THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Julia Viola, Jane Frank, Jacquie Monteleone, and Alexa Saporito

OVERVIEW Overall Purpose:

Identify foreign pathogens and antigens

Recognize a substance as non-self

Allergic/inflammatory response“Eat” pathogens and REMEMBER them for next time

Innate

SkinMucus membranes

SalivaCiliaUrineTears

PhagocytesInflammation

(non-specific)

Adaptive

LymphocytesAntibodies

(specific)

SKIN Primary physical barrier, part of the innate immune system

Releases enzymes to combat pathogens on the surface (sweat)

Hostile environment for bacteria

MUCUS, CILIA, SALIVA, TEARS, URINE Also part of innate immune system Present physical challenges to prevent

pathogens from entering the body Coughing, sneezing – trap invading

bacteria Stomach acid Lysozomes FEVER

SPECIALIZED CELLS Phagocytes

Specialized in finding and destroying bacteria, viruses, and dead or injured body cells

LymphocytesT cellsB cells

Antibodies

IMMUNE RESPONSE EXAMPLE

BONE MARROW Hematopoiesis – all immune system cells

derived from bone marrow Phagocytes:Granulocytes: first to respond by attacking

and eating invadersMacrophages: slower to respond, start as

monocytes and then turn into macrophages once leaving the bloodstream, activate the immune response

Dendritic Cells: capable of fluid filtration of body

LYMPH SYSTEM Primary Organs

Bone MarrowThymus Gland

Secondary OrgansAdenoidsTonsilsSpleenAppendixLymph Nodes

Lymph Alkaline fluid that flows into lymphatic vessels

Protects tissue and organs Lymph NodesSmall and bean-shapedFilter lymph fluid

LYMPHOCYTES Originate in the bone marrow Migrate to parts of the lymphatic systemLymph nodesSpleen Thymus

Two main types: T cells and B cells Lymph vessels transport and store lymph

T AND B CELLS T cells: Helper T – activate B cells

and killer T cells by dividing and producing certain proteins

Killer T – attack cells that have been infected with the intruder

B cells: plasma cell – produces antibodies

memory cell – prolonged life span which allows them to remember former intruders

ANTIBODIES Find and bind to matching antigens

Neutralize toxins and incapacitate viruses (by preventing them from infecting new cells)

THYMUS Produces mature T cells Releases mature T cells into the bloodstream

SPLEEN/TONSILS Immunologic filter of blood B cells become activated and

produce large amount of antibodies

Red blood cells are in the spleen

IMMUNITY AND CANCER Injecting the patient with immune

proteins to stimulate immune response Genetic engineering – isolating genes

for cancer antigens, combining them with a virus and using this as a vaccine

ASTHMA Asthma is a chronic lung disease that

causes episodes of difficult breathing. Asthma symptoms are caused primarily

due to constriction, tightening of the muscles surrounding the airways, and inflammation, soreness, swelling and irritation of the airways in the lungs.

BRONCHIAL TUBE

ASTHMA TRIGGERS

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SWELLING OF AIRWAYS OCCURS?

Wheezing Shortness of breath Chest tightness Coughing

HOW ARE SYMPTOMS CONTROLLED?

Avoid triggersMedicationEnvironmental changeCurrently there is nothing available to

prevent you from getting asthmaThere are only ways to control asthma and

prevent asthma symptoms

ALLERGIES Allergies are abnormal immune

system reactions to things that are usually harmless to most people.

When you're allergic to something, your immune system overreacts and believes that this substance is harmful to your body or it is responding to a false alarm.

Things that cause allergic reactions, such as certain foods, dust, plant pollen, or medicines, are known as allergens.

ALLERGIES

ALLERGIES The immune system is designed to

identify intruders within the body and get rid of them.

For an allergic person, the immune system has a hard time identifying which are the dangerous intruders, and which ones are ok.

An allergic person has a hypersensitive immune system, which singles out a harmless substance then attacks it.

