The Immune System.

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The Immune System.

• Whats up with that.

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What is it?

• The immune system is the network of specialized
  cells and organs that work together to defend the
  body against attacks by foreign invaders,
  a.k.a. antigens, such as bacteria or viruses

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• An antigen is any substance that stimulates the
  immune system to make a specific immune response.

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Self/Non-Self Recognition- THE MAIN, GENERALIZED
FUNCTION OF IMMUNE CELLS

• Every cell in a humans body displays a marker
  or bar code based on its major
  histocompatibility (MHC). These codes or
  markers let the body know that those cells are
  its own cells.
• Any other cells, that do not display the same MHC
  marker, are recognized by the immune system as
  non-self and are attacked.

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So basically...

• If youre not us, youre dead.
• The Immune
  System

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What are the general cellsthat are involved when
an immune response is made?

• Macrophages
• Helper T-cells
• B-cells and Killer T cells

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MacrophagesTHE BIG EATERS

• Macrophages are found in all locations in the
  body, where they await the entry of foreign
  material which they then wrap themselves around
  and ingest. Macrophages are the first immune
  cells to perform the self/non-self recognition
  function. They identify antigens as non-self,
  and initiate the rest of the immune response to
  attack it.

• 1) They gobble up the antigens
• 2) Break them up into little pieces
• 3) Display the pieces the helper T cells

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Helper T Cellsthe heart of the immune system

• The little pieces of the antigen fit like keys
  into locks found on helper T cells, and thus
  "turn on" these cells. Once turned on, helper T
  cells then direct traffic in the immune system,
  using chemical messengers (called
  interleukins/lymphokines) to signal other immune
  cells to get involved in the battle.

The Helper T Cells direct the traffic of the
immune cells.
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Helper T Cell

• If the antigen is recognized as
• a germ or bacteria,
• the B-cells will be
• signaled

• If the antigen is
• recognized as
• a cancer or virus-
• infected cell,
• the killer T cells
• will be signaled.

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B-cells

• B cells, once given the proper information from
  helper T cells, secrete proteins called
  antibodies.
• Antibodies are missiles that move about
  our bodies specifically targeting foreign
  material.
• The B-cells bind and neutralize the germ, and
  attract other immune system components which
  facilitate the destruction of the
  antibody-labeled target.

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Killer T Cells

• Once given the "go" signal from helper T cells,
  these cells will cozy up beside cancer cells or
  virus-infected cells and then "stab" them so that
  the target cell ruptures and no longer serves as
  a reservoir for viral growth or as a cancer clone
  capable of generating more progeny.

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SO, for example

• Suppose this cell snuffs up a flu virus.
• We now have a virus-infected cell, which will
  need to be combated.

We have a nose (respiratory epithelial) cell
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Step 1
Macrophages

• The macrophage wraps itself around and ingests
  the infected cell (the nose cell antigen).
• The macrophage breaks it up into little pieces,
  then displays it to the helper T cells.

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Step 2 ?

• The helper t cells recognize the infected nose
  cell as a virus-infected cell.
• Because it is a virus-infected cell, the helper t
  cells will signal the killer t cells to destroy
  the antigen.

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Step 3 ?
The killer T cells will move right up to the
virus-infected cell and rupture it, so that the
virus or cancer can no longer grow or multiply.
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(If)

• If instead the antigen was a bacteria and not a
  virus, the helper t cells would signal the
  b-cells to destroy the antigen.

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Last but not least

• Pieces of bacteria or virus from either scenario
  are mopped up by the macrophage scavengers.

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We all have our flaws

• Often the immune system has its flaws, and the
  body is unable to be 100 accurate in making its
  immune responses. This means that there may be a
  glitch in either the process of the macrophages,
  helper t-cells, b cells or killer T cells doing
  their jobs. The functioning of these processes
  together make up the generalized self/non-self
  recognition and attacking of foreign cells.
• So, if there is a problem with the immune system,
  it generally means that the body is unable to
  properly identify or fight off antigens.
• 2 examples of immune system response problems
  are asthma and allergies.
• Asthma and Allergies deal with triggers in
  relation to the antigens that trigger the
  immune response.

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Asthma
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What is it?
A chronic respiratory disease, in which the
airways unexpectedly and suddenly narrow, often
in response to an allergen, cold air, exercise,
or emotional stress

• Any age can develop it
• Usually 1 chronic condition found in young
  people needs monitoring and to be controlled
  over a persons life time
• Episodes vary from one to the next
• Can break out time to time /wont appear for long
  period of time

• a.k.a. chronic inflammatory disease of the
  airway
• Cause unknown
• Currently no cure
• Symptoms
• -shortness of breath
• -tightness in chest
• -coughing
• -wheezing

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Triggers

• Anything that will cause inflammation in the
  airways
• 2 types Inflammatory and symptom
• Inflammatory (allergic) causes
  inflammation/tightness of the lungs airways
  muscles
• Symptom (non-allergic) low chance at causing
  inflammation can set off twitchy airways
  (especially if airways are already inflamed)

