Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Definitions
The immune
system
Components:
1. Mechanical factors
The epithelial surfaces form a physical barrier that is very
impermeable to most infectious agents.
The skin acts as our first line of defense against invading
organisms. The desquamation of skin epithelium also helps
remove bacteria and other infectious agents that have adhered
to the epithelial surfaces.
Movement due to cilia or peristalsis helps to keep air passages
and the gastrointestinal tract free from microorganisms.
The flushing action of tears and saliva helps prevent infection of
the eyes and mouth.
The trapping effect of mucus that lines the respiratory and
gastrointestinal tract helps protect the lungs and digestive
systems from infection.
2. Chemical factors
Complement activation
Complement activation
Immune Cells
Phagocytes:
Neutrophyles bacteria
Eosinophyles enzymes that kills parasites
Macrophages - "big eaters"
Non phagocytic leukocytes:
Basophiles role in allergic response
Mastocytes
Natural killer lymphocytes antiviral and anti-tumor activity
Macrophages have important functions in both innate and antigenspecific immune responses.
As phagocytic cells with antigen nonspecific activity, they help to
contain infectious agents until specific immunity can be marshaled.
In addition, early in the host response, the macrophage functions as
an accessory cell to ensure amplification of the inflammatory
response and initiation of specific immunity.
Macrophages are activated by the presence of antigen to engulf and
digest foreign particles.
Activated macrophages act as antigen presenting cells (APCs)
that break down complex antigens into peptide fragments that can
associate with class I or II Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)
molecules. Macrophages can then present these complexes to the
helper T cell so that nonself-self recognition and activation of the
immune response can occur.
NK cells
The NK cell is a nonspecific effector cell that can kill tumor cells and
virus-infected cells.
They are called natural killer cells because, unlike T cytotoxic cells,
they do not need to recognize a specific antigen before being
activated.
NK cells kill after contact with a target cell. The NK cell is
programmed automatically to kill foreign cells.
Programmed killing is inhibited if the NK cell membrane molecules
contact MHC self-molecules on normal host cells.
The mechanism of NK cytotoxicity depends on production of poreforming proteins (i.e., NK perforins), enzymes, and toxic cytokines.
Specific Immunity
Components:
Lymphocytes are key players in the specific or acquired immune
response:
Lymphocytes represent 20% to 40% of blood leukocytes;
T lymphocytes (also called T cells), which participate in cell-mediated
immunity (60-70%);
B lymphocytes (also called B cells), which participate in humoral
immunity (10-20%);
T cells
Immune Cells
Types of T cells
Helper T (CD4) cells help other immune cells. Some helper T cells help B
cells produce antibodies against foreign antigens. Others help activate killer
T cells to kill foreign or abnormal cells or help activate macrophages
enabling them to ingest foreign or abnormal cells more efficiently.
The Th1 response is characterized by the production of interferon gamma, which activates the bactericidal activities of macrophages, and
induces B-cells to make opsonizing (coating) antibodies, and leads to
cell mediated immunity.
The Th2 response is characterized by the release of interleukin 4, which
results in the activation of B-cells to make neutralizing (killing)
antibodies, leading to humoral immunity.
Generally, Th1 responses are more effective against intracellular
pathogens (viruses and bacteria that are inside host cells), while Th2
responses are more effective against extracellular bacteria, parasites
and toxins.
Types of T cells
Th1 cells:
secrete IL-2, IL-12, IFN gamma, TNF-beta;
activate macrophages, amplifying their cytokine secretion
capacity and potential for presentation of antigens;
activate synthesis of IgG but not IgE;
are involved in delayed hypersensitivity reactions;
are activated by signals from intracellular bacteria and viruses;
Th2 cells:
secrete IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10;
activate the synthesis of IgE;
stimulate proliferation and activation of eosinophils;
are stimulated by allergens or parasite components.
Types of T cells
Sometimes T cellsfor reasons that are not completely understood do not distinguish self from nonself. This malfunction can result in an
autoimmune disorder, in which the body attacks its own tissues.
Types of T cells
B cells
B cells are formed in the bone marrow. B cells have particular sites
(receptors) on their surface where antigens can attach.
B cells are the major cells involved in the creation of antibodies that
circulate in blood plasma and lymph, known as humoral immunity.
In mammals there are five types of antibody IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and
IgM, differing in biological properties.
Each has evolved to handle different kinds of antigens.
Upon activation, B cells produce antibodies, each of which
recognizes a unique antigen, and neutralize specific pathogens.
B cells
B cells
Antigens
Antigens
Antigens
Immunoglobulins - structure
Percentage of
Total
Characteristics
Ig G
75%
Ig A
15%
Ig M
10%
Ig D
0.2%
Ig E
0.004%
Passive immunity
Is immunity transferred from one source to another source. (e.g.
An infant receives passive immunity naturally from the transfer of
antibodies from its mother in utero and through a mothers breast
milk.)
Passive immunity also can be artificially provided by the transfer
of antibodies produced by other people or animals.
Some protection against infectious disease can be provided by
the injection of hyperimmune serum, which contains high
concentrations of antibodies for a specific disease, or immune
serum or gamma globulin, which contains a pool of antibodies for
many infectious agents.
Passive immunity produces only short-term protection that lasts
weeks to months.