ALLERGY CAUSES

Everyone has antibodies, the agents of the immune system which fight various kinds of intruders.

The antibody which causes an allergic response is called IgE.

Immunoglobulin E or IgE is found in the lungs, skin and mucous membranes.

In an allergic person, the immune system's IgE can't tell the difference between threatening and non-threatening protein substances.

Interesting note – IgE levels are often higher in people with allergies

ALLERGY SYMPTOMS

Respiratory allergens cause symptoms like sneezing, sniffling, wheezing, coughing, runny nose, itchy eyes, sore throats, etc.

Skin irritants can cause eczema, hives, or other reactions.

Responses to food allergens differ greatly, and in severe cases can cause a possibly fatal condition, called anaphylaxis.

The first time you are exposed to a specific allergen, your body produces large amounts of IgE antibodies to work against that allergen.

Antibodies attach themselves to the cells containing histamine.

After repeated exposure to the allergen, histamine will be released in powerful amounts, causing an outbreak of allergy symptoms.

Histamine is an important chemical in the body, it can cause problems if it is released in the wrong situation.

Allergy symptoms are the body's attempt to eject a substance it identifies to be dangerous.

ALLERGY SYMPTOMS

ALLERGY TREATMENT

Skin Testing Blood Testing Allergy Shots Medication Unfortunately…there is no cure

ANAPHYLAXIS Anaphylaxis is a severe, whole-body

allergic reaction to a chemical that has become an allergen

Large amounts of histamine is released Occurs when the immune system

creates disease fighting anti-bodies (IgE) towards a substance

Life-threatening, can occur at any time

SYMPTOMS Abdominal pain Abnormal (high-pitched)

breathing sounds Anxiety Chest discomfort or

tightness Cough Diarrhea Difficulty breathing Difficulty swallowing Dizziness or light-

headedness 

Hives, itchiness Nasal congestion Nausea or vomiting Palpitations Skin redness Slurred speech Swelling of the face, eyes,

or tongue Unconsciousness Wheezing

TREATMENT

Anaphylaxis is an emergency condition that needs professional medical attention right away

Epinephrine by injection (epi-pen) Quickly reverses anaphylactic

symptoms

ANTIBODIESImmunoglobulin A (IgA)Found in: Nose Breathing passages Digestive Tract Ears Eyes Saliva

Protects body surfaces that are exposed to outside invaders

Immunoglobulin G (IgG)Found in: All body fluids

Smallest but most common (75% to 85%) of all antibodies in the body

The only type of antibody that can cross the placenta to help protect baby during pregnancy

ANTIBODIESImmunoglobulin M (IgM)Found in: Blood Lymph Fluid

Largest in size

First type of antibody made in response to an infection

Immunoglobulin E (IgE)Found in: Lungs Skin Mucous membranes

Causes body to react against foreign invaders such as: Pollen Fungus spores Pet dander

IgE levels higher in people with allergies

ANTIBODIESImmunoglobulin D (IgD)Found in: Small amounts of tissue

that line the belly and chest

Function is not clear

AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE The body’s immune system begins

attacking its own organs and structures

HIV/AIDS: a virus which causes the inactivation of T-cells

Multiple sclerosis: a disease in which the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord

SOURCES http://www.nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/immunity/immune-detail.html

http://www.microbiologybytes.com/iandi/1b.html

http://www.austincc.edu/rfofi/NursingRvw/PhysText/Immuno.html

http://www.cancerresearch.org/CRI/media/Content/Cancer%20Immunotherapy/Cancer-and-the-Immune-System-The-Vital-Connection.pdf

http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/immuneSystem/immuneCells/Pages/phagocytes.aspx

http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/ResourceCentres/BloodandMarrowTransplant/AboutBloodandMarrowTransplants/Pages/BoneMarrowandtheImmuneSystem.aspx

http://aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/just-diagnosed-with-hiv-aids/treatment-options/overview-of-hiv-treatments/

http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/guide/ms-treatment?page=2