11.

1 Immune Response

At the end of the lesson, students should

be able to :
Describe immunity.

Describe the general structure and

state the classes of antibodies.
 11.1 Immune Response
(A) Definition :
Immunity
- the ability to ward off damage
or disease through our defenses.
- Immune system is our internal
defend system, protect the body
against disease-causing organism
and certain toxins
 Disease-causing organism or pathogens
includes certain viruses, bacteria, fungi
and protozoa.
 11.1 Immune Response
Specific Immune Response (Adaptive Immunity)

- 2 types: (i) active immunity

(ii) passive immunity

Active Immunity
- an individual can gain immunity when infected by a
pathogen or
- can be immunized with portions of a pathogen or
with less virulent pathogen.
- both results in activation of specific lymphocytes &
generation of memory cells.
Specific 11.1
Immune Immune Response
Response (Adaptive Immunity)

Passive Immunity
- an individual can gain immunity by obtaining
antibodies from another individual.
- eg: antibodies from mother can transfer
across the placenta to fetus.
- does not result in generation of memory
cells.
- only effective as long as the antibodies
remain in the body.
 11.1 Immune Response

A.Definition :
any substances (protein /
polysaccharide) that capable of
stimulating an immune response
which is foreign to the body.
 11.1 Immune Response

(A) Definition :
Protein compounds that
produced by plasma cells in
response to specific antigens and
having the capacity to react against
the antigens.
 Structure of Antibody
1. A single bivalent antibody
unit is a monomer

2. Most antibody monomers

consists of four
polypeptide chains:
(i) Two heavy chains
(ii) Two light chains
3. Amino acid chains are
held together by
disulphide bonds.
6. Within each chain is a
variable (V) region, where
antigen binding occurs,
and a constant (C)
regions, which serves as a
basis for distinguishing
the classes of antibodies.
 11.1 Immune Response
Immunoglobulin Classes

Based on differences in structure of constant regions on

heavy chains, antibody can be divided into 5 classes:
IgG
IgM
IgE
IgD
IgA
Immunoglobulin classes

20
 Classes of Antibody
Five classes of immunoglobulins :
IgM Primary antibody response.
IgA Secretory ; saliva & tears.
IgE Allergic response.
IgG Temporary protection to newborn
IgD Cell surface receptors in B
lymphocytes.

23
 11.1 Immune Response
At the end of the lesson, students should be
able to :
1.Describe the roles of lymphoid organs in
immunity such as:
i) thymus
ii) spleen
iii) tonsil
iv) lymph nodes
v) bone marrow
2.State the various types of antigen and
antibody reactions
 Lymphoid Organs

1.Lymph system is closely associated with

cardiovascular system.

2.Function:

-Helps defend body against disease.

 Lymphoid Organs

Figure - Location of Lymphoid Organs

 Lymphoid Organs

(i) Lymph Nodes

i. Small (1- 25 mm) round structures.

ii.Found at points along lymphatic vessels.

iii.Each nodule contains sinus filled with

lymphocytes and macrophages.

iv. Occurs singly or in groups of nodules :

* Tonsils are located in back of mouth
on either side.
Figure - Structure of a Lymph Node
 Lymphoid Organs
(ii) Spleen

i. Lobules contain
sinuses filled with
blood.

ii. The blood vessels

can expand;
therefore spleen
functions as blood
reservoir; makes
blood available in
times of low
pressure or oxygen
need.
 Lymphoid Organs
(ii) Spleen
iii. Spleen has red pulp
containing RBCs,
lymphocytes, and
macrophages;
functions to
remove bacteria and
worn-out blood
cells.

iv. White pulp contains

mostly lymphocytes.
Both help to
purify the blood.
 Lymphoid Organs
(iii) Thymus
i. Located along trachea
behind sternum in upper
throat.

ii. Divided into lobules

where T lymphocytes
mature.
 Lymphoid Organs
(iv) Bone Marrow
i. Site of origin of all types of blood
cells.

ii.Stem cells continuously divide to

produce cells that differentiate
into various blood cells.
 Lymphoid Organs
(v) Tonsil

i. Tonsil form a protective

ring of lymphatic tissue
around the openings
between the nasal and oral
cavities and the pharynx.

ii. They provide protection

against pathogen and other
potentially harmful
material entering from
nose and mouth.
 Type of Antigen - Antibody
Interaction

Complement Fixation/ Activation

of complement protein
Antigen-Antibody Reactions
Types of Antigen-Antibody Reactions

(A) Precipitation
Antibodies cross-
link soluble antigen
molecules dissolved
in body fluids.
Forming immobile
aggregates that are
disposed of by
phagocytes.
 Precipitation is similar to agglutination but
involves the cross-linking of soluble antigen
molecules instead of cells; these immobile
precipitates are easily engulfed by phagocytes.
Types of Antigen-Antibody Reactions

(B) Agglutination
Antibody-mediated
(clumping) of
bacteria or viruses
forms aggregates
that can readily
phagocytosed by
macrophages.
Antibody-mediated agglutination neutralizes and opsonizes the microbes.
Each antibody has two or more antigen-binding sites and can cross-link
adjacent antigens.
The cross-linking can result in clumps of bacteria being held together by
the antibodies, making it easier for phagocytes to engulf the mass.
Types of Antigen-Antibody Reactions
(C)Neutralization
Antibodies bind to
certain protein on
the surface of a
virus or bacterium.
Blocking the virus or
bacterium ability to
infect a host cell
The type of
antibody is known as
antitoxin.
KIV
 Is the simplest mechanism. The antibody
blocks viral attachment sites or coats bacterial
toxins, making them ineffective. Phagocytic
cells eventually destroy the complex.
 Antigen-Antibody Reactions

(D) Activation of complement

Binding of antigen-
antibody
complexes on
microbe or foreign
cell to one of the
complement
protein.
Activates the
complement.
 Antigen-Antibody Reactions

(D) Activation of complement

Activated
complement proteins
generate a
membrane attack
complex (MAC).
Form a pore in the
membrane.
Ions and water rush
into the cell causing
it to swell and lysis.
 Antigen-Antibody Reactions

Activation of complement
 / Activation

In complement fixation, antibodies combine with

complement proteins; this combination activates
the complement proteins, which produce lesions
in the foreign cells membrane that result in cell
lysis.
Fig.43.17