IMMU2101 Lecture 1: IMMU2101
Document Summary
Immune system: a collection of cells, tissues, and molecules that mediate resistance to infections and eliminates tumours. Immunology: study of the immune system and its responses. The power of the immune system: spectacular successes in the area of vaccination. Impact of immunology goes beyond infections to affect tumours and transplantation: over-reaction of immune system: asthma, atopic/allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases. Immune system is integrated with other systems: gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, endocrine, skin etc. Immature mast cell progenitors enter tissues, where they mature. Macrophage communication with b and t lymphocytes: b lymphocytes (b cells) mature from common lymphoid progenitors in bone marrow, part of the humoral immune response, main function is to secrete antibodies, which bind to extracellular antigens. Help other immune cells by releasing cytokines, or via membrane bound molecules. Some cd4 t cells suppress or regulate the immune response rather than activating it.
