ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

The immune system is a network of cells, tissues*, and organs that work
together to defend the body against attacks by foreign invaders which are
primarily microbes. Microorganisms that cause disease in humans and animals
enter the body at different sites and produce disease symptoms by a variety of
mechanisms. Microbial invasion is initially countered by innate defenses that
preexist in all individuals and begin to act within minutes following encounter with
the infectious agent. It is the immune systems job to keep them out or to seek out
and destroy them. The innate immune system (IIS) is usually sufficient to prevent
the body from being routinely overpowered by these organisms. However, once
they have gained a hold, they require the concerted efforts of both the IIS and the
adaptive immune system (AIS). Table 1 differentiates the Innate with Adaptive
immunity.

Table 1: Innate vs. adaptive immune system

Innate immunity

Adaptive immunity

Immediate response

Slow/delayed response (3-5 days). Takes

time 72-96 hours to generate specific T-cells
and generate antibody.

Lack of memory

Builds memory of prior exposures. Antigen

specific memory cells generate a stronger
and faster response on re-exposure.

Receptors are encoded in the

Receptors are generated based on prior

genome

exposure. T- and B-cells only respond to the

specific antigens presented by the APCs
(see text for details).

Receptors recognize general

Receptors identify very specific sequences,

patterns of pathogens

i.e. epitopes. A large repertoire of receptors

(pathogen-associated

on different clones is able to distinguish

molecular patterns, PAMPs)

between different amino acid sequences.

IIS receptors are pattern

Receptors are B- and T-cell receptors (BCR

recognition receptors (PRRs)

and TCR, respectively).

Born with most of it (innate)

Acquired later in life.

The immune system is composed of 3 pathways which are activated by

different stimulants. These are the complement system which is comprised of small
proteins synthesized by the liver that enhance the strength and activity of an innate
as well as the adaptive immune response.

Upon activation of C3, a cascade of events takes place where each precursor
is cleaved into two parts (C3 C3a and C3b, C4 C4a and C4b and so on) until C9a
and C9b are generated (naming is due to their activation in the sequence).

Studies have shown that phagocytic properties of neutrophils and

macrophages are significantly enhanced in the presence of complement proteins.
Furthermore, chemotaxis by cytokines is upregulated and bacterial killing is
stronger with different proteins of the complement system.
On the other hand, all immune cells begin as immature stem cells in the bone
marrow. They respond to different cytokines and other signals to grow into specific
immune cell types, such as T cells, B cells, or phagocytes. Because stem cells have
not yet committed to a particular future, they are an interesting possibility for
treating some immune system disorders. Researchers currently are investigating if a
persons own stem cells can be used to regenerate damaged immune responses in
autoimmune diseases and immune deficiency diseases. B Lymphocytes B cells and
T cells are the main types of lymphocytes. B cells work chiefly by secreting
substances called antibodies into the bodys fluids. Antibodies ambush antigens
circulating the bloodstream. They are powerless, however, to penetrate cells. The
job of attacking target cellseither cells that have been infected by viruses or cells
that have been distorted by canceris left to T cells or other immune cells.
Components of the immune system communicate with one another by
exchanging chemical messengers called cytokines. These proteins are secreted by
cells and act on other cells to coordinate an appropriate immune response.
Cytokines include a diverse assortment of interleukins, interferons, and growth
factors. Other cytokines chemically attract specific cell types. These so-called
chemokines are released by cells at a site of injury or infection and call other
immune cells to the region to help repair the damage or fight off the invader.
Chemokines often play a key role in inflammation and are a promising target for
new drugs to help regulate immune responses.

References:
Works Cited
(n.d.). Retrieved January 05, 2017, from Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptive_immune_system
Chaudhry, S. (n.d.). Introduction to Immunology. Retrieved January 2017, from
McMAster Pathophysiology Review: http://www.pathophys.org/immunology/
Services, U. D. (2003, September). Retrieved January 2017, from Understanding the
Immune System:
http://www.imgt.org/IMGTeducation/Tutorials/ImmuneSystem/UK/the_immune_syste
m.pdf