IMMUNITY
• State of protection from the invading agents
• Immunity is the summation of all the defense
mechanisms that protect an individual from harmful
invading agent
• It is the mechanism of the body to recognize an
immunogen, which in most of the cases results in
elimination of that immunogen, the effect of which
may be beneficial or harmful to the host
Immunity
Innate Acquired
Active/Adaptive Passive (antibody)
Genetic
Mechanical [Link] 1. Natural
(Humoral, Cellular)
(Breast milk,
Humoral (e.g Infection) placenta)
Cellular 2. Artificial 2. Artificial
(Humoral, Cellular) (Serum therapy)
Microbial (e.g Vaccination)
Classification of immunity
Immunity
Innate Acquired
(non-specific) (Specific)
Classification of immunity cont.
Innate immunity: Resistance that is present since birth &
prior to exposure to an immunogen
Innate
(non-specific)
Genetic or
constitutional
Microbial
Humoral Cellular
Mechanical ● Naturally occurring ● Neutrophil,macrophage
ab & other subs. ● NK cell, LAK cell
Innate immunity: Genetic or Constitutional
A. Species Immunity-
Canine distemper-Disease of dogs; not man
Guinea pigs susceptible to diphtheria but rabbits
resistant
Gonococci infects only man & Chimpanzees
Mice susceptible to pneumococci but not pigeons &
fowls
B. Racial Immunity –dark skinned races more prone
to
Coccidioidomycosis.
Sickle cell anaemia patients & G6PD deficiency
patients are resistant to falciparum malaria
Innate immunity : Genetic or Constitutional
C. Individual Immunity-
Variation with regards to nutritional & hormonal
status
D. Immunity related to Age-
Rubella cause damage in Fetus not in adults
Toxoplasma causes many neurological damages
in fetus; not in adult
Extreme of age more vulnerable to infection
Innate immunity: MECHANICAL FACTORS
MECHANICAL FACTORS - Skin and mucous membranes
Component Functions
Forms a physical barrier to the entrance of
Intact skin
microbes.
Mucous Inhibit the entrance of many microbes, but not as
membranes effective as intact skin.
Mucus Traps microbes in respiratory and digestive tracts.
Hairs Filter microbes and dust in nose.
Together with mucus, trap and remove microbes
Cilia
and dust from upper respiratory tract.
Prevents microbes and dust from entering
Epiglottis
trachea.
MECHANICAL FACTORS
MECHANICAL FACTORS - Skin and mucous membranes
Component Functions
Tears dilute and wash away irritating
Tear
substances and microbes.
Washes microbes from surfaces of teeth and
Saliva
mucous membranes of mouth.
Urine Washes microbes from urethra.
Cough reflex, sneeze reflex, defecation &
Reflexes
micturition reflex
Innate immunity : HUMORAL
Chemical Substances found in the humors or body fluids
Components Function
1. Naturally occuring
Acts against bacteria, virus, toxins etc
ab
Destroys bacteria and most toxins in
2. Gastric juice
stomach.
3. Acid pH of skin &
Discourages growth of many microbes
vagina
Antimicrobial substance in sweat, tears,
4. Lysozyme
saliva, nasal secretions, and tissue fluids.
5. Unsaturated fatty
Antibacterial substance in sebum.
acids
6. Transferin &
Sequester iron required for bacterial growth
lactoferrin
HUMORAL IMMUNITY cont.
Component Functions
7. Interferon Protects uninfected host cells from viral
(IFN) infection.
Causes lysis of microbes. Promotes
8. Complement chemotaxis, phagocytosis, contributes to
inflammation.
