Human Immune system

(HIS)
 Immunology
• Immunology is
the study of the
strategies and
mechanisms that
the body uses to
rid itself of
foreign
substances
 Organs of the immune system
• The organs are:
• - Spleen
• - Lymph nodes
• - Mucosal nodes
• - Reticulo-endothelial
system
• - Thymus
 Spleen
• The spleen is involved
in:
• degradation of old and
dead erythrocytes.
• storage of blood as a
reserve
• production of
lymphocytes
• production of fetal
blood until birth
Lymph nodes
• Lymph nodes are
involved in both
blood production
and body defense
by capturing
microbes
• In the event of
major infection,
the lymph nodes
can become
enlarged
 Reticulo-endothelial System
• The reticulo-
endothelial system is
made up of Kuppfer
cells of the liver and
reticular cells of red
bone marrow
• This system defends
the body against
hazardous
substances by
phagocytosis
 Thymus
• Defends the body against infection by producing
lymphocytes
 Immunity
• Immunity is the recognition and removal of
molecules foreign to the body
• Antigen – foreign substance
• Antibody is produced against antigen, and destroys
antigen
Acquisition of Immunity
• Active immunity: the
individual alone produces
antibodies against an
antigen
• Passive immunity: the
individual is given prepared
antibodies
 Vaccines
• Vaccines function as a
precaution before exposure
to the illness
• They are composed of a
physiological fluid and a
weakened or dead microbe
• Properties:
• - they should have little or no
side effects
• - any vaccination should not
be given during illness or
after surgery
• - they have allergic functions.
 Types of Immunity
• Immunity is
maintained
by two
pathways:
• non-specific
immunity
• specific
immunity
Non-specific Immunity

• Barriers nonspecifically
prevent microbes from
entering the body
• It is maintained by
interferon (inactivate
viruses and degrades
cancer cells),
phagocytosis, skin,
tears and sweat, gastric
juices, hair and mucus
in the respiratory tract
Specific immunity
• It is based on
production of a
different type of
antibody against each
different type of
microorganism
antigen
 AIDS
• AIDS is caused by a
virus called HIV
(Human
Immunodeficiency
Virus)
• This can damage the
body's immune
system so that it
cannot fight certain
infections