The Immune System
How do we survive or better
yet, thrive in a world inundated with microorganisms? The answer: basically, our immune system. The immune system is composed
of millions of cells circulating throughout our body. It can be compared to a finely tuned orchestra. These specialized body
tissues and organs create quite an elaborate and complex symphony of defense against infection and cancer. Organs and cells
of the immune system are an important part of our skin, respiratory and digestive systems. These defenders protect us by fighting
against microscopic invaders like bacteria, viruses, fungus, toxins, and parasites. We a depend on the immune system to identify
mutated cells and to destroy them before they can multiply into cancerous tumors. This finely tuned immune sytem recognizes
and attempts to destroy anything that is foreign to our normal cells and tissues.
How Does It Function?
The
immune system is constantly assessing or surveying, reacting, amplifying and adjusting itself. A finely tuned collection of
cells with a huge responsibility to communicate to each other via special chemicals and receptors. Although we do not know
everything about this unique system, we have begun to understand it more within the past decade.
The Lymphatic System
Immune cells have
their own circulatory system called the lymphatic system. A fluid known as lymphatic fluid or lymph bathes the body as it
transports vital white blood cells to areas of infection, injury or abnormal cell growth. Immune system cells are housed,
so to speak within the lymph nodes that are strategically placed throughout the human body.
A very important organ called the spleen manufactures
white blood cells and traps foreign invaders or antigens in order to trigger the immune response.The spleen filters the blood
and lymphatic system of cell debris, microorganisms and old or damaged cells. The immune sytem defense or army naturally fights
on our behalf day in and day out. To best understand how the body protects itself, we should understand each of the components,
main events and agents of the immune system.
Lymphocytes: Known as white blood cells, are mainly composed of what are called T and B lymphocytes. T-cells act on virus-infected
body cells and also attack fungi and parasites.These T-cells have several categories or groups: cytotoxic T-cells, helper
T-cells and T-suppressor cells. Cytotoxic T-cells , also known as CD8 cells, are the "sniper" T-cells. Tese
efficient and high-powered snipers inject the foreign invader with a protein that kills the antigen. This action is the central
feature of cell-mediated immunity against foreign invaders.
Phagocytes-
The initial scouts of the immune system. Phagocyte cells seek out, engulf and kill antigen invaders.This process of ingesting
antigens which is complex, provides our immunity. After the microbe is killed, phagocytic cells return to their home port
or lymph nodes to begin their next course of action: stimulsating other cells of the immune system to activate acquired immunity.
Our acquired immune response is critical because it dictates our response to foreign substances.
Antigens- Anything that is foreign or "non self" is known as an antigen.
Antibodies- Antibodies
help us kill foreign substances. Cytotoxic antibodies best represent how antibodies help us kill foreign substances by acting
as a lock. It is Y in shape. The key that fits the antibody lock lives on the surface of the antigen, for example, a bacteria
or a virus-infected cell.When the antigen key opens the antibody lock, signals in the body activate the complement systemor
natural killer cells, both of which kill the antigenic invader.This complement system is comprised of proteins circulating
in the blood. Once triggered, these proteins release molecules called cytokines. Cytokines act as messenger molecules and
also trigger an antigen-killing attack by cytotoxic T-cells and natural killer cells. Natural killer cells destroy antigens
by releasing cytotoxins or (cell killing poisons) directly into these unhealthy cells.
T Regulatory cells- T
regulatory cells, also known as Treg cells prevent the immune system from going into overdrive. When it comes to immunity,
more is not always better. For our immune system to function properly, it must discriminate between self and non-self. Without
this ability, the immune system would destroy our own cells. Destriuction of our bodies as in immune disorders such as, multiple
sclerosis, lupus, and so on are given a bad rap using the uneduccated theory that the body is desroying itself.
On that note: acid destroys and alkalinity repairs. Acid waste by
product is the real reason the demyelination occurs on the brain and spinal cord covering called the myelin sheath.
Period!