9. Defensins Create pores in microbial membrane
INNATE IMMUNITY - CELLULAR
Cells of innate immunity:
Neutrophils:
➢ O2 dependant: O2-, H2O2, •OH, singlet oxygen
➢ O2 independent: Lysozyme, lactoferrin, defensins,
cathelicidins, elastase
Eosinophils - Major basic protein (MBP), leukotriene;
Response mainly parasites & allergens
Basophils & mast cells: Histamine & enzymes
Natural killer cells: Lyse virally infected cells & tumour cells
Macrophage: Acts both as phagocytes & antigen
presenting cell(APC)
INNATE IMMUNITY - MICROBIAL
Normal flora of skin & mucous
membrane
Innate immunity
Acquired
(Specific)
Active/
Passive
Adaptive
1. Natural (Humoral & Cellular)
● Infection 1. Natural
● Subclinical ● Ab in breast milk
infection ● Placental IgG
2. Artificial
2. Artificial (Humoral & Cellular)
● Serum therapy
●Vaccination ● Cell infusion
Acquired immunity
Immunity developed/acquired during life time after birth.
Immunity obtained from-
➢Development of antibodies/cells in response to an
antigen
➢From the transmission of antibodies
Types:
1. Active or adaptive:
➢ Natural
➢ Artificial
2. Passive: transmission of preformed antibodies
Active/Adaptive
Active/Adaptive immunity: Branch of acquired immunity
developed after introduction of an immunogen into a
suitable host
Characteristics:
• Developed after exposure to an immunogen
• Have specificity, memory & diversity
• Stronger response after re-exposure
Types:
➢ Natural: Clinical & subclinical infection
a. Humoral: Actively synthesized antibodies by plasma cell
b. Cellular (CMI): Macrophage, CD4 T-cell, CD8 T-cell
➢ Artificial: Vaccination
a. Humoral: HBsAg, TT
b. Cellular: BCG
Ag
Active Immunity
APC
B7 mol (Immune response)
Ag
IL-4 Ag
TCR IL-12
CD 28
Th
cell CD8
IL-2
Th-2
(Humo Th-1 IL-2,
ral) (CMI) TNF,
IL-4 γ-IFN
Ag IL-5
B
Memory
cell Memory
cell
cell
Plasma
cell
Granuloma CMI
Humoral
Secondary immune response
Immunity
FIGURE : Mechanisms of granuloma formation
Passive immunity
Passive immunity : Immunity achieved temporarily due
to introduction of preformed antibody or cells into the
host
Types:
➢ Natural: Placental transfer of IgG,
mother’s milk (IgA, IgG)
➢ Artificial: Anti-tetanus serum (TIG), Anti-diphtheria
serum (Diphtheria anti-toxin)
Characteristics:
❑ Ready-made antibody
❑ Acts immediately but short-lived
❑ No immunological memory
❑ Purpose : Treatment
Differences between innate & Active/adaptive immunity
Differences Innate immunity Adaptive immunity
Inheritance Inherited from parents Not inherited; developed after
exposure to an immunogen
Cells All polymorphs, Macrophage, T cell & B cell
involved macrophage, NK cell &
mast cell
Activity Active and ready all the Cells are normally silent and
type time become active only when the
antigen is identified.
Response Immediate response; delayed response; days or
within minutes or hours weeks
Potency Effectiveness and The potency and effectiveness
potency is limited. levels are extremely high.
Differences between innate & adaptive immunity
Differences Innate immunity Adaptive immunity
Specificity Non-specific; recognize all The response is
types of pathogens, highly specific to a
including viruses, bacteria, particular Ag.
fungal organisms, etc.
Memory No memory; same Has memory;
response in first & repeated vigorous response
exposure after repeated
exposure
Diversity of The diversity is very low. Diversity is very high.
response
Differences between active & passive immunity
Legends Active immunity Passive immunity
1. Production Produce actively by Received passively
host
2. Mode of By infection or Ready made
production vaccine antibody
3. Onset of Immunity dev after Develops
immunity lag period immediately
4. Response Response-durable Short, less effective
& effective.
5. Immunological Present Absent
memory
6. Purpose of use Prophylaxis Treatment
Key point
❑ Definition/Concept of immunity
❑ Classification
❑ Cell mediated immunity
❑ Humoral immunity
❑ Examples of different types of immunity
❑ Differences btn innate & acquired immunity