IMMUNITY
Definition:
Immunity is defined as the ability of an organism to resist harmful microorganisms or viruses through
specific or nonspecific defense mechanisms. It is an essential biological function that protects the
body from potentially harmful foreign substances or pathogens.
Types of Immunity
1. Innate Immunity (Natural or Non-Specific Immunity)
Innate immunity is the first line of defense and is present from birth. It does not require previous
exposure to the pathogen and provides a general defense mechanism.
Characteristics:
- Non-specific defense mechanism
- Immediate response
- No immunological memory
- Present from birth
Components of Innate Immunity:
a. Physical Barriers: Skin, mucous membranes, and secretions like tears and saliva
b. Chemical Barriers: Stomach acid (HCl), lysozyme in saliva and tears, antimicrobial peptides
c. Cellular Defenses: Phagocytic cells (neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages), dendritic cells,
natural killer (NK) cells
d. Inflammatory Response: Characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain; aims to localize and
eliminate pathogens
e. Complement System: A group of plasma proteins that enhance phagocytosis, lyse pathogens,
and promote inflammation
2. Acquired Immunity (Adaptive or Specific Immunity)
Acquired immunity develops after exposure to antigens and is specific to the particular pathogen. It
involves a slower response initially but has memory, allowing a quicker and stronger response upon
re-exposure.
Characteristics:
- Specific to pathogens
- Involves lymphocytes
- Has immunological memory
- Develops over time
Types of Acquired Immunity:
A. Active Immunity:
- Natural Active Immunity: Acquired through infection and recovery
- Artificial Active Immunity: Acquired through vaccination
B. Passive Immunity:
- Natural Passive Immunity: Transfer of antibodies from mother to child through placenta or breast
milk
- Artificial Passive Immunity: Transfer of antibodies through immunoglobulin injections or antiserum
Major Cells in Acquired Immunity:
1. B lymphocytes (B cells): Responsible for humoral immunity, produce specific antibodies
2. T lymphocytes (T cells): Responsible for cell-mediated immunity
- Helper T cells (CD4+): Activate B cells and other immune cells
- Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+): Kill infected or cancerous cells
- Regulatory T cells: Suppress immune response to prevent autoimmunity
Immune Responses
1. Primary Immune Response:
- Occurs on first exposure to an antigen
- Involves lag period for clonal selection and antibody production
- Mainly produces IgM antibodies
2. Secondary Immune Response:
- Occurs upon subsequent exposure to the same antigen
- Faster and stronger due to memory cells
- Mainly produces IgG antibodies
Mechanisms of Acquired Immunity
1. Humoral Immunity:
- Mediated by antibodies produced by B cells
- Effective against extracellular pathogens like bacteria and viruses
- Antibodies include IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, and IgD
- Functions: Neutralization, agglutination, precipitation, opsonization, complement activation
2. Cell-Mediated Immunity:
- Mediated by T cells
- Effective against intracellular pathogens (e.g., viruses, some bacteria), cancer cells, and transplant
rejection
- Does not involve antibodies
Immune System Organs
1. Primary Lymphoid Organs:
- Bone Marrow: Site of B cell maturation
- Thymus: Site of T cell maturation
2. Secondary Lymphoid Organs:
- Lymph nodes: Filter lymph and activate immune cells
- Spleen: Filters blood and removes old red blood cells
- Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT): Includes tonsils, Peyer's patches, appendix
Disorders of the Immune System
1. Hypersensitivity Reactions:
- Overreaction of the immune system to non-harmful antigens (allergens)
- Types I-IV hypersensitivities (e.g., anaphylaxis, contact dermatitis)
2. Autoimmune Diseases:
- Immune system attacks self-tissues
- Examples: Rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, type 1 diabetes
3. Immunodeficiency:
- Failure or deficiency in one or more components of the immune system
- Primary (e.g., SCID) or secondary (e.g., AIDS caused by HIV)
4. Transplant Rejection:
- Immune system recognizes transplanted organ as foreign
- Prevented by immunosuppressive drugs
Vaccination and Immunization
Vaccination involves the administration of antigenic material to stimulate an individual's immune
system to develop adaptive immunity to a pathogen. Immunization can be active or passive and is
one of the most effective ways to prevent infectious diseases.
Examples:
- Live attenuated vaccines (e.g., MMR)
- Inactivated vaccines (e.g., polio - IPV)
- Subunit vaccines (e.g., Hepatitis B)
- Toxoid vaccines (e.g., Tetanus)
Conclusion
The immune system plays a fundamental role in maintaining health by protecting the body from
infections and malignancies. A deep understanding of the immune mechanisms is crucial for
medical advancements in vaccines, immunotherapies, and treatments of immune-related disorders.
