HOST DEFENCE

Natural barriers and the immune system defend the body

against organisms that can cause infections.

IMMUNITY
The ability of an organism to resist a particular infection or toxin
by the action of specific antibodies or sensitized white blood cells.
Host defence can be categorized as below.
 INNATE IMMUNE SYSTEM

The innate immune system, also known as the non-specific immune

system or in-born immunity of the body. Innate immune systems provide
immediate defence against infection which is not long lasting. It has 2
divisions:
1. First line defence
2. Second line defence
First line defence
 Known as the outside defence system which includes physical and
chemical barriers that are always ready and prepared to defend the
body from infection.
 Pathogenic (disease-causing) microorganisms must make it past this
first line of defence. If this defence is broken, the second line of defence
within your body is activated.
 PHYSICAL BARRIERS

 The skin has thick layer of dead cells in the epidermis which provides a
physical barrier. Periodic shedding of the epidermis removes microbes.
 The mucous membranes produce mucus that trap microbes.
 Hair within the nose filters air containing microbes, dust, pollutants
 Cilia lines the upper respiratory tract traps and propels inhaled debris to
throat
 Urine flushes microbes out of the urethra
 Defecation and vomiting -expel microorganisms.
Chemical Barriers
 Lysozyme, an enzyme produced in tears, perspiration, and saliva can break down cell
walls and thus acts as an antibiotic (kills bacteria)
 Gastric juice in the stomach destroys bacteria and most toxins because the gastric juice
is highly acidic (pH 2-3)
 Saliva dilutes the number of microorganisms and washes the teeth and mouth
 Acidity on skin inhibit bacterial growth
 Sebum (unsaturated fatty acids) provides a protective film on the skin and inhibits
growth
 Hyaluronic acid is a gelatinous substance that slows the spread of noxious agents

Genetic Barriers
Different levels of sensitivity and resistance to infectious agents.
Second line defence
 The second line of defense is nonspecific resistance that destroys invaders in a
generalized way without targeting specific individuals: Phagocytic cells ingest
and destroy all microbes that pass into body tissues.
 Through a sequence of steps called the immune response, the immune
system attacks these pathogens.
Cells
The cells involved are white blood cells (leukocytes), which seek out and
destroy disease-causing organisms or substances. There are different types of
leukocytes. Each of these cell types has a specific function, but they all work
together to protect you.
 Neutrophils These cells primarily attack bacteria. Neutrophils only last a few
days in the body (before they self-destruct), but our bone marrow produces
more every day.
 T helper cells: They give instructions to other cells by producing signals.
Each T helper cell only looks out for one type of pathogen. Many T helper
cells are needed to watch for many different diseases or invaders.
 Cytotoxic (killer) T cells: These are killer cells.
 Macrophages: These cells ‘eat’ (ingest) or clean up the mess of dead cells.
 Dendritic cells: Signals T cells if there is any invader.
 B cells: These produce antibodies, which lock onto the antigen of invading bacteria
and immobilize them until the macrophage consumes them.
 Suppressor T cells: When the infection is gone, the immune system needs to be
calmed down. The suppressor T cells slow down or turn off the immune system to
prevent damage to good cells.

The lymph system

 The lymph system is a network of organs, nodes, ducts and vessels. It contains the
immune cells that move around and protect the body from harmful invaders.
1. Inflammation
Is a localized tissue response that occurs when your tissues are damaged. Inflammation
brings more white blood cells to the site where the microbes have invaded. The inflammatory
response produces swelling, redness, heat, pain.
Fever
Inhibits bacterial growth and increases the rate of tissue repair during an infection. Occurs
due to pryogens. (a substance, typically produced by a bacterium, that produces fever when
introduced or released into the blood.)
 2. Phagocytosis
 The microbe attaches to the phagocyte.
 The phagocyte's plasma membrane extends and surrounds the microbe and takes the
microbe into the cell in a vesicle.
 The vesicle merges with a lysosome, which contains digestive enzymes.
 The digestive enzymes begin to break down the microbe. The phagocyte uses any
nutrients it can and leaves the rest as indigestible material and antigenic fragments
within the vesicle.
 The phagocyte makes protein markers, and they enter the vesicle.
 The indigestible material is removed by exocytosis.
 The antigenic fragments bind to the protein marker and are displayed on the plasma
membrane surface.
3. Interferon
A protein released usually in response to the entry of a virus, that has the property of
inhibiting virus replication.

4. Complement system
The complement system is a part of the immune system, consisting of plasma proteins,
(complement proteins) that enhances the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear
microbes and damaged cells from an organism, promotes inflammation, and attacks the
pathogen's plasma membrane.
Opsonization process by which phagocytosis is facilitated by deposition of opsonins which
can be complement proteins or antibodies.
 Acquired immune system

 Also known as the third line of defense or specific resistance. This system relies
on antigens, which are specific substances found in foreign microbes. Produces specific
antibodies against specific antigens.
ACTIVE PASSIVE
Antibodies are produced in the body of an Passive immunity is the transfer of active
organism. And memory cells are immunity, in the form of readymade
produced which last for a life time antibodies, from one individual to
another.
• Naturally acquired active immunity • Naturally acquired passive immunity
• Artificially acquired active immunity • Artificially acquired passive immunity
Naturally acquired active immunity
Produce antibodies against a specific antigen, which leads to immunological
memory. Therefore the host become resistant to another attack of the antigen.

Naturally acquired passive immunity

Maternal passive immunity is a type of naturally acquired passive immunity, and
refers to antibody-mediated immunity conveyed to a fetus by its mother during
pregnancy. Maternal antibodies are passed through the placenta to the fetus. Passive
immunity is also provided through the transfer of antibodies found in breast milk that
are transferred to the gut of the infant, protecting against bacterial infections, until the
newborn can synthesize its own antibodies.
Artificially acquired active immunity
Attenuated microbial cells are vaccinated to the body. These cells act as antigens
and the body produce antibodies against them. So memory cells are produced and the
host become resistance for any infections caused by these pathogens.
e.g. Polio vaccine
BCG vaccine (Bacille Calmette Guerin) against tuberculosis
Artificially acquired passive immunity
Ready made antibodies are injected into the body in n accident entry of
pathogens.
e.g. anti-rabies
anti-tetanus
By: NEENA THAMASHI RODRIGO