basophils, they have a
long-life span of between 9 and 18 months. The enzyme content of the granules helps to
distinguish them from basophils, as they contain acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase,
and protease. The mast cell, like the basophil, plays a role in hypersensitivity reactions by
binding IgE.
5. Monocytes/macrophage
- Monocytes, or mononuclear cells, are the largest cells in the peripheral blood, with a
diameter that can vary from 12 to 22 μm; they have an average size of 18 μm. One
distinguishing feature is an irregularly folded or horseshoe-shaped nucleus that occupies
almost one-half of the entire cell’s volume. The abundant cytoplasm stains a dull grayish
blue and has a ground-glass appearance due to the presence of fine dust-like granules. These
granules are actually of two types, one of which contains peroxidase, acid phosphatase, and
arylsulfatase; this indicates that these granules are similar to the lysosomes of neutrophils.
The other type of granule may contain β-glucuronidase, lysozyme, and lipase, but no
alkaline phosphatase. Digestive vacuoles may also be observed in the cytoplasm. These
make up between 4 and 10 percent of total circulating white blood cells; however, they do
not remain in the circulation for long. They stay in peripheral blood for up to 70 hours, and
then they migrate to the tissues and become known as macrophages.
6. Dendritic cells
- Dendritic cells are so named because they are covered with long membranous
extensions that make them resemble nerve cell dendrites. Their main function is to
phagocytose antigen and present it to helper T lymphocytes. While their actual
developmental lineage is not known, they are believed to be descendents of the myeloid
line. They are classified according to their tissue location, in a similar manner to
macrophages. Langerhans cells are found on skin and mucous membranes; interstitial
dendritic cells populate the major organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidney, and the
gastrointestinal tract; and interdigitating dendritic cells are present in the T lymphocyte
areas of secondary lymphoid tissue and the thymus. After capturing antigen in the tissue by
phagocytosis or endocytosis, they migrate to the blood and to lymphoid organs, where they
present antigen to T lymphocytes to initiate the acquired immune response. They are the
most potent phagocytic cell in the tissue.
Mechanisms:
1. Phagocytosis
Steps:
a. Adherence
b. Phagosome
c. Phagolysosome
d. Digestion/ cytopepsis
e. Exocytosis
Opsonization – defined as enhanced phagocytosis
Examples of opsonins:
- IgM antibodies
- IgG antibodies
- C3b proteins
- C4b proteins
- C1q proteins
- Pentraxins
- Collectins
- Ficolins
- Mannose-binding lectin (MBL)