Immune System Overview

The immune system is a complex network of cells and proteins that defends the body against infection. This vast network of cells and tissues is constantly on the lookout for invaders, and once an enemy is spotted, a complex attack is mounted.

Human immune system is spread throughout the body and involves many types of cells, organs, proteins, and tissues. Crucially, it can distinguish our tissue from foreign tissue, self from non-self. These are the parts of the immune system that actively fight infection.

Dead and faulty cells are also recognized and cleared away by the immune system.

If the immune system encounters a pathogen, for instance, a bacterium, virus, or parasite, it mounts a so-called immune response

Immune system is made up of special organs, cells and chemicals that fight infection (microbes). The main parts of the immune system are: white blood cells, antibodies, the complement system, the lymphatic system, the spleen, the thymus, and the bone marrow.

The Immune System and Microbial Infection

The immune system keeps a record of every microbe it has ever defeated, in types of white blood cells (B- and T-lymphocytes) known as memory cells. This means it can recognize and destroy the microbe quickly if it enters the body again, before it can multiply and make you feel sick.

Some infections, like the flu and the common cold, have to be fought many times because so many different viruses or strains of the same type of virus can cause these illnesses. Catching a cold or flu from one virus does not give you immunity against the others.

Parts of the Immune System

The main parts of the immune system are:

• Antibodies
• Bone marrow
• Complement system
• Lymphatic system
• Spleen
• Thymus
• White blood cells

Antibodies

Antibodies help the body to fight microbes or the toxins (poisons) they produce. They do this by recognizing substances called antigens on the surface of the microbe, or in the chemicals they produce, which mark the microbe or toxin as being foreign. The antibodies then mark these antigens for destruction. There are many cells, proteins and chemicals involved in this attack.

Bone Marrow

Bone marrow is the spongy tissue found inside the bones. It produces the red blood cells our bodies need to carry oxygen, the white blood cells we use to fight infection, and the platelets we need to help our blood clot.

Complement System

The complement system is made up of proteins whose actions complement the work done by antibodies.

Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system is a network of delicate tubes throughout the body. The main roles of the lymphatic system are to:

• Absorb some of the fats in our diet from the intestine
• Manage the fluid levels in the body
• Deal with cancer cells
• Deal with cell products that otherwise would result in disease or disorders
• React to bacteria

The lymphatic system is made up of:

• Lymph nodes (also called lymph glands),which trap microbes
• Lymph vessels which are tubes that carry lymph, the colorless fluid that bathes your body’s tissues and contains infection-fighting white blood cells
• White blood cells (lymphocytes).

Spleen

The spleen is a blood-filtering organ that removes microbes and destroys old or damaged red blood cells. It also makes disease-fighting components of the immune system, including antibodies and lymphocytes.

Thymus

The thymus filters and monitors the blood content. It produces the white blood cells called T-lymphocytes.

White Blood Cells

White blood cells are the key players in the immune system. They are made in the bone marrow and are part of the lymphatic system.

White blood cells move through blood and tissue throughout your body, looking for foreign invaders (microbes) such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. When they find them, they launch an immune attack.

White blood cells include lymphocytes (such as B-cells, T-cells and natural killer cells), and many other types of immune cells.

Lymph Nodes

Lymph Nodes – these are small glands located throughout the body, linked by lymphatic vessels.

Human Body’s Other Protection Against Microbes

In addition to the immune system, the body has several other ways to protect itself against microbes, including:

• Skin: Skin is a waterproof barrier that secretes oil with bacteria-killing properties
• Lungs: Mucous in the lungs traps foreign particles, and small hairs (cilia) wave the mucous upwards so it can be coughed out
• Digestive Tract: The mucous lining contains antibodies, and the acid in the stomach can kill most microbes
• Other Protection: Body fluids like skin oil, saliva and tears contain anti-bacterial enzymes that help reduce the risk of infection. The constant flushing of the urinary tract and the bowel also helps.

Fever is an Immune System Response

A rise in body temperature, or fever, can happen with some infections. This is actually an immune system response. A rise in temperature can kill some microbes. Fever also triggers the body’s repair process.

Common Disorders of the Immune System

It is common for people to have an over or underactive immune system. Overactivity of the immune system can take many forms, including:

• Allergic Diseases – where the immune system makes an overly strong response to allergens. Allergic diseases are very common. These include allergies to foods, medications or stinging insects, anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergy), hay fever (allergic rhinitis), sinus disease, asthma, hives (urticaria), dermatitis and eczema.
• Autoimmune Disease – where the immune system mounts a response against normal components of the body. Autoimmune Disease range from common to rare. These include multiple sclerosis, autoimmune thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Rheumatoid Arthritis and systemic vasculitis.

Underactivity of the immune system, also known as immunodeficiency, can:

• Inherited – examples of these conditions include primary immunodeficiency diseases such as common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), x-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and complement deficiencies
• Drug side effects – this can occur due to medications such as corticosteroids or chemotherapy
• Caused by another disease – such as HIV/AIDS or certain types of cancers.

An underactive immune system does not function correctly and makes people vulnerable to infections. It can be life threatening in severe cases.

People who have had an organ transplant need immunosuppression treatment to prevent the body from attacking the transplanted organ.

Immunoglobulin Therapy

Immunoglobulins also known as antibodies are used to treat patients who are unable to make enough of their own, or whose antibodies do not work properly. This treatment is known as immunoglobulin therapy.

Immunoglobulin therapy mostly involve delivery of immunoglobulins through a drip into the vein, known as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy. Subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) can be delivered into the fatty tissue under the skin, which may offer benefits for some patients. This is known as subcutaneous infusion or SCIg therapy.

Subcutaneous immunoglobulin is similar to intravenous immunoglobulin. It is made from plasma, the liquid part of blood containing important proteins like antibodies.

Many health services are now offering SCIg therapy to eligible patients with specific immune conditions.

Immunization

Immunization works by copying the body’s natural immune response. A vaccine which is a small amount of a specially treated virus, bacterium or toxin, is injected into the body.

The body then makes antibodies to it. If a vaccinated person is exposed to the actual virus, bacterium or toxin, they won’t get sick because their body will recognize it and know how to attack it successfully.

Vaccinations are available against many diseases, including measles and tetanus. The immunizations you may need are decided by your health, age, lifestyle and occupation. Together, these factors are referred to as HALO. which is defined as:

• Health – some health conditions or factors may make you more vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases. For example, premature birth, asthma, diabetes, heart, lung, spleen or kidney conditions, Down syndrome and HIV will mean you may benefit from additional or more frequent immunizations
• Age – at different ages you need protection from different vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Lifestyle – lifestyle choices can have an impact on your immunization needs.
• Occupation – you are likely to need extra immunizations, or need to have them more often. if you work in an occupation that exposes you to vaccine-preventable diseases or puts you into contact with people who are more susceptible to problems from vaccine-preventable diseases.

 

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