Adaptive Immunity

adaptive immunity

destroys pathogens resistant to inflammation and provides long-term, highly effective protection against future infection of the same pathogen

immunoglobulins and lymphocytes

what are the end products of adaptive immunity?

antigens

foreign molecules to the host which illicit immune response, can bind with antibodies and lymphocyte receptors

immunogens

a type of antigen molecule that binds to receptors and will induce an immune response of antibodies, depends on foreignness, molecule size, and quantity

humoral immunity

uses B cells and circulating antibodies to cause direct inactivation of a microorganism or the activation of inflammatory mediators; protects against bacteria/viruses

cell-mediated immunity

uses T cells and functions in T cell differentiation, killing targets directly, and stimulating the activity of other leukocytes; protects against viruses and cancer

immunoglobulins (antibodies)

produced by plasma cells which occur when a B cell matures in response to antigen exposure; types include IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, and IgE

direct antibody function

immune defense by the action of the antibody alone, includes neutralization, agglutination, and precipitation

indirect antibody function

immune defense requires the activation of other components of the innate immune response, includes inflammation, phagocytosis, and complement

secretory (mucosal) immune system

lacrimal/salivary glands and lymphoid tissues that protect external surfaces; antibodies are found in tears, sweat, saliva, mucus, and breast milk; IgA is the dominant immunoglobulin

clonal diversity

production of T/B lymphocytes with antigen recognition and lymphocyte specificity

clonal selection

antigen processing and presentation, complex cellular interactions

bone marrow

where are B cells produced and mature in the body?

thymus

where are T cells produced and mature in the body?

antigen processing/presentation

initiated when T/B cells interact with an antigen and results in differentiation; for this to occur, antigen must be appropriate type, lymphocyte must be prepared to recognize the presented antigen, and the antigen must be presented accordingly

B-cell activation

when immunocompetent B cell encounters antigen for the first time, it is stimulated to differentiate and proliferate; differentiates into plasma cells and memory B cells

T-cell activation

occurs when binding antigen to specific T cell receptors allows for direct killing of foreign cell or assistance/activation of other cells

T regulatory cells

regulate the immune system to avoid attacking itself

primary immune response

immune system is first exposed to pathogen, then there is a lag phase, after 5-7 days IgM detects the pathogen’s antigen, and equal or slightly less IgG response follows

secondary immune response

reexposure to a previous pathogen, no lag phase and more rapid production of greater amount of antibodies thanks to B memory cells, IgM has similar amount as previously but IgG greatly increases

clusters of differentiation (CD)

labelling system used to identify a family of proteins found on the surface of immune cells, playing key roles in cell signaling and immune response.