MLS 021 : Immunology & Serology – Lecture : Notes

Immunology
 study of how bodily mechanisms can 1. Cellular Factors
differentiate between self and non-self 2. Humural Factors
 study of the body’s defense against infection 3. Inflammation
Serology
 study of serum Adaptive or Acquired Immunity
Immunity  not present at birth but is developed during a
 state or condition of being resistant to person’s lifetime.
infection  develop later and consist of activation of
 ability to ward off infections or diseases lymphocytes.
 depends on the antigen that it encounters.
The immune system is composed of the lymphoid
organs: Elements of Acquired Immunity
1. primary lymphoid organs - competent in
mounting an immune response 1. Cellular: B and T lymphocytes
e.g., red bone marrow and the thymus 2. Humoral: antibodies and cytokines

Acute-Phase Reactants
2. secondary lymphoid organs and tissues -
areas where the majority of the immune  protein inflammation markers that is
responses take place increased during inflammation, infection,
e.g., spleen, lymph nodes, and lymphatic injury or trauma by at least 25 percent.
nodules (follicles)
1. C-reactive protein
Peripheral Lymphoid 2. Serum amyloid A
 organs are the sites of lymphocyte activation 3. Alpha1-antitrypsin
4. Fibrinogen
by antigen
5. Haptoglobin
Lymph
6. Ceruloplasmin
 This fluid carries antigen taken up by
7. Complement C3
dendritic cells and macrophages to the
8. Mannose-binding protein
lymph nodes
Cellular Defense Mechanism
 leukocytes are generally subdivided into
granulocytes

Composition of Immune System

Cellular Immunity
 cell-mediated immunity
 T cells
 activation of phagocytes, release of
cytokines and chemokines
Humoral Immunity
 antibody-mediated immunity
 B cells
 secrete antibodies against a specific antigen
Categories of Immune System
1. Natural or Innate Immunity
2. Adaptive or Acquired Immunity

Natural or Innate Immunity

 provide the initial defense against infections.
 present at birth and protects the body during
early stages of infection.
 nonspecific, nonadaptive and prior encounter
to pathogens is not required.

Elements of Innate Immunity

External Defense System
 to protect the body from infectious agents by
structural barriers, secretions and growth of
microorganisms

1. Physical or Anatomical barriers

2. Normal/Resident Flora

Internal Defense System

 cells like WBCs and antibodies are the major
factors of this system