ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

The immune system is a complex network of organs, cells and proteins that defends the
body against infection, whilst protecting the body's own cells. When a harmless
substance such as dust, mold, or pollen is encountered by a person who is allergic to
that substance, the immune system may over react by producing antibodies that
"attack" the allergen.

Antibodies are proteins that protect you when an unwanted substance enters your body.
Produced by your immune system, antibodies bind to these unwanted substances in
order to eliminate them from your system.

Leukotrienes (LTs) are lipid mediators that play pivotal roles in acute and chronic
inflammation and allergic diseases.

Cytokines are small proteins that are crucial in controlling the growth and activity of
other immune system cells and blood cells. When released, they signal the immune
system to do its job. Cytokines affect the growth of all blood cells and other cells that
help the body's immune and inflammation responses.

T-cells are a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. They help your immune
system fight germs and protect you from disease.
B lymphocytes, also called B cells, create a type of protein called an antibody. These
antibodies bind to pathogens or to foreign substances, such as toxins, to neutralize
them.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies are well known for their role in mediating allergic
reactions, and their powerful effector functions activated through binding to Fc receptors
FcεRI and FcεRII/CD23.

Mast cell functions as part of the body's innate immune system. When membrane-
bound IgE binds a foreign substance and two Fc receptors crosslink, the mast cell
immediately releases a large number of mediators into the nearby extracellular space
via degranulation.

Histamine regulates a plethora of pathophysiological and physiological processes, such

as secretion of gastric acid, inflammation, and the regulation of vasodilatation and
bronchoconstriction.

Basophils are a type of white blood cell that works closely with your immune system to
defend your body from allergens, pathogens and parasites. Basophils release enzymes
to improve blood flow and prevent blood clots.

CNS is protected by the immune system, including cells that reside directly within the
CNS and help to ensure proper neural function, as well as cells that traffic into the CNS
with disease. The CNS-resident immune system is comprised mainly of innate immune
cells and operates under homeostatic conditions.

Kidneys clear circulating cytokines and bacterial toxins such as lipopolysaccharide

(LPS) and continuously sample blood‐borne proteins, contributing to homeostasis of the
immune system.

The lung's immune system plays a crucial role in protecting the body from all these
respiratory pathogens while tolerating small particulate matter and mechanical forces
from respiration.

The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) plays dual roles in human physiology: digestion and
uptake of nutrients and the more daunting task of maintaining immune homeostasis
(protecting the body from potentially harmful microbes, while inducing tolerogenic
responses to innocuous food, commensals and self-antigens).

Lymphatic vessels are well known to participate in the immune response by providing
the structural and functional support for the delivery of antigens and antigen presenting
cells to draining lymph nodes.