Unit 6: IMMUNITY CARE

HOW THE IMMUNE SYSTEM WORKS

When a virus infiltrates a cell, for instance, a cell lining our airway, the cell detects it as foreign and
produces citokines (messenger protein) to summon help via phagocytes (a type of white blood cells) and
also help contain the local spread of the virus. The phagocytes try to destroy the intruding virus by literally
eating them up. These First Responders show up within minutes and make up the innate immune system.
They are fast to respond but not precise. The adaptive immune system is highly specialized but much
slower. Dendritic cells collect small fragments of the virus left over from the battles of the innate immune
system and ferry (=to transport = carry) these to our lymph nodes where highly specialized white blood
cells called T-cells are waiting. T-cells are pre-programmed to target a specific invader. When a dendritic
cell carrying a specific type of virus fragment shows up, the relevant T-Cell will divide many times to
produce an army of clones. There are two main types of T-cells. Cytotoxic T-cells recognize and destroy
infected cells that harbor (=to hold= retain= trap) the virus and help boost the immune response by
activating B-cells to produce antibodies. Antibodies are specific proteins that block the structures that
viruses use to latch onto (=to attach) and enter our cells. Antibodies also mop up (= to clean = to suck up)
the viruses that are floating around within our bodies. Although T-cells and B-cells can take several days to
move into action they are incredibly precise and they remember after the virus has been neutralized. Most
specific T-cells and B-cells die off but a small fraction stay alert patrolling the bloodstream and lymph
nodes for repeat attacks. If the same virus attacks our cells again these memory cells spring into action,
activating the power of the adaptive immune system. This memory is the basis of how a childhood
infection or a vaccination can lead to a lifelong protection. (Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KdlU1sQcyc)

T-cells = thymus cell lymphocytes = thymocytes

The immune system is dispersed (= to scatter = to spread) throughout the body to provide rapid responses
to infection with the overall function to prevent or limit (=to contain) infection.

thymus [ ´θaiməs ] = a specialized primary lymphoid organ of the immune system. Within the thymus, T
cells mature. The thymus is located in the upper front part of the chest, behind the sternum, and in front of
the heart. Watch video: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thymus

scarce [ skɛəs ] white cells in the bloodstream = insufficient amount ≠ overabundant = high levels

The skin is usually the first line of defense against microbes. Epithelial cells produce and secrete important
antimicrobial proteins, and immune cells can be found in specific layers of skin.

The Lymphatic system is a network of vessels and tissues composed of lymph, an extracellular fluid, and
lymphoid organs, such as lymph nodes. Immune cells are carried through the lymphatic system and
converge (= to gather = to meet) in lymph nodes, which are found throughout the body.

Peyer's patches [ ´paiə ] = groupings of lymphoid follicles in the mucus membrane of the small intestine.
Lymphoid follicles are small organs in your lymphatic system that are similar to lymph nodes.

spleen = an organ similar in structure to a large lymph node, it acts primarily as a blood filter. It plays very
important roles in regard to red blood cells (erythrocytes) and the immune system. It removes old red
blood cells and holds a reserve of blood, which can be valuable in case of hemorrhagic [ ¸hemə´rædʒik ] shock,
and also recycles iron. A person can survive without it since the liver can take over many of the spleen's
functions.
 All tonsillar structures together are called Waldeyer's ring
([‘woldaiə:]) since they form a ring around the opening to the
throat.

pollen [ ´pɔlin ] Pollen is a common trigger of seasonal allergies. =“hay fever” = seasonal allergic rhinitis

INNATE IMMUNITY vs. ADAPTIVE (ACQUIRED) IMMUNITY

The immune system has two parts. The first is characterized by general, non-specific responses. The non-
specific response is part of the innate immune system. Innate immune responses include sneezing,
coughing and diarrhea. Physical barriers, such as the skin, also contribute to innate immune protection.
The innate immune system also protects us with chemicals such as acids in the stomach and enzymes in
tears. The innate immune response also alerts (= cause to be on guard = warn) the second part of the
immune system - the adaptive immune system. Unlike the innate immune system, the adaptive immune
system responds specifically to an invading virus or bacteria. Antibodies are the primary weapons of the
immune system, since they are specifically designed to combat an invader. The adaptive immune response
consists of B cells and T cells. B cells make antibodies, while T cells show B cells what kinds of antibodies to
make.

THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

The lymphatic system serves as a necessary drainage system because as blood circulates through the
body, blood plasma leaks into tissues through the thin walls of the capillaries. The portion of blood plasma
that escapes is called interstitial or extracellular fluid, and it contains oxygen, glucose, amino acids, and
other nutrients needed by tissue cells. The lymphatic system removes this fluid and these materials from
tissues, returning them via the lymphatic vessels to the bloodstream, and thus prevents a fluid imbalance.

