IMMUNOLOGY

Introduction:
Immunology is the branch of biomedical science that covers the study of all the cells of immune
system. The term immunity is derived from latin term ‘Immunis’ means “exempt” or
“freedom”. It refers to all the mechanisms used by the body for the protection from
environmental agents that are foreign to the body.

Antigen
 It is a foreign protein. When an antigen is introduced into the body, it stimulates the
production of specific antibody. Each antigen has distinct surface features, or
epitopes, resulting in specific response.

Antibody:
 It is a protein substance produced in the body in response to an antigen. The antibody
recognises the disease producing organism and destroys it. Thus, antibodies protect the
body against disease. The protection is specific. Antibodies against small pox give
protection only against small pox and not any other disease. Antibodies are produced
by spleen, lymph nodes and plasma cells (small lymphocytes)

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Immunity:
It is the state of having efficient biological defenses to avoid the infection or disease and other
unwanted biological invasions. Basically, it is the capability of the body to resist the harmful
microbes from entering.

Classification of Immunity:
1. Natural Immunity:
It is innate (in born) naturally present in a person at the time of birth. It is further divided
into two types:
Active Immunity: It is induced when a person exposed to a live pathogen then its body
induces a primary immune response which is stored in an immunological memory.
Passive Immunity:
It is induced in new born babies when they drink the mother’s milk because mother’s
milk naturally contains antibodies. It is short lived immunity.

2. Artificial/Acquired Immunity:
It is induced by a vaccine containing antigen or antibody. It is not naturally present in
the body. It is further divided as follows:
Active Immunity: It is induced by vaccination that contain antigen having weak or
almost dead viruses.

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Passive Immunity: It is induced by injecting or taking antibodies as drugs in case of any
infectious bacterial disease.

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CELL MEDIATED IMMUNITY:
 The cell-mediated immunity is facilitated by the activated TH cells (T-Helper cells) and
Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTLs).
 Cytokines secreted by the TH cells activate the phagocytic cells. These activated
phagocytic cells then undergo phagocytosis and kill the microbes.
 The cell-mediated immunity is particularly important against the bacterial and
protozoan pathogens.

CELL MEDIATED IMMUNITY

HUMORAL IMMUNITY:
 The Humoral immunity is mediated through antibodies. Antibodies are produced by the
B cells. These antibodies bound to specific microbial antigens.
 Binding of antibodies to antigens neutralize the microbes and target them for
elimination by various effector mechanisms.
 The humoral immunity is the major defence mechanism against the extracellular
microbes trying to invade the host systems.

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HUMORAL IMMUNITY