Introduction to Immunology

Study Notes

Immunology is the study of the immune system, which protects the body against disease-causing organisms and other foreign substances.
The immune system consists of two main branches:
1. Innate immunity: provides immediate, non-specific defense against infection.
2. Adaptive immunity: provides long-term, specific defense against infection.

White blood cells (WBCs): defend the body against infection and disease.
- Neutrophils: engulf and digest foreign particles and bacteria.
- Lymphocytes: produce antibodies to fight infection.
- Monocytes: mature into macrophages, which engulf and digest foreign particles.
Antigens: substances that trigger an immune response.
Antibodies: proteins produced by B cells to neutralize or remove pathogens.
Cytokines: signaling molecules that coordinate immune responses.

Recognition: the immune system recognizes pathogens through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs).
Activation: immune cells are activated to respond to pathogens.
Elimination: the immune system eliminates the pathogen through various mechanisms (e.g., phagocytosis, antibody production).
Memory: the immune system remembers specific pathogens, allowing for a more rapid response upon re-exposure.

Immunodeficiency: the immune system is impaired, making the body more susceptible to infection (e.g., HIV/AIDS).
Autoimmune disorders: the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus).
Allergies: the immune system overreacts to harmless substances (e.g., pollen, peanuts).
Transplant rejection: the immune system rejects transplanted organs or tissues.

Vaccination: introduces a small, harmless piece of a pathogen to stimulate an immune response, providing immunity.
Immunotherapy: uses the immune system to fight disease (e.g., cancer, autoimmune disorders).
Immunodiagnostic tests: detect and measure immune responses (e.g., ELISA, Western blot).

Immunology is the study of the immune system, which protects the body against disease-causing organisms and other foreign substances.

The immune system recognizes pathogens through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs).
Immune cells are activated to respond to pathogens.
The immune system eliminates the pathogen through various mechanisms (e.g., phagocytosis, antibody production).
The immune system remembers specific pathogens, allowing for a more rapid response upon re-exposure.

Immunodeficiency occurs when the immune system is impaired, making the body more susceptible to infection (e.g., HIV/AIDS).
Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus).
Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to harmless substances (e.g., pollen, peanuts).
Transplant rejection occurs when the immune system rejects transplanted organs or tissues.

Vaccination introduces a small, harmless piece of a pathogen to stimulate an immune response, providing immunity.
Immunotherapy uses the immune system to fight disease (e.g., cancer, autoimmune disorders).
Immunodiagnostic tests detect and measure immune responses (e.g., ELISA, Western blot).