Why during the influenza epidemic some people become ill, while others - not? It was the same in the Middle Ages: the epidemic of especially dangerous infections - Plague Plague - whether justified reputation of the "black death"? , Smallpox, cholera Cholera: the main thing - to prevent dehydration   They kill someone, and someone left to live, because the country has not died out completely. So, people have something that protects them from the terrible danger?

What is the immune system

Immune system - an association of organs and tissues, which protect the body from diseases by recognizing and destroying the invading external "outsiders" and their modified tumor cells. Destroys bacteria, viruses, protozoa, toxins own tumor cells, etc. All of them are foreign entities, or antigens.

The immune system consists of the thymus gland, bone marrow, embryonic (in utero), liver, lymphoid formation of the intestine and the appendix (appendicitis), the lymph nodes, spleen, and also found in the blood and tissue cells of bone marrow origin - lymphocytes, monocytes, and others. Most of the cells of the immune system are constantly moving through the blood and lymph vessels in a section of the immune system and vice versa.

Immune cells interact with each other and isolated environment diverse molecules that exert regulatory action against the body's own cells and the vast - for alien. Such molecules are called cytokines.

The immune system comes to the protection of the body in stages. The first obstacle for the penetration of "outsiders" in the body are the physical barriers (skin, mucous membranes). If he managed to break through these barriers, the innate immune system is activated, which is aimed at all "enemies" in general, rather than something concrete. Then turn on the acquired immune system, which developed at the first meeting with these "offenders", and if the meeting is the first time, the immune response is generated in the process of interaction with antigen.

Cellular (innate) immune system

Cellular immunity is more ancient, mostly innate, but its elements are there and acquired immunity Immunity - types and characteristics in children in adults . Protecting the body against "enemies" made by cells of the immune system. Such cells are called phagocytes, they destroy foreign particles by phagocytosis - ingestion and subsequent intracellular digestion. Another embodiment of phagocytes work (selection damaging particles in direct contact with the "enemy") occurs when the antigen is large (e.g. worms).

All phagocytes are divided into macrophages (granular white blood cells) and macrophages (monocytes). The first place to the appearance of "outsiders" rush macrophages, for them - macrophages. Attract them to the "scene of the battle" T-lymphocytes, which are allocated to this particular matter. Some phagocytic cells circulate throughout the body in search of penetrating into the body "outsiders".

The humoral (acquired) immunity

Humoral immunity - a specific antibody for the implementation of a particular antigen. Acquired immunity is improved in the course of human life. It provides a more pronounced immune response and an immunological memory, so that every foreign microorganisms is stored in the immune system and reintroducing it ready to meet the antibody.

Immune system cells, which are responsible for the implementation of the key functions of the adaptive immune system are the lymphocytes (a type of white blood cells - white blood cells). They are divided into thymus-dependent (T-lymphocytes, which develop in the thymus) and thimic-independent (B lymphocytes - develop, passing the thymus in fetal liver). Lymphocytes bear on their surface molecules which recognize antigens.

T lymphocytes are divided into T helper (helper) and T-killrov (murderers). Helper T cells regulate the humoral immunity by activating B cells to produce antibodies specific proteins - by cytokines and T-killer cells destroy the body's own cells (e.g., tumor) by allocating specific substances through direct contact.

B-lymphocyte function is primarily in the production of antibodies Antibodies - "soldiers' immunity . The interaction of antibody with antigen, they stick together, which contributes complement (complex system of serum proteins). The complement system attacks foreign cells membrane. It includes more than 20 different proteins. Complement is a major component of the innate humoral immune response. Subsequently Complement destroys bacteria and viruses, and decomposition products excreted

How the immune system remembers the meeting with the antigen

A special feature of the immune system lies in the fact that at a meeting with a specific antigen again, it "remembers" the first meeting and produces antibodies to it, this ability is called immune memory. Immune memory provided T- and B-lymphocytes.

The immune system - one of the most advanced mechanisms in our body.

  Galina Romanenko

Immunomodulators - are substances that regulate or modify the immune system. They can act as immunosuppressants by blocking the immune response or adjuvants - substances that stimulate the immune response. Immunosuppressants used to treat autoimmune diseases such as Crohn's disease and rheumatoid arthritis, or Arthritis - a variety of forms and complications As well as to prevent rejection of the transplanted organ. Immunostimulants improve the functioning of the immune system in people with chronic infectious diseases, immunodeficiency and cancer.

Immunomodulators: What you need to know about them

Tolerogeny - substances which increase the tolerance of the immune system as well as reduce or completely inhibit the response of body tissues to specific antigens - a third type immunomodulators.

It is unclear exactly how the work immunomodulators, but it is assumed that they are working on specific substances and processes that are part of the immune plummet. For example, cytokines - natural immunomodulators that are produced lymphoreticular cells, affect the activity of the immune system in several ways.

