IMMUNITY

I mmunity is a biological term that describes a state of having sufficient biological defenses to avoid infection, disease, or other unwanted biological invasion. Immunity involves both specific and non-specific components. The non-specific components act either as barriers or as eliminators of wide range of pathogens irrespective of antigenic specificity. Other components of the immune system adapt themselves to each new disease encountered and are able to generate pathogen-specific immunity.

IMMUNE RESPONSE The immune response is how the body recognizes and defends itself against bacteria, viruses, and substances that appear foreign and harmful to the body. The immune system protects the body from potentially harmful substances by recognizing and responding to antigens. Antigens are molecules (usually proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, or bacteria. Nonliving substances such as toxins, chemicals, drugs, and foreign particles (such as a splinter) can be antigens. The immune system recognizes and destroys substances that contain these antigens. Even ones own body cells have proteins that are antigens. These include a group of antigens called HLA antigens. The immune system learns to see these antigens as normal and does not usually react against them.

INNATE IMMUNITY It is present from the birth and is inherited from the mother to offspring through the placenta.

It provides resistance through several physical, chemical, and cellular approaches.

It protects against all antigens. Innate immunity involves barriers that keep harmful materials from entering the body. These barriers form the first line of defense in the immune response. Examples of anatomical innate immunity include:

Cough reflex Enzymes in tears and skin oils Mucus, which traps bacteria and small particles Skin Stomach acid

Innate immunity also comes in a protein chemical form, called innate humoral immunity. Examples include: the body's complement system and substances called interferon and interleukin-1 (which causes fever). If an antigen gets past these barriers, it is attacked and destroyed by other parts of the immune system.

Acquired or Adaptive immunity It is not present from the birth but is acquired during ones own life. It is developed by the organism in response to a disease caused by the infection of microbes or vaccine. In this, the protective lymphocytes of body produce antibodies which not only inactivate the antigens and relieve from an infectious disease but also provide immunity against further attack. It is so as some antibody producing cells persist as memory cells for long period and produce antibodies immediately after second infection to counter

it. The acquired immunity so developed may be temporary (e.g., influenza) or permanent (e.g., measles, mumps, polio, smallpox) for life long.

Acquired immunity is of two types : a. Active or Natural immunity. It is a long lasting immunity developed by antibodies produced by an individuals own cells. It is developed in three ways > By having the disease e.g., chickenpox, mumps, measles etc. > By having a subclinical infection e.g. live Sabin vaccine (against polio). > By having killed micro-organisms or detoxified toxins e.g., killed Salk vaccine (against polio), tetanus toxoid (against tetanus). b. Passive or Artificial immunity. In this, the ready-made antibodies (gamma-globulins) obtained from human or animal serum, who already had recovered from an infectious disease, are injected into the human body to develop immunity. It is used against the measles, infectious hepatitis, rubeolla, mumps, diphtheria, tetanus, snake venom, scarlet fever, rabies and salmonella bacterial infection. Human gamma-globulins are used for the treatment of tetanus and in the prevention of infectious hepatitis. In this, the inoculated antibodies act as antitoxins and neutralize the bacterial toxins or snake venom. It is used either prophylactically or therapeutically.

IgG is selectively transported through the placenta to provide passive immunity to the developing fetus. Nursing mothers also transfer some antibodies to infants through the colostrum (milk) which provide temporary immunity. This benefit is not provided to bottle-fed infants. Though passive immunity provides immediate relief but it suffers from some problems: not long lasting (maximum for 3 months), antibodies may cause reaction and body may produce antibodies to destroy these useful foreign antibodies.

BLOOD COMPONENTS The immune system includes certain types of white blood cells. It also includes chemicals and proteins in the blood, such as antibodies, complement proteins, and interferon. Some of these directly attack foreign substances in the body, and others work together to help the immune system cells. Lymphocytes are white blood cells, which includes B cells and T cells.

B cells produce antibodies. Antibodies attach to a specific antigen and make it easier for the immune cells to destroy the antigen. T cells attack antigens directly and help control of the immune response. They also release chemicals, known as interleukins, which control the entire immune response.

As lymphocytes develop, they normally learn to tell the difference between your own body tissues and substances that are not normally found in your body. Once B cells and T cells are formed, a few of those cells will multiply and provide "memory" for the immune system. This allows the immune system to respond faster and more efficiently the next time you are exposed to the same antigen, and in many cases will prevent you from getting sick. For example, an individual who has had chickenpox or has been immunized against chickenpox is immune from getting chickenpox again. Immune response INFLAMMATION The inflammatory response (inflammation) occurs when tissues are injured by bacteria, trauma, toxins, heat, or any other cause. The damaged tissue releases chemicals including histamine, bradykinin, and serotonin. These chemicals cause blood vessels to leak fluid into the tissues, causing swelling. This helps isolate the foreign substance from further contact with body tissues.

The chemicals also attract white blood cells called phagocytes that "eat" microorganisms and dead or damaged cells. This process is called phagocytosis. Phagocytes eventually die. Pus is formed from a collection of dead tissue, dead bacteria, and live and dead phagocytes.

Phagocytosis IMMUNE SYSTEM DISORDERS AND ALLERGIES Immune system disorders occur when the immune response is inappropriate, excessive, or lacking. Allergies involve an immune response to a substance that, in the majority of people, the body perceives as harmless. IMMUNIZATION Vaccination (immunization) is a way to trigger the immune response. Small doses of an antigen, such as dead or weakened live viruses, are given to activate immune system "memory" (activated B cells and sensitized T cells). Memory allows your body to react quickly and efficiently to future exposures. COMPLICATIONS DUE TO AN ALTERED IMMUNE RESPONSE An efficient immune response protects against many diseases and disorders. An inefficient immune response allows diseases to develop. Inadequate, inappropriate, or excessive immune response causes immune system disorders. Complications related to altered immune responses include:

Allergy or hypersensitivity Anaphylaxis Autoimmune disorders Blood transfusion reaction Disease development Graft versus host disease Immunodeficiency disorders

Serum sickness Transplant rejection