1. Chapter 50 Assessment of Immune Function

2. The Immune System
Immunity: the body’s specific protective response to invading foreign agent or organism
Immunopathology: the study of diseases that result from dysfunction of the immune system
Immune disorders: see Table 50-1
Automimmunity
Hypersensitivty
Gammopathies
Immune deficiencies: primary and secondary

3. Central and Peripheral Lymphoid Organs

4. Development of Cells of the Immune System

5. Lymphocytes
B lymphocytes mature in the bone marrow; T lymphocytes mature in the thymus where they also differentiate into cells with various functions

6. Immune Function
Natural immunity: nonspecific response to any foreign invader
White blood cell action: release cell mediators such as histamine, bradykinin, and prostaglandins, and engulf (phagocytize) foreign substances
Inflammatory response
Physical barriers, such as intact skin, chemical barriers, and acidic gastric secretions or enzymes in tears and saliva
Acquired immunity: specific against a foreign antigen
Result of prior exposure to an antigen
Active or passive

7. Stages of Immune Response

8. Defenses Phagocytic immune response Humoral or antibody response
Cellular immune response

9. Role of Antibodies Agglutination of antigens Opsonization
Promote release of vasoactive substances; activation of complement system and phagocytosis
Act in concert with other components of the immune system
Types of immunoglobulins: IgA, IgD, IgE,IgG, and IgM

10. Antibody Molecule

11. Antigen–Antibody Binding

12. Cellular Immune Response
B lymphocytes: humoral immunity
Produce antibodies or immunoglobulins
T lymphocytes: cellular immunity
Attack invaders directly, secrete cytokines, and stimulate immune system responses
Helper T cells
Cytotoxic T cells
Memory cells
Suppressor T cells (suppress immune response)

13. Non-T and Non-B Lymphocytes Involved in Immune Response
Null cells
Destroy antigen coated with antibody
Natural killer cells
Defend against microorganisms and some malignant cells

14. Complement-Mediated Immune Responses

15. Variables That Affect Immune System Function
Age and gender
Nutrition
Presence of conditions and disorders: cancer/neoplasm, chronic illness, autoimmune disorders, surgery/trauma
Allergies
History of infection and immunization
Genetic factors
Lifestyle
Medications and transfusions: see Table 50-6
Pyschoneuroimmunologic factors

16. Tests to Evaluate Immune Function
WBC count and differential
Bone marrow biopsy
Humoral and cellular immunity tests
Phagocytic cell function test
Complement component tests
Hypersensitivty tests
Specific antigen–antibody tests
HIV infection tests
See Chart 50-3