Lab.

1 Practical Immunology 2nd stage

M.Safin +M.Shukur Pathological Analysis Dept.
Paitaxt Technical Private Institute

Fluid Systems of the Body

There are two main fluid systems in the body: blood and lymph. The blood and
lymph systems are intertwined throughout the body and they are responsible for
transporting the agents of the immune system.

The Blood System

Blood is composed of liquid plasma and cells. The plasma is mostly water (91.5%)
and acts as a solvent for transporting other materials (7% protein [consisting of
albumins (54%), globulins (38%), and fibrinogen (7%). Blood is slightly alkaline (pH
= 7.40).
Three types of blood cells: erythrocytes (red blood cells or RBCs), platelet and White
Blood Cells
White Blood Cells (leucocytes):
The leukocytes are further subdivided into granulocytes (containing large granules in
the cytoplasm) and agranulocytes (without granules). The granulocytes consist of
neutrophils (55–70%), eosinophils (1–3%), and basophils (0.5–1.0%). The
agranulocytes are lymphocytes (consisting of B cells and T cells) and monocytes.

T cell subsets

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Immunology
There are two major aspects to our defense system non-specific and specific.
1) Non-specific defense system
a) Barriers:
• Skin (sweat)
• Breathing System (mucus, cilia)
• Digestive System (acid in stomach)
• Tear glands, lysozyme in tears keeps the surface of the eye free of bacterial
infection.
b) Non-specific Protective Cells (Phagocytes and NK cells):
• Phagocytes are white blood cells.
• They ‘feed’ like Amoeba on bacteria, viruses and dead body cells.
• Free phagocytes wander throughout tissues ‘searching’ for ‘foreign invaders’.
• Fixed phagocytes reside in a particular area destroying pathogens that enter their
space.
• NK cells can kill virus infected cells and tumor cells.
2) Specific Defense System
This defense strategy uses very precise unique defensive proteins and cells against a
particular pathogen.
The defense proteins are called antibodies, if the target is a pathogen,

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An antitoxin if the target is a poisonous chemical.
The pathogen is identified as its surface has a chemical that is ‘foreign’ – i.e. a
‘non-self’ chemical.
This non-self chemical is called an antigen.
Antigen: a chemical that causes the immune system to produce specific antibodies.
Antibody: a specific protein produced by the immune system on detection of an
antigen.
Induced Immunity:
This is protection gained by the production of specific antibodies after the antigens
on the pathogen have been detected.
Passive Induced Immunity
(i.e. immunity gained by antibodies made other than in the host)
• Natural: mother’s antibodies passed to the fetus in the umbilical cord and
antibodies supplied in mother’s milk during lactation (colostrums).
• Artificial: injection of specific antibodies against a particular pathogen.
anti-tetanus and anti-hepatitis B treatment.
Passive induced immunity is short-lived.

Active Induced Immunity (i.e. immunity gained following infection)

• The patient produces the antibodies in response to antigen detection by phagocytes
• Natural: normal infection.
• Artificial: vaccination
• Active induced immunity is long-term protection because of the long life of
memory B cells.

Vaccination
A vaccine is specially prepared material that carries the antigen and is given to
induce active immunity against a specific pathogen.
Suitable vaccines may cause some discomfort but give faster and greater antibody
production against infection such that no symptoms occur when subsequently
infected.

Immunization
Immunization is the protection against disease by vaccination or administration of
antibodies.

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