Types of immunity Immunity is defined as the capacity of the body to resist pathogenic agents.

It is the ability of body to resist the entry of different types of foreign bodies like bacteria, virus, toxic substances, etc. Nonspecific (innate) immunity -preexisiting nonspecific defenses constitue the innate immune response (inborn capacity of the body to resist pathogens). By chance, if the organisms enter the body, innate immunity eliminates them before the development of any diseases. In all living organisms, the innate immunity represents the first line of defense against microbial aggression. Therefore, it is called natural or non- specific immunity. - It consists of 1. physical barriers (e.g., the skin and mucous membranes) that prevent foreign organisms from invading the tissues 2. Chemical defenses (e.g., low pH) that destroy many invading microorganisms 3. Various secretory substances (e.g., thiocyanate in saliva, lysozymes, interferons, fibronectin, and complement in serum) that neutralize foreign cells, and 4. Phagocytic cells (e.g., macrophages, neutrophils, & monocytes) and natural killer (NK cells) Structures & mediators Gastrointestinal tract Mechanism Enzymes in digestive juices and the acid in stomach destroy the toxic substances or organisms entering digestive tract through food Lysozyme present in saliva destroys bacteria Respiratory system Defensins & cathelicidins in epithelial cells of air passage are antimicrobial peptides Neutrophils, lymphocytes, macrophages & natural killer cells present in lungs act against

bacteria and virus Urinogenital system Acidity in urine & vaginal fluid destroy the bacteria Skin The keratinized stratum corneum of epidermis protects the skin against toxic chemicals The Beta- defensins in skin are antimicrobial peptides Lysozyme secreted in skin destroys bacteria Phagocytic cells Neutrophils, monocytes & macrophages ingest & destroy the microorganisms & foreign bodies by phagocytosis Interferons Inhibit multiplication of viruses, parasites and cancer cells Complement proteins Accelerate the destruction of microorganisms

Specific (adaptive) immunity If nonspecific defenses fail, the immune system provides specific, or adaptive, defenses that target specific invaders. The initial contact with a specific antigen or foreign agent initiates a chain of reactions that involve effector cells of the immune system and frequently leads to a state of immune memory. It is the resistance developed in the body against any specific foreign body like bacteria, viruses, toxins, vaccines or transplanted tissues. So this type of immunity is also known as acquired immunity. It is the most powerful immune mechanism that protects the body from the invading organisms or toxic substances. Lymphocytes are responsible for acquired immunity. Adaptive immunity induces acquired resistance against microbial aggression through random somatic rearrangements of genes that encode immunoglobulin and specific receptors on T lymphocytes (i.e., T-cell receptors or TCRs). During adaptive immunity responses, specific B and T lymphocytes become activated to destroy invading organisms.

Two types of specific defenses have been identified: Humoral response results in the production of proteins called antibodies that mark invaders for destruction by other immune cells, and the cellular immune response targets transformed and virus- infected cells for destruction by specific killer cells. Therefore, shortly after invasion by bacteria or other pathogenic agents, the immune system becomes activated (inflammatory response) to destroy infectious agents and generate long term memory against pathogens.

The two categories are: 1. T lymphocytes or T cells, which are responsible for the development of cellular immunity Processed in thymus. Occurs mostly during the period between just before birth & few months after birth 2. B lymphocytes or B cells, which are responsible for humoral immunity Takes place in liver (during fetal life) bone marrow (after birth)

Schematic Diagram showing development of immunity

Immunity

Innate immunity

Acquired immunity

Naturally present in the body by birth

Develops against invading organism

Destruction of invading organisms by antigen- presenting cells

Release of antigen

Presentation of antigen to
T lymphocyte B lymphocyte

Development of cellmediated immunity

Development of humoral immunity

Activation of helper T cells

Activation of B cells

Formation of plasma cells Activation of cytotoxic T cells Production of antibodies Destruction of invading organism by direct attack

Destruction of invading organism by antibodies

Immunity

Adaptive

Innate

Natural

Artificial

Passive (maternal)

Active (Infection)

Passive (antibody transfer)

Active (Immunization)

Active a.Natural- exposed to antigen by having the disease ex. Chicken pox b.Artificial- immunization with antigen; develop slowly; protective levels reached in a few weeks; several years; extended protection with booster doses Ex. Vaccines, toxoids Passivea.Natural transplacental and colostrums transfer from mother to child; immediate; temporary; several months ex. Breastfeeding b.Artificial- ready-made antibodies; immediate; temporary; several weeks ex. HTIG

REFERENCE Sembulingam, K. & Sembulingam, P. (2012). Essential of Medical Physiology. 9th edition. JP Medical Ltd. Page 109- 113 Ross, M.H. & Pawlina, W. (2011). Histology A Text and Atlas With Correlated Cell and Molecular Biology. 6th ed. Wolters Kluwer: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Page 440- 460