Immune System

Chapter 14
Immunity the ability to resist infection and
disease
Humans have two major types of defense
mechanisms:
Innate (Non-specific) immunity
Adaptive (Specific) immunity
Innate (Non-specific) immunity
defense responses that do not distinguish
between one threat and another
are present at birth
include: physical barriers (e.g. skin), phagocytic
cells (neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages,
eosinophils), chemicals (complement system),
inflammation, fevers, etc.
provides body with non-specific resistance
Adaptive (Specific) immunity
protection against specifically identified threats
(i.e. may defend against one particular bacterial
infection but not a different one)
most develop after birth upon exposure to an
antigen (Ag); an antigen can be a pathogen
(disease-causing organism), foreign protein (e.g.
toxin), abnormal or infected body cell, foreign
tissue transplant
usually produce a state of long-term protection
known as specific resistance or acquired
immunity
Adaptive (Specific) immunity
depends on coordinated activity of T & B
lymphocytes
T cells- involved in cell-mediated (aka cellular)
immunity; defense against abnormal cells &
intracellular pathogens
B cells- involved in antibody-mediated (aka
humoral) immunity; defense against pathogens
(Ags) in body fluids (blood/lymph)
Adaptive (Specific) immunity
arises throughout life by active or passive means
Active immunity development of resistance (i.e.
antibody (Ab) production) to specific disease
secondary to exposure to specific Ag (pathogen)
naturally acquired active immunity natural exposure
results in immune response & development of long term
immunity
induced (artificial) active immunity deliberate artificial
exposure to Ag (i.e. vaccine/immunization)
Passive immunity development of immunity due to
transfer of pre-made antibodies
naturally acquired passive immunity antibodies
transferred from mom baby across placenta or in breast-
milk
induced (artificial) passive immunity administration of
antibodies to fight disease after exposure to pathogen
Properties of Specific (Adaptive)
Immunity
Immunity has four general properties:
Specificity

Versatility

Memory

Tolerance
Properties of Immunity
Specificity T & B cells have specific receptors that will
allow them to only recognize & target a specific Ag; this
process is known as antigen recognition
Versatility millions of different lymphocyte populations,
each with specific Ag recognizing receptors; allows for
anticipation of potential Ags
Memory after initial exposure, long term acquired
immunity occurs through the production of memory cells;
secondary exposure results in stronger faster response to
previously recognized Ag
Tolerance immune cells recognize self-antigens &
tolerate (ignore) them, only going after foreign (non-self)
Ags
Overview of the immune response
The purpose of the immune response is to inactivate or
destroy pathogens, abnormal cells & foreign molecules (such
as toxins)
In order for the response to occur, lymphocytes must be
activated by the process of antigen recognition
T cells are usually activated first, & then B cells. T cells mainly
rely on activation by phagocytic cells collectively known as
antigen presenting cells (APCs) (ie. Macrophages, dendritic
cells)
Once activated, T cells both attack the invader, & stimulate
the activation of B cells
Activated B cells mature into plasma cells which produce
specific antibodies designed to destroy the particular antigen.
Cell Mediated (a.k.a. Cellular) Immunity
In
order for T cells to respond, they must first be activated by
exposure to an antigen
antigen is bound to membrane receptors of phagocytic antigen
presenting cells (APCs) (antigen recognition)
These membrane receptors on cells are called MHC proteins
(major histocompatibility complex proteins), & are genetically
determined (i.e. differ among individuals)
Antigens bound to MHC proteins tell the T lymphocyte what the
specific foreign invader is (i.e. a specific bacteria) so that the
lymphocytes can mount a cellular defense
Cell Mediated (a.k.a. Cellular) Immunity
Once a T cell is activated by the presentation of the
combined MHC/Ag, it will clone (by mitosis) &
differentiate into:
cytotoxic T cells
helper T cells
memory T cells
suppressor T cells
Cell Mediated (a.k.a. Cellular) Immunity
cytotoxic T cells (aka CD8 cells) - seek out the specific
pathogen/infected cell that contains the targeted Ag &
destroys it by secreting various chemicals
helper T cells (aka CD4 cells) necessary for
coordination of specific (adaptive) & non-specific (innate)
defenses, as well as for stimulating both cell-mediated &
antibody-mediated immunity.
In cell-mediated immunity they release chemicals
(cytokines) that strengthen the activity of cytotoxic T
cells.
In antibody-mediated immunity they release
cytokines that stimulate activated B cell division &
differentiation into plasma cells
Cell Mediated (a.k.a. Cellular) Immunity
memory T cells remain in reserve so if same Ag
appears, these cells can immediately differentiate into
cytotoxic & helper T cells, causing a swift secondary
response to the invasion
suppressor T cells activated more slowly than the other T
cells; inhibit the response of the immune cells to prevent
potential autoimmune response
 Activated T cells clone &
differentiate into:
Direct physical &
Cytotoxic T cellsstimulate
Helper T cells B cell
activatio
chemical attack
Memory T cells n

Suppressor T cells
Prevent
autoimmu
Antigens Remain in
ne
response
reserve
CELL MEDIATED IMMUNITY
bacteria
ANTIGENS
SPECIFIC APCs phagocytize Ag & activate T
viruses DEFENSES cells
bacteria
(Immune
response)

viruses
Antibody Mediated (Humoral) Immunity
The body has millions of different B
cell populations, each B cell has its
own particular antibody (Ab) molecule
(transmembrane protein) within its cell
membrane
When the corresponding Ag invades
the interstitial fluid surrounding the B
cell, the Ag binds to the Ab molecule, &
is taken into the cell, eventually being
displayed on the B cells MHC protein.
The B cell is now sensitized
Antibody Mediated (Humoral) Immunity

Helper T cells (that had been

previously activated to the same
Ag) then attach to the sensitized B
cells & activate them by secreting
chemicals (cytokines)
Cytokine secretion results in B
cell cloning & differentiation into
plasma cells & memory cells
Antibody Mediated (Humoral) Immunity
Plasma cells produce millions of
copies of antibodies which are
released into the blood & lymph
Antibodies seek out & bind to the
Ag forming an Ab-Ag complex,
eventually leading to the elimination
of the antigen by various means
Memory cells remain in reserve to
respond to any subsequent
exposure by the same Ag. Upon
secondary exposure, memory B
cells quickly differentiate into Ab
producing plasma cells
http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/489/501088/CDA46_2/CDA4
6_2a/CDA46_2a.htm
Antibody Mediated (Humoral) Immunity
Summary
of
Defense
and
Immune
Response
s