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Chapter 5

IMMUNOLOGY
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Other Parts of
Immunity
Chapter 5: IMMUNOLOGY

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• The human body is designed to

protect its borders. The nonspecific
defenses of the interface between
the body and the outside world
include saliva in the mouth,
enzymes in the digestive tract, acid
in the stomach, and the blanket of
moving mucous that clears invaders
from the lungs.
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• If a pathogen makes it through the

barriers, including the skin, the
epithelium of the lungs and the
epithelium of the gastrointestinal
tract, the body is capable of an
immediate, nonspecific response.
Bacteria and dying cells release
pyrogens, resulting in a fever. The
higher temperature depletes the
blood of iron. 4 4
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• Iron is essential for the rapid growth of

bacteria. Infected cells release histamine
and prostaglandins. These chemicals
initiate a nonspecific inflammatory
response by causing local blood vessels to
dilate and by increasing the permeability of
local capillaries. The inflammatory
response, once initiated, creates an
environment locally hostile to all life-forms.

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• Bacteria endotoxins, a general name for

chemicals that are toxic to bacteria, and
interleukin-1, which attracts lymphocytes,
are released by macrophages after they
encounter an invading microbe. Additional
cells are attracted to the site, including
monocytes that develop into additional
macrophages, and other leukocytes that
contain highly toxic chemicals, especially
neutrophils.

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 • Thetoarrival
Click of antibodies
edit Master title styleagainst specific antigens at
the site increases the intensity of the fight. The blood
contains a complex of about 20 different blood
serum proteins, known as the complement system.
Antibodies contain complement receptors on the
stalk or Fc component. The complement proteins are
proteolytic enzymes that don’t work unless they have
a piece chopped off. The first enzyme is activated by
binding to the antibody receptor and chops off the
inhibiting part of the second enzyme, which chops off
the next, etc. The system grows with each step.

Other Parts of Immunity: The Complement System 7 7

 The
Click to edit Master title •style activated complement
proteins aggregate and form a
membrane attack complex.
This complex inserts itself into
the membrane of the foreign
microorganism and forms a
pore. The activated
complement proteins also
attract additional
macrophages to the site of
infection.

Other Parts of Immunity: The Complement System 8 8

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Peptides displayed
T-cell sees antigen
APC on MPC cell surface

No response NO
MHC receptor bind to
T-cell CD4 receptor?
Antigen present on
NO immature dendritic YES
cells?

Interleukins secreted
No response to activate B-
YES
lymphocytes and cell-
mediated response

Figure 5-9: Flowchart of the process of immune response to proteinaceous antigens

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 • Other
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system include cells that patrol the tissues looking
for abnormal cells. Natural killer cells (NKCs) are like
soldiers responsible for eliminating cells infected
with viruses or potentially dangerous transformed
cells.
• NKC respond to chemicals secreted by infected
or abnormal cells and by activation by
dendritic cells as described earlier. These cells
are bind to the surface of the target and create
lethal pores within the membrane. The
nonspecific defenses against viruses include a
class of proteins called interferons.

Other Parts of Immunity: Natural Killer Cells 10 10