Only a few regions, including the epidermis of the skin, the mucous membranes, the bone marrow, and the
central nervous system, are free of lymphatic capillaries, whereas regions such as the lungs, gut,
genitourinary system, and dermis of the skin are densely packed with these vessels. Once within the
lymphatic system, the extracellular fluid, which is now called lymph, drains into larger vessels called the
lymphatics.

Lymphoid organs. The lymphatic system is composed of:

 Primary lymphoid organs: These organs include the bone marrow and the thymus. They create
special immune system cells called lymphocytes.
 Secondary lymphoid organs: These organs include the lymph nodes, the spleen, the tonsils and cilia
in mucous membranes.

ROLES OF THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

  to manage the fluid levels in the body (fluid balance);
 to react to bacteria;
 to assist in intestinal function by absorbing fats from the intestine; ,
 fighting infections, and removing excess fluid;
 the lymph nodes monitor the lymph flowing into them and produce cells and antibodies;

NB! When the lymphatic system has been damaged by surgery, radiotherapy or tissue damage, a swelling
of a part of the body may occur (most commonly the legs or arms). When this swelling lasts more than
about 3 months it is called lymphoedema. When it’s not functioning well the lymphatic system may have a
role in obesity, Crohn’s disease and other disorders.

HOW THE HUMAN BODY FIGHTS AGAINST MICROBES:

 Through the lungs - mucus in the lungs (phlegm) traps foreign particles, and cilia wave the mucous
upwards so it can be coughed out digestive tract.
 Through the stomach acid - the mucous lining contains antibodies, and the acid in the stomach can
kill most microbes;
 Through body fluids like skin oil, saliva and tears which contain anti-bacterial enzymes that help
reduce the risk of infection;
 Through physical barriers such as eyelashes and other body hair.

to taint = contaminate e.g. tainted meat/ food tainted with bacteria

ACTIVE versus PASSIVE IMMUNITY

Active Immunity results when exposure to a disease triggers the immune system to produce antibodies to
that disease. Active immunity can be acquired through natural immunity or vaccine-induced immunity.
Natural immunity is acquired from exposure to the disease organism through infection with the actual
disease.

Vaccine-induced immunity is acquired through the introduction of a killed or weakened form of the disease
organism through vaccination. Active immunity is long-lasting, and sometimes life-long.

Passive Immunity is provided when a person is given antibodies to a disease rather than producing them
through their own immune system. A newborn baby acquires passive immunity from the mother through
the placenta. People can also get passive immunity through antibody-containing blood products such as
immune globulin, which may be given when immediate protection from a specific disease is needed. The
major advantage to passive immunity is that protection is immediate, whereas active immunity requires
time to develop. However, passive immunity lasts only for a few weeks or months.

Medical errors are the result of negligence /malpractice.

barbiturate [ ba:´bitjureit ] = used as sedatives, hypnotic, and antispasmodic and often addictive

to inoculate [ i´nɔkjuleit ] = to implant (a disease agent or antigen) in a person to produce a disease for
study or to stimulate disease resistance inoculation

to attenuate [ ə´tenju¸eit ] = to weaken live-attenuated vaccine

 to vaccinate, to inoculate, to immunize [ ´imju¸naiz ] ?????

Vaccination is the act of introducing a vaccine into the body

to provide immunity.

Innoculation technically means introducing an infectious

agent into or onto the skin to provide immunization instead
of into tissue via injection.

Immunization is the process in the body of becoming

protected against a disease via vaccination or innoculation.

The skeleton is a metabolically active organ that undergoes continuous remodeling throughout life. Bone
remodeling involves the removal of mineralized bone by osteoclasts followed by the formation of bone
matrix through the osteoblasts that subsequently become mineralized.

range of motion of the joint = scope of motion

more often than not = on most occasions = usually

titer [ ´taitə ] = antibody levels in the blood sample

Homework Assignments:

1. Complete Tasks 2, 3 (Answer the questions), 7, 10

OPEN QUESTIONS:

1. Where do all immune cells come from initially? What organ is the thymus? What is the lymphatic system
composed of? What are the Peyer’s patches? What is Waldeyer’s ring?

2. Describe the body’s immune response to a virus entry.

3. What is the spleen? What are its functions in the human body?

4. Explain the difference between innate and adaptive immunity?

5. What is the lymphatic system? (organs involved, functions, complications)

6. What is the difference between active and passive immunity?

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Listening Comprehension Exercise (Task 18B)

Listen to a patient asking her doctor information about Rheumatoid arthritis. Give a short answers to the
questions below:

1. What is the diagnosis on Rheumatoid arthritis based on? -

2. How is “inflammation” recognized? -

3. What can cause limited range of motion of the joint? –

4. What does an physical examination involve? –

5. Will a positive rheumatoid factor determine the presence of the disease? –

6. What do high antibody levels indicate? –

7. Are blood tests reliable to establish the diagnosis? -