Immunology Overview

Overview of Immunology

• Study of the immune system, which protects the body against pathogens, viruses, and other foreign substances
• Immunology involves understanding the mechanisms of immune responses, including innate and adaptive immunity

Innate Immunity

• First line of defense against infections
• Non-specific defense mechanisms that provide immediate protection
• Includes physical barriers (skin, mucous membranes), cellular responses (neutrophils, macrophages), and chemical responses (inflammatory responses)

Adaptive Immunity

• Specific immune response that develops over time
• Involves activation of immune cells (T cells, B cells) that recognize and respond to specific antigens
• Includes humoral immunity (antibody-mediated) and cell-mediated immunity

Immune Cells

• T Cells (T Lymphocytes)
  • Recognize and respond to antigens presented by antigen-presenting cells (APCs)
  • CD4+ T cells (helper T cells) coordinate immune responses, CD8+ T cells (cytotoxic T cells) kill infected cells
• B Cells (B Lymphocytes)
  • Produce antibodies to neutralize or remove pathogens
  • Activated by antigen binding and T cell help
• Dendritic Cells
  • APCs that present antigens to T cells
  • Activate immune responses by recognizing pathogens and presenting antigens

Antibodies (Immunoglobulins)

• Produced by B cells in response to antigens
• Recognize and bind to specific antigens, marking them for destruction
• Five classes: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, IgM

Immune Response

• Recognition
  • Antigens recognized by immune cells through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and antigen-presenting cells (APCs)
• Activation
  • Activation of immune cells, including T cells and B cells, through co-stimulatory signals and cytokines
• Effector Response
  • Elimination of pathogens through antibody-mediated and cell-mediated mechanisms
• Memory Response
  • Development of immunological memory, allowing for rapid response to future infections

Immunological Disorders

• Immunodeficiency Disorders
  • Weakened immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections (e.g., HIV/AIDS)
• Autoimmune Disorders
  • Immune system attacks self-antigens, leading to tissue damage (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
• Allergies
  • Overactive immune response to harmless substances, leading to inflammation and tissue damage

Overview of Immunology

• Immunology is the study of the immune system, which protects the body against pathogens, viruses, and other foreign substances
• It involves understanding the mechanisms of innate and adaptive immunity

Innate Immunity

• Provides immediate protection against infections through physical barriers, cellular responses, and chemical responses
• Includes skin and mucous membranes as physical barriers
• Cellular responses involve neutrophils and macrophages
• Inflammatory responses are a type of chemical response

Adaptive Immunity

• Develops over time and involves specific immune responses to specific antigens
• Involves activation of immune cells, including T cells and B cells
• Includes humoral immunity (antibody-mediated) and cell-mediated immunity
• T cells recognize and respond to antigens presented by antigen-presenting cells (APCs)

Immune Cells

• T Cells (T Lymphocytes)
  • Recognize antigens presented by antigen-presenting cells (APCs)
  • CD4+ T cells coordinate immune responses, while CD8+ T cells kill infected cells
• B Cells (B Lymphocytes)
  • Produce antibodies to neutralize or remove pathogens
  • Activated by antigen binding and T cell help
• Dendritic Cells
  • Present antigens to T cells, activating immune responses
  • Recognize pathogens and present antigens

Antibodies (Immunoglobulins)

• Produced by B cells in response to antigens
• Recognize and bind to specific antigens, marking them for destruction
• Five classes: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, IgM

Immune Response

• Recognition
  • Antigens recognized by immune cells through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and antigen-presenting cells (APCs)
• Activation
  • Activation of immune cells, including T cells and B cells, through co-stimulatory signals and cytokines
• Effector Response
  • Elimination of pathogens through antibody-mediated and cell-mediated mechanisms
• Memory Response
  • Development of immunological memory, allowing for rapid response to future infections

Immunological Disorders

• Immunodeficiency Disorders
  • Weakened immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections (e.g., HIV/AIDS)
• Autoimmune Disorders
  • Immune system attacks self-antigens, leading to tissue damage (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
• Allergies
  • Overactive immune response to harmless substances, leading to inflammation and tissue damage

Study of the immune system and its mechanisms, including innate and adaptive immunity. Understand the body's defense against pathogens and foreign substances.