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• Symptoms occur flow of airway is interrupted as
  it passes in/out of lungs
• More inflammation more sensitive airways
  become-more symptoms occur (muscles circling
  airway more sensitive)
• Leads to breathing problems

• Asthma patients-airways inflamed all the time
  (certain degree)

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• Controllers reduces inflammation
• Symptoms occur less less
• Relievers
• lightens symptoms right away

• Controlling asthma-
• -avoid asthma triggers
• -take medication
• -form health care team
• -follow asthma action plan
• Treatments- (2 types)
• -each medication serves diff. purpose

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The 3 stages

• Histamine release
• Arachidonic acid cascade
• Leukotrienes

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Histamine Release

• Important protein entangled in many allergic
  reactions
• Histamine-known as vasoactive amine
• Release of histamine
• -contributes to an inflammatory response
• -constriction of smooth muscles occur

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Allergies

• Often treated by antihistamines
• Effects of Antihistamines
• -restrains histamines release of inflammatory
  mediators by leukocytes
• -results in neutralization of histamine (deters
  histamine from binding/activating immune related
  cells in the area)

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Arachidonc Acid Cascade

• series of chemical reactions that make
  leukotrienes
• Response to many inflammatory stimuli (change in
  internal or external environment)

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Leukotrienes

• Are naturally produced lipid mediators
• Function
• -involved in asthmatic and allergic reactions
• (leukotrienes act to maintain inflammatory
  response)

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Leukotrienes in asthma

• Assist in the study of the biological and
  physical reveal of the disease (asthma)
• causes these symptoms
• -air flow obstruction
• -increased secretion of mucus
• -mucosal accumulation
• -Bronchoconstriction
• -infiltration of inflammatory cells in airway
  walls

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Role of Cysteinyl Leukotrienes

• During interaction process, receptors encourage
  pro-inflammatory activities
• Induces asthma and other inflammatory activities
  which therefore reduces the airflow to the
  alveoli

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Allergies

• Abnormal reactions to ordinarily harmless
  substances.

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Description

• Normally, the body learns to defend itself
  through experience through recognition.
• Vaccinations help create immunity
• Allergic Reactions occur after the immune system
  mistakenly learns to recognize innocent foreign
  substances (allergens) as potentially harmful.
• Allergens can be inhaled, swallowed, or come into
  contact with skin.

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Popular Allergens

• Pollen
• Mold Spores
• House dust mites
• Animals
• Foods
• Insect bites
• Latex rubber
• Viruses
• Bacteria
• . And much more!

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Causes

• Fundamental cause unknown
• Tendency to run in families genetic
• Infants that are breast-fed are less likely to
  develop allergies
• Expose to certain allergens

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Symptoms
Mild Moderate Severe
Rash Itchy, watery eyes Congestion Mild reactions do not spread to other parts of the body Itchiness Difficulty breathing Can spread to other parts of body a.k.a. anaphylaxis Swelling Hard breathing Abdominal pain Cramps Vomiting Diarrhea
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Treatment

• Antihistamines
• Triggers immune system to go to action. Mast
  cells in immune system release histamine causes
  blood vessels to enlarge redness, swelling and
  itching. Block histamine receptors and prevent
  those symptoms
• Over counter Benadryl, Claritin, Dimetane,
  Zyrtec
• Prescription Clarinex, Allegram Astelin (nasal
  spray)

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continues

• Decongestants
• Relieve congestion
• Allergic reaction cause tissue in nose to swell
  in response with allergies. The swelling produces
  fluid and mucous. Blood vessels in eyes also
  swell which then cause redness. They shrink
  swollen nasal tissues and blood vessels to
  relieve the symptoms of nasal swelling,
  congestion, mucous, secretion and redness.
• Over counter zyrtec-d, sudafed, Afrin (nasal
  spray)
• Prescription Allegra-D

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Anaphylaxissevere, potentially life-threatening
allergic reaction.

• Can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure
  to allergen
• The flood of chemicals released by your immune
  system during anaphylaxis can cause you to go to
  shock blood pressure drops and airways narrow-
  blocking normal

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Causes

• Certain allergies make immune systems overreact
  and when this happens the immune system goes on a
  chemical chain reaction ANAPHYLAXIS
• Allergens medication, foods (peanuts, shellfish,
  etc), insect bites, etc
• Exercise

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Symptoms

• Skin reactions (pale, itching, hives, rash)
• Constriction of airways and swollen
  tongue/throat breathing trouble
• Weak and rapid pulse
• Nausea, dizziness
• Vomiting, diaherra

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Complications

• Can be life-threatening when a severe
  anaphylactic attack occurs . It can stop
  breathing and heartbeat.

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Treatment

• CPR- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
• Epinephrine (adrenaline) reduce bodys allergic
  response
• Oxygen- compensate restricted breathing
• IV antihistamines/cortisone reduce inflammation
  or airways
• Steroid Medication treat and prevent prolonged
  symptoms
• Always be properly stocked with medicines and
  avoid allergens