Chapter 50

Assessment of Immune
Function

Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Question
Is the following statement True or False?
Immunity refers to the bodys nonspecific protective
response to an invading foreign agent or organism.

Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Answer
False
Immunity refers to the bodys specific, not nonspecific,
protective response to an invading foreign agent or
organism.

Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

The Immune System

Immunity: the bodys specific protective response to
invading foreign agent or organism
Immunopathology: the study of diseases that result from
dysfunction the immune system
Immune disorders
Autoimmunity
Hypersensitivity

Gammopathies
Immune deficiencies: primary and secondary
Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Central and Peripheral Lymphoid Organs

Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Development of Cells of the Immune

System

Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Lymphocytes: B lymphocytes mature in

the bone marrow; T lymphocytes mature
in the thymus, where they also
differentiate into cells with various
functions

Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Immune Function
Natural immunity: nonspecific response to any foreign
invader
White blood cell action: release cell mediators such
as histamine, bradykinin, and prostaglandins, and
engulf (phagocytize) foreign substances
Inflammatory response
Physical barriers, such as intact skin, chemical
barriers, and acidic gastric secretions or enzymes in
tars and saliva
Acquired immunity: specific against a foreign antigen
Result of prior exposure to an antigen
Active or passive
Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Stages of Immune Response

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Defenses
Phagocytic immune response
Humoral or antibody response
Cellular immune response

Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Question
Which leukocytes arrive at the inflammation site?
A. Basophils
B. Eosinophils
C. Monocytes
D. Neutrophils

Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Answer
D
Neutrophils arrive first at a site where inflammation occurs.

Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Role of Antibodies
Agglutination of antigens
Opsonization
Promote release of vasoactive substances; activation of
complement system and phagocytosis
Act in concert with other components of the immune
system
Types of immunoglobulins: IgA, IgD, IgE,IgG, and IgM

Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Antigen-Antibody Binding

Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Cellular Immune Response

B lymphocytes: humoral immunity
Produce antibodies or immunoglobulins
T lymphocytes: cellar immunity
Attack invaders directly, secrete cytokines, and
stimulate immune system responses
Helper T cells
Cytotoxic T cells
Memory cells
Suppressor T cells (suppress immune response)
Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Non-T and Non-B Lymphocytes Involved

in Immune Response
Null cells
Destroy antigen coated with antibody
Natural killer cells
Defend against microorganisms and some malignant
cells

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Complement Mediated Immune Responses

Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Variables That Effect Immune System

Function
Age and gender
Nutrition
Presence of conditions or disorders: cancer/neoplasm, chronic illness,
autoimmune disorders, surgery/trauma
Allergies
History of infection or immunization
Genetic factors

Lifestyle
Medications and transfusions
Pyschoneuroimmunologic factors

Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Tests to Evaluate Immune Function

WBC count and differential
Bone marrow biopsy
Humoral and cellular immunity tests
Phagocytic cell function test
Complement component tests
Hypersensitivity tests
Specific antigen-antibody tests
HIV infection tests
Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Question
Is the following statement True or False?
Autoimmune disorders are more common in females than
males.

Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Answer
True
Autoimmune disorders are more common in females than
males.

Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins