CHAPTER 1
Immunologie
Cara Mestdag
KU Leuven
CHAPTER 1
, 1
Inhoudsopgave
Basic Concepts in Immunology
Immunology = study of all asects of host defense against infection and also of the adverse consequences of immune
respons
Variolation = the intentional inhalation of or skin infection with material taken from smallpox pustutles of an infected
person for the purpose of deriving protective immunity
Vaccination = the delierate induction of adaptive immunity to a pathogen by injecting a dead or attenuated
(nonpathogenic) live form of the pathogen or its antigens (a vaccine)
Antibody = a protein that binds specifically to a particular substance, called its antigen and neutralize their activity.
Each antibody molecule has a unique structure that enables it to bind specifically to its corresponding antien, but all
antibodies have the same overall structure and are known collectively as immunoglobulins. Antibodies are produced
by differentiated B cells (plasma cells) in response to infection or immunization and bind to and neutralize pathogens
or preparet hem for uptake and destruction by phagocytes.
Complement = set of plasma proteins that act together as a defense against pathogens in extracellular spaces. The
pathogens becomes coated with complement proteins that facilitate its removel by phagocytes and that can also kill
certain pathogens directly. Activation of the complement system can be initiated in several different ways.
Adaptive immunity = a specific response against infection by potential pathogens, such as the production of
antibodies against a particular pathogen; immunity to infection conferred by an adaptive immune response.
develops during the lifetime of an individual as an adation to infection with that pathogen; is distinguished from
innate immunity
Innate immunity = the various innate resistance mechanisms that are encountered first by a pathogen before
adaptive immunity is induced such as anatomical barriers, antimicrobial peptides, the complement system, and
macrophages and neutrophils carrying nonspecific pathogen-recognition receptors. Innate immunity is present in all
individuals at all times, does not increase with repeated exposure to a given pathogen, and discriminates between
groups of similar pathogens, rather than responding to a particular pathogen
Antigen = any molecule (proteins, glycoproteins, polysaccharides of pathogens, metals: nickel, penicillin, organic
chemicals: urushiol) that can bind specifically to an antibody or generate peptide fragments that are recognized by a
T-cell receptor
Antiserum = the fluid component of clotted blood from an immune individual that contains antibodies against the
antigen that was used for immunization. An antiserum contains a mixture of different antibodies that all bind the
, 2
antigen, each of which has a different structure, its own epitope on the antigen, and its own set of cross-reactions.
This heterogeneity makes each antiserum unique.
Immunologie
Cara Mestdag
KU Leuven
CHAPTER 1
, 1
Inhoudsopgave
Basic Concepts in Immunology
Immunology = study of all asects of host defense against infection and also of the adverse consequences of immune
respons
Variolation = the intentional inhalation of or skin infection with material taken from smallpox pustutles of an infected
person for the purpose of deriving protective immunity
Vaccination = the delierate induction of adaptive immunity to a pathogen by injecting a dead or attenuated
(nonpathogenic) live form of the pathogen or its antigens (a vaccine)
Antibody = a protein that binds specifically to a particular substance, called its antigen and neutralize their activity.
Each antibody molecule has a unique structure that enables it to bind specifically to its corresponding antien, but all
antibodies have the same overall structure and are known collectively as immunoglobulins. Antibodies are produced
by differentiated B cells (plasma cells) in response to infection or immunization and bind to and neutralize pathogens
or preparet hem for uptake and destruction by phagocytes.
Complement = set of plasma proteins that act together as a defense against pathogens in extracellular spaces. The
pathogens becomes coated with complement proteins that facilitate its removel by phagocytes and that can also kill
certain pathogens directly. Activation of the complement system can be initiated in several different ways.
Adaptive immunity = a specific response against infection by potential pathogens, such as the production of
antibodies against a particular pathogen; immunity to infection conferred by an adaptive immune response.
develops during the lifetime of an individual as an adation to infection with that pathogen; is distinguished from
innate immunity
Innate immunity = the various innate resistance mechanisms that are encountered first by a pathogen before
adaptive immunity is induced such as anatomical barriers, antimicrobial peptides, the complement system, and
macrophages and neutrophils carrying nonspecific pathogen-recognition receptors. Innate immunity is present in all
individuals at all times, does not increase with repeated exposure to a given pathogen, and discriminates between
groups of similar pathogens, rather than responding to a particular pathogen
Antigen = any molecule (proteins, glycoproteins, polysaccharides of pathogens, metals: nickel, penicillin, organic
chemicals: urushiol) that can bind specifically to an antibody or generate peptide fragments that are recognized by a
T-cell receptor
Antiserum = the fluid component of clotted blood from an immune individual that contains antibodies against the
antigen that was used for immunization. An antiserum contains a mixture of different antibodies that all bind the
, 2
antigen, each of which has a different structure, its own epitope on the antigen, and its own set of cross-reactions.
This heterogeneity makes each antiserum unique.