Interferons - a group of cytokines, with properties to stimulate the immune system. Gamma interferon enhances antigen presentation and promotes the activation of various immune cells, including macrophages and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. It is used for the treatment of chronic granulomatous disease. Alpha-interferon is used to treat infections, such as Hepatitis B Hepatitis B - a dangerous inflammation of the liver   and B, as well as cancers such as chronic myelogenous leukemia, Kaposi's sarcoma, hairy cell leukemia and malignant melanoma. Interferons may cause side effects such as fever, chills, muscle aches, headache and depression.

Other examples are immunostimulants levamisole and thalidomide. Levamisole - a drug originally used to treat helminthiasis; now it is used in the treatment of colon cancer. Thalidomide previously used as anti-vomiting of pregnancy, but the drug is withdrawn from sale because of its teratogenicity. Recently, it has been found a new use as an immunomodulator, which is effective for rheumatoid arthritis, multiple myeloma, and erythema.

With immunomodulatory therapy can control the symptoms of inflammatory diseases. For example, azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, cyclosporin and tacrolimus may be used to maintain remission in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Mikofenolag, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and mycophenolate are examples of anti-proliferative or cytostatic drugs; cyclosporine and tacrolimus are calcineurin inhibitors.

During treatment with immunomodulators need to make regular tests to monitor the condition of the patient, paying special attention to the effects of taking these drugs for the bone marrow, kidneys and liver. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant soon, receiving immunomodulators may be contraindicated, since in some cases they have become a cause of serious birth defects, as well as increase the likelihood of miscarriage.

Types of immunomodulators

Immunomodulators - drugs is to stimulate or suppress the immune response of the organism.

Today, all available medicines - immunomodulators animal, microbial, vegetable and synthetic origin. They have the ability to stimulate the immune processes and activate immune cells (T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, etc.), to induce the formation of interferon and so on.

Immunomodulators derived from the thymus gland, and bone marrow of animals

The most important role in the immune system plays a thymus gland (thymus). It converts stem cells (young cells that subsequently form cells of different tissues) in the lymphocytes responsible for immunity. In addition, the thymus gland secretes hormones that influence the development and maturation of immune cells. From the thymus of animals received a number of extractive products - timalin, taktivin, Timoptin, vilozen, which are used to stimulate the immune system. Preparations from the thymus of animals used for violations of immunity to the change of cellular immunity. Such violations contribute to the emergence of purulent and tumor diseases, tuberculosis, psoriasis, herpes.

Bone marrow (in which mature immune cells) isolated preparation activin B (mielopid). Preparations from the bone marrow of animals used for violations of immunity to the change of humoral immunity. Such violations immunity honking suppurative acute and chronic infections, leukemia.

Bacterial and plant immunomodulators

Bacterial immunomodulators (imudon, IRS 19, broncho-moon ribomunil) is produced by special treatment of the most common causative agents of diseases of the upper respiratory tract. These drugs stimulate the body's natural defense mechanisms against respiratory infections. They reduce the frequency and severity of these infections, and as a result decreases the need for medication, particularly antibiotics. Increases humoral and cellular immunity by stimulating macrophages, increased numbers of circulating T-lymphocytes and antibodies.

Bacterial immunostimulants is prescribed for acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract and upper respiratory tract.

Herbal immunomodulators stimulate the bone marrow blood, thereby increasing the number of granulocytes (a variety of white blood cells - blood cells), increases the activity of phagocytes (they capture and dissolve inside bacteria) and liver cells responsible for immunity. For drugs in this group include Immunal and echinacea, prescribers to strengthen the body's defenses to get sick colds.

Immunomodulators cytokines and nucleic acid

Cytokines - a low molecular weight proteins resemble hormones influence the character. Just as the latter, cytokines enter the bloodstream, but hormones are spread throughout the body, and cytokines rather quickly decompose and provide consistency of the immune, endocrine and nervous systems. Available products based on natural cytokines (eg, Superlymph) and recombinant (ie produced from biomass or bacteria - Betaleukin, roncoleukin). Apply natural cytokines for the treatment of wounds and trophic ulcers. Recombinant cytokines used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and some tumors zlokachestvennh.

Cytokines - interferon inducers - low molecular weight protein having antiviral, immunomodulatory and anti-tumor properties. The cytokines - interferon inducers include drugs: tsikloferon TSikloferon - restores the body's defenses , Alloferon, Poludanum, tilorona and so on. They are used to treat chronic viral infections.

By nucleic acid preparations are ridostin and derinat. They are inducers of interferon and have immunostimulatory and antiviral effect. Apply them to treat and prevent a simple, genital herpes and shingles Shingles and chickenpox - from the same pathogen , Urogenital infectious diseases, recurrent prostatitis, chlamydial infections, influenza, SARS, tick-borne encephalitis, HIV and other viral infections.

Immunomodulators synthetic origin

Synthetic immunostimulants include levamisole, thymogen and others. All of them are different in chemical structure, each drug has its particular mechanism of action. Appointed by these drugs for chronic viral and bacterial infections associated with decreased immunity.

Immunomodulators - are complex drugs that can not be used without a doctor's prescription.

Galina Romanenko