Immune System

Chapter 14

Immunity the ability to resist infection and

disease
Humans have two major types of defense
mechanisms:
Innate (Non-specific) immunity
Adaptive (Specific) immunity

Innate (Non-specific) immunity

defense responses that do not distinguish
between one threat and another

are present at birth

include: physical barriers (e.g. skin), phagocytic

cells (neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages,
eosinophils), chemicals (complement system),
inflammation, fevers, etc.

provides body with non-specific resistance

Adaptive (Specific) immunity

protection against specifically identified threats
(i.e. may defend against one particular bacterial
infection but not a different one)

most develop after birth upon exposure to an

antigen (Ag); an antigen can be a pathogen
(disease-causing organism), foreign protein (e.g.
toxin), abnormal or infected body cell, foreign
tissue transplant

usually produce a state of long-term protection

known as specific resistance or acquired
immunity

Adaptive (Specific) immunity

depends on coordinated activity of T & B
lymphocytes

T cells- involved in cell-mediated (aka cellular)

immunity; defense against abnormal cells &
intracellular pathogens

B cells- involved in antibody-mediated (aka

humoral) immunity; defense against pathogens
(Ags) in body fluids (blood/lymph)

Adaptive (Specific) immunity

arises throughout life by active or passive means

Active immunity development of resistance (i.e.

antibody (Ab) production) to specific disease
secondary to exposure to specific Ag (pathogen)
naturally acquired active immunity natural exposure
results in immune response & development of long term
immunity

induced (artificial) active immunity deliberate artificial

exposure to Ag (i.e. vaccine/immunization)

Passive immunity development of immunity due to

transfer of pre-made antibodies
naturally acquired passive immunity antibodies
transferred from mom baby across placenta or in breastmilk

induced (artificial) passive immunity administration of

antibodies to fight disease after exposure to pathogen

Properties of Specific (Adaptive)

Immunity
Immunity has four general properties:
Specificity
Versatility
Memory
Tolerance

Properties of Immunity
Specificity T & B cells have specific receptors that will
allow them to only recognize & target a specific Ag; this
process is known as antigen recognition

Versatility millions of different lymphocyte populations,

each with specific Ag recognizing receptors; allows for
anticipation of potential Ags

Memory after initial exposure, long term acquired

immunity occurs through the production of memory cells;
secondary exposure results in stronger faster response to
previously recognized Ag

Tolerance immune cells recognize self-antigens &

tolerate (ignore) them, only going after foreign (non-self)
Ags

Overview of the immune response

The purpose of the immune response is to inactivate or
destroy pathogens, abnormal cells & foreign molecules (such
as toxins)

In order for the response to occur, lymphocytes must be

activated by the process of antigen recognition

T cells are usually activated first, & then B cells. T cells mainly
rely on activation by phagocytic cells collectively known as
antigen presenting cells (APCs) (ie. Macrophages, dendritic
cells)

Once activated, T cells both attack the invader, & stimulate

the activation of B cells

Activated B cells mature into plasma cells which produce

specific antibodies designed to destroy the particular antigen.

Cell Mediated (a.k.a. Cellular) Immunity

In order for T cells to respond, they must first be activated by
exposure to an antigen

antigen is bound to membrane receptors of phagocytic antigen

presenting cells (APCs) (antigen recognition)

These membrane receptors on cells are called MHC proteins

(major histocompatibility complex proteins), & are genetically
determined (i.e. differ among individuals)

Antigens bound to MHC proteins tell the T lymphocyte what the

specific foreign invader is (i.e. a specific bacteria) so that the
lymphocytes can mount a cellular defense

Cell Mediated (a.k.a. Cellular) Immunity

Once a T cell is activated by the presentation of the
combined MHC/Ag, it will clone (by mitosis) &
differentiate into:
cytotoxic T cells
helper T cells
memory T cells
suppressor T cells

Cell Mediated (a.k.a. Cellular) Immunity

cytotoxic T cells (aka CD8 cells) - seek out the specific
pathogen/infected cell that contains the targeted Ag &
destroys it by secreting various chemicals
helper T cells (aka CD4 cells) necessary for
coordination of specific (adaptive) & non-specific (innate)
defenses, as well as for stimulating both cell-mediated &
antibody-mediated immunity.
In cell-mediated immunity they release chemicals
(cytokines) that strengthen the activity of cytotoxic T
cells.
In antibody-mediated immunity they release
cytokines that stimulate activated B cell division &
differentiation into plasma cells

Cell Mediated (a.k.a. Cellular) Immunity

memory T cells remain in reserve so if same Ag
appears, these cells can immediately differentiate into
cytotoxic & helper T cells, causing a swift secondary
response to the invasion

suppressor T cells activated more slowly than the other T

cells; inhibit the response of the immune cells to prevent
potential autoimmune response

Activated T cells clone &

differentiate into:
Cytotoxic T cells stimulate
Helper T cells
Memory T cells
Suppressor T cells

Direct physical &

chemical attack

Antigens

Remain in
reserve

B cell
activatio
n

Prevent
autoimmu
ne
response

CELL MEDIATED IMMUNITY

bacteria
ANTIGENS
viruses
bacteria

viruses

SPECIFIC
DEFENSES
(Immune
response)

APCs phagocytize Ag & activate T

cells

Antibody Mediated (Humoral) Immunity

The

body has millions of different B

cell populations, each B cell has its
own particular antibody (Ab) molecule
(transmembrane protein) within its cell
membrane
When the corresponding Ag invades
the interstitial fluid surrounding the B
cell, the Ag binds to the Ab molecule, &
is taken into the cell, eventually being
displayed on the B cells MHC protein.
The B cell is now sensitized

Antibody Mediated (Humoral) Immunity

Helper T cells (that had been
previously activated to the same
Ag) then attach to the sensitized B
cells & activate them by secreting
chemicals (cytokines)
Cytokine secretion results in B
cell cloning & differentiation into
plasma cells & memory cells

Antibody Mediated (Humoral) Immunity

Plasma cells produce millions of
copies of antibodies which are
released into the blood & lymph
Antibodies seek out & bind to the
Ag forming an Ab-Ag complex,
eventually leading to the elimination
of the antigen by various means
Memory cells remain in reserve to
respond to any subsequent
exposure by the same Ag. Upon
secondary exposure, memory B
cells quickly differentiate into Ab
producing plasma cells

http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/489/501088/CDA46_2/CDA4
6_2a/CDA46_2a.htm

Antibody Mediated (Humoral) Immunity

Summary
of
Defense
and
Immune
Response
s