Human Defenses Against Infectious Diseases o short-lived phagocytes

• Monocytes in the blood

TYPES OF HUMAN DEFENSES • Macrophages
• Nonspecific defense mechanisms (Innate) o are monocytes that migrated to tissues
• Specific defense mechanisms (Adaptive) o long-lived phagocytes

THREE LINES OF HUMAN DEFENSES Types of Macrophages

• First Line of Defense ▪ Wandering macrophages
• Second Line of Defense o well-distributed in loose connective tissues
• Third Line of Defense ▪ Fixed Macrophages
o Macrophages that are fixed in specific organs
PART I- NON-SPECIFIC MECHANISMS OF DEFENSE of the body
• destroy ALL types of substances that are foreign to it. ✓ Fixed Macrophages:
• also known as INNATE immunity a. Kupffer cells of liver
• present at birth b. Alveolar dust cells of the lungs
c. Microglial cells of the brain
NON-SPECIFIC MECHANISMS OF DEFENSE d. Mesanglial cells of the kidney
1. FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE: e. Langerhan’s cells of the skin
1) Intact skin f. Histiocytes of the connective tissues
• physical barrier to pathogens
• chemical barrier due to pH of 3.0 to 5.0 CHEMICAL RESPONSES:
(acidic pH); KILLS MOST MICROBES 1. Fever Reduction – secreted by proteins called pyrogens
2) Mucous membranes 2. Cellular Secretion
• line open body cavities a. Interferons – are anti-viral proteins produced by
• secrete mucus which works like virus-infected cells which prevent viral replication.
“flypaper” entrapping microbes Types:
3) Chemical barriers (body secretions) o Alpha interferon - produced by
• skin’s normal secretions: leucocyte (WBC’s)
o sweat (sweat glands) o Beta interferon - produced by
o sebum/fatty acids (oil glands) fibroblasts
• lysozyme (saliva, tears, nasal secretions) o Gamma interferon - produced by
• acidity of stomach (digestive enzymes- gastric lymphocytes
juice pH of 2.0 kills some bacteria & breaks b. Fibronectin – block attachment of bacteria to
down their toxins) epithelial tissue
• alkalinity of the intestines c. B-lysin – a polypeptide released from blood
2. SECOND LINE OF DEFENSE platelets during infection. It can also be found
White Blood Cells (WBC’s) inside phagocytes where it aids in the digestion of
• also known as Leukocytes microbes.
• Active Phagocytes that engulf and destroy microbes d. Interleukins – activate T cells
TYPES OF WBC’s e. Complement – stimulated by an antigen-antibody
GRANULOCYTES – WITH DISTINCT GRANULES reaction. Ends in LYSIS of bacterial and foreign
Basophils 0 – 1% Bluish- Increased cells.
black in cases of 3. Inflammation – a normal mechanism usually due to
granules allergies an infection anywhere in the body.
Eosinophils 2 – 4% Orange-red Increased Purposes of inflammation:
granules in cases of − Localize an infection
(2-3 lobes) parasitic − Prevent the spread of microbial invaders
infections/ − Neutralize toxins
allergies − Aid in the repair of damaged tissues
Neutrophils 50 – 70% Lilac Increased Cardinal signs of Inflammation:
granules in bacterial a. rubor (redness of the affected area)
(3-5 lobes) infection/ b. calor (heat)
acute c. tumor (swelling)
diseases d. dolor (pain)
AGRANULOCYTES – NOT SO DISTINCT GRANULES e. functio laesa (loss of function)
Lymphocytes 20 – 40% Same size Increased
with RBC in viral PART II- SPECIFIC MECHANISMS OF
infections DEFENSE/ADAPTIVE/ACQUIRED
Monocytes 3 – 8% Kidney/ Increased • Supplements Innate immunity
Bean/ in cases of • Absent at birth
Horse- chronic • Also known as adaptive/acquired immunity
shoe infections • With memory and specificity
nucleus
Immune System
Groups of Active Phagocytes Primary functions:
• Neutrophils in the blood
 − Differentiate between “self” and “non-self”
(“foreign”) CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNITY / T-CELLS
− Destroy that which is “non-self” 4 subsets of T-cells:
1. T-helper cells (Th) (70%)- help B cells to produce
Antigens – considered as any foreign particle that enters the body antibodies
such as dust, food, and any microorganism. 2. T-suppressor cells (Ts) (30%)- suppress B cells not to
Immunogens – any foreign particle that triggers a response from produce antibodies.
the body’s immune system and stimulate antibody production. ** Normal ratio of Th: Ts = 2 : 1
3. T-cytotoxic cells (Tc)- lyse & destroy foreign cells
▪ All antigens are immunogens. TRUE OR FALSE (cancer cells) and virus-infected cells
▪ All immunogens are antigens. TRUE OR FALSE reject grafts & transplants.
4. T-delayed type hypersensitivity (Tdth)- involved in
Antibodies some delayed allergic reactions
• Are substances produced in response to antigenic
stimulation. HUMORAL IMMUNITY/B-CELLS
• They are also known as IMMUNOGLOBULINS. B-CELLS → PLASMA CELLS → ANTIBODY PRODUCTION
• They are made up of proteins known as gamma globulins
and are produced in immune responses thus the term B-Cell Response
immunoglobulins. 1. Primary response (FIRST Encounter with the Antigen)
• They are very specific and combine only with antigen (short-lived immunity) IgM
against which they are produced.
2. Secondary Response (SECOND Encounter with the
Classes of Antibodies Antigen) (long-lived immunity) IgG
1. IgG
• monomer comprising 80% of Immunoglobulins,
• The only antibody capable of crossing the placenta.
• Produced in high amounts during secondary response.
2. IgA
• dimer comprising 15% of Immunoglobulins,
• They are predominantly found in body secretions (saliva,
eyes, colostrums etc.).
• Protects mucous membranes and internal cavities from
infection
3. IgM
• pentamer comprising 5-10% of Immunoglobulins,
• Predominant antibody in primary response Naturally Acquired Immunity
• Primarily destroys Gram (-) bacteria 1. Naturally Acquired Active
4. IgD • there is natural entry of antigen & human body reacts.
• monomer • the body is exposed to the causative agent (antigen)
• controls antigen stimulation of B cells • Example: Actual exposure to M. tuberculosis)
• found in blood and on lymphocytes 2. Naturally Acquired Passive
5. IgE • no entry of the antigen
• monomer • ANTIBODY is produced outside
• causes allergies, drug sensitivity, anaphylaxis & a. placental transfer
hypersensitivity reactions b. colostrum
• combats parasitic diseases Artificially Acquired Immunity
3. Artificially Acquired Active
Immunity – the condition of being immune or resistant to a • The host is injected with the ANTIGEN then the body
particular disease usually as a result of the presence of protective stimulates antibody production.
antibodies that are directed against the etiologic agent (antigen) • The best example is the administration of vaccine.
of that disease. • The vaccine contains the attenuated /weakened
causative agent then the body will produce antibody
Immune response – the third line of defense against it.
1. Cellular-Mediated Immunity • BCG vaccine for example
2. Humoral Immunity 4. Artificially Acquired Passive
• administer ANTIBODY in the form of immune serum
Lymphocytes – cells that are responsible for immune globulin
responses. • Best example is immunization
• Usually administered after accidental exposure to
Types of Lymphocytes antigen
1. T lymphocytes/T-cells (70% of the total) – differentiate & • Anti-tetanus; anti-rabies
mature in Thymus gland. They are responsible for cell-
mediated immunity.
2. B lymphocytes/ B-cells (5-10%) – differentiate & mature
in red Bone marrow. They are responsible for humoral
immunity.