StemCell Therapy

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By Regina Bailey

Updated January 14, 2015.

There's a mantra in organized sports that says, defense is king! In today's world, with germs lurking around every corner, it pays to have a strong defense. I'm talking about the body's natural defense mechanism, the immune system.

Cells of the immune system, known aswhite blood cells,are found in our bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, tonsils, and in the liver of embryos. When microorganisms such as bacteria or viruses invade the body, nonspecific defense mechanisms provide the first line of defense.

These are the primary deterrents which ensure protection from numerous germs. There are physical deterrents (including the skin and nasal hairs), chemical deterrents (enzymes found in perspiration and saliva), and inflammatory reactions. These particular mechanisms are named appropriately because their responses are not specific to any particular pathogen. Think of these as a perimeter alarm system on a house. No matter who trips the motion detectors, the alarm will sound.

In cases where microorganisms get through the primary deterrents, there is a back-up system the specific defense mechanisms which consists of two components: the humoral immune response and the cell mediated immune response.

The humoral immune response or antibodymediated responseprotects against bacteria and viruses present in the fluids of the body. This system uses white blood cells called B cells, which have the ability to recognize organisms that don't belong to the body. In other words, if this isn't your house, get out! Intruders are referred to as antigens. B cell lymphocytes produce antibodies that recognize and bind to a specific antigen to identify it as an invader that needs to be terminated.

The cell mediated immune response protects against foreign organisms that have managed to infect body cells. It also protects the body from itself by controlling cancerous cells. White blood cells involved in cell mediated immunity include macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and T cell lymphocytes. Unlike B cells, T cells are actively involved with the disposal of antigens. They make proteins called T-cell receptors that help them recognize a specific antigen. There are three classes of T cells that play specific roles in the destruction of antigens: Cytotoxic T cells (which directly terminate antigens), Helper T cells (which precipitate the production of antibodies by B cells), and Regulatory T cells (which suppress the response of B cells and other T cells).

There are serious consequences when the immune system is compromised. Three known immune disorders are allergies, severe combined immunodeficiency (T and B cells are not present or functional), and HIV/AIