Immune System

Our Immune System is essential for our survival.. Without an Immune System, our bodies would be
open to attack from bacteria, viruses, parasites, and more. It is our Immune System that keep us
safe from pathogens and destroy them. It is a network of cells, tissues and organs, which work
together with the body's physical and chemical barriers to defend the body against attacks by
foreign invaders. These are called microbes, which are tiny infection-causing organsim such as
bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. You begin to experience the symptoms of the disease and start
suffering from it, if the pathogens manage to multiply, produce toxins and damage your cells. To
differentiate between foreign substances and your body cells, on the surface of all cells there are
chemical markers (proteins) called antigens. Each antigen has its own unique form. So at this way
your body recognises the antigens on your cells as your own, but other cells with different antigens
cause a immune response. In an immune response, your body will recognise the antigenas foreign
and will attack it.

Three lines of defence:

First Line of defence:

The first line of defence is made up of physical and chemical barriers. These types of barriers are
non-specific, that means that any unrecognised organism is seen as a pathogen.
The physical barriers are the skin, nose and throat. So the skin is a hard outer layer, which generally
prevents the entry of any pathogens. The membrane lining of the nose and throat secretes sticky
mucus to trap microbes and the hairs within the nose filters air containing microbes and dust. The
chemical barriers are the eyes, ears, stomach and sweat. The tears of our eyes have an enzyme in
them that kills some bacteria and the wax which is present in our ears is antimicrobial, so microbes
cannot go through it. The hydrochloric acid in our stomach also kills the bacteria such as the sweat,
which is an acidic liquid.

The second line of defence:

The second line of defence is also a non-specific response. It is an attack on any microbes that have
survived the first line of defence. The first step is an inflammation. The Inflammation happens when
damaged cells and particular white blood cells release alarm chemicals. These make blood vessels
enlarge, so that more blood is coming to the site of the infection, bringing with it more white blood
cells of the immune system. Then, the white blood cells are let out of the blood capillaries and inton
the affected tissue. Now the second step arrives. Here the Lymphocytes stem cells develop to
natural killer cells. With the help of specific proteins, these can punch holes in the pathogens so
that they die. Macrophages engulf those pathogens and digest them with their enzymes. This
process is called phagocytosis.
But the second line of defense cannot deal with every micro-organism, that's why some pathogens
will nearly always survive this attack. It also cannot remember the past infections like the third line
of defense.

The third line of defence:

The third line of defence is engaged if the first and second lines of defence fail. The third line is a
specific response, which depends on the lymphocytes. The two types of the lymphocytes, the B-
cells and T-cells come here to action. Thanks to the Memory B-cells the infection can be fought
easier and faster in the future, as the body already defeated the pathogens and jnows how to it again.
Acquired and Innate Immune System:

The innate immune system is always general, ornonspecific, meaning anything that is identified as
foreign or non-self is a target for the innate immune response. The innate immune system is
activated by the presence of antigens and their chemical properties. Innate means that you are born
with this type of immune system. The innate immune system is made of defenses against infection
that can be activated immediately once a pathogen attacks. The innate immune system is essentially
made up of barriers that aim to keep viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other foreign particles out of
your body or limit their ability to spread and move throughout the body. The first and the second
line of defense a a part of the innate immune system. The macrophages, neutrophils, phagocytes,
mast cells, eosinophils, basophils, Natural killer cells and dendritic cells belong to the innate
immune system.

The acquired immune system, also called adaptive immune system is specific. It is more complex
than the innate immune system. The antigen, a protein which is present on the surface of every cell,
has to be recognised first. Then the Acquired immune system can produce specific antibodies,
which can hold these pathogens, till the phagocytes arrive and digest them. The adaptive immune
response is much slower to respond to threats and infections than the innate immune response,
which is primed and ready to fight at all times.
This immune system also includes a „memory“ which makes future responses against spec ific
antigen more efficient. This system involves T-cells and B-cells, memory cells and antibodies. It
isn't present at the birth like the innate immune system, it develops during the time.

Organs of the Immune System:

Lymph nodes and vessels:

The lymph nodes and vessels (the lymphatic system) is a network which carries nutrients and
wastes throughout the body. The lymphatic system is an important part of the immune system, as
the lymph nodes filter lymph fluid, which traps bacteria, viruses and other foreign substances,
which then are destroyed by special white blood cells.
Bone Marrow:
The bone marrow is a soft tissue, which is made up of red marrow and produces white, red blood
cells and platelets.
Spleen:
The spleen filters the blood by removing old or damaged blood cells and platelets and help
the immune system by destroying bacteria and other foreign substances.
Tonsils:
The tonsils prevent foreign objects from slipping into the lungs. They also produce white blood
cells and antibodies. They are the first line of defense as a part of the immune system.
Thymus:
The Thymus produces progenitor cells which mature into T-cells. The body uses these cells to
destroy infected or cancerous cells. The thymus is the primary donor of cells for the lymphatic
system, much as the bone marrow is the cell donor for the cardiovascular system.

Cells of the immune System:

Phagocytes:
Phagocytes, or Phagocytic cells: Phagocyte means “eating cell”, which describes what role
phagocytes play in the immune response. Phagocytes circulate throughout the body, looking for
potential threats, like bacteria and viruses, to engulf and destroy. You can think of phagocytes as
security guards on patrol.
Macrophages:
Macrophages are efficient phagocytic cells that can leave the circulatory system by moving across
the walls of capillary vessels. The ability to roam outside of the circulatory system is important,
because it allows macrophages to hunt pathogens with less limits. Macrophages can also release
cytokines in order to signal and recruit other cells to an area with pathogens.

Mast cells:
Mast cells are found in mucous membranes and connective tissues, and are important for wound
healing and defense against pathogens via the inflammatory response. When mast cells are
activated, they release cytokines and granules that contain chemical molecules to create an
inflammatory cascade. Mediators, such as histamine, cause blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood
flow and cell trafficking to the area of infection. The cytokines released during this process act as a
messenger service, alerting other immune cells, like neutrophils and macrophages, to make their
way to the area of infection, or to be on alert for circulating threats.

Neutrophils:
Neutrophils are phagocytic cells that are also classified as granulocytes because they contain
granules in their cytoplasm. These granules are very toxic to bacteria and fungi, and cause them to
stop proliferating or die on contact. The bone marrow of an average healthy adult makes
approximately 100 billion new neutrophils per day. Neutrophils are typically the first cells to arrive
at the site of an infection because there are so many of them in circulation at any given time.
Neutrophils make up 60% of the immune cells in our blood, so there are plenty of them around to
respond to microbal invaders.

Eosoinophils:
Eosinophils are granulocytes target multicellular parasites. Eosinophils secrete a range of highly
toxic proteins and free radicals that kill bacteria and parasites. The use of toxic proteins and free
radicals also causes tissue damage during allergic reactions, so activation and toxin release by
eosinophils is highly regulated to prevent any unnecessary tissue damage.
While eosinophils only make up 1-6% of the white blood cells, they are found in many locations,
including the thymus, lower gastrointestinal tract, ovaries, uterus, spleen, and lymph nodes.

Basophil:
Basophils are also granulocytes that attack multicellular parasites. Basophils release histamine,
much like mast cells. The use of histamine makes basophils and mast cells key players in mounting
an allergic response.

Natural Killer cells:

Natural Killer cells (NK cells), do not attack pathogens directly. Instead, natural killer cells destroy
infected host cells in order to stop the spread of an infection. Infected or compromised host cells can
signal natural kill cells for destruction through the expression of specific receptors and by
presenting their antigen.

Dendritic cells:
Dendritic cells are antigen-presenting cells that are located in tissues, and can contact external
environments through the skin, the inner mucosal lining of the nose, lungs and stomach. Since
dendritic cells are located in tissues that are common points for initial infection, they can identify
threats and act as messengers for the rest of the immune system by presenting its antigen. Dendritic
cells also act as bridge between the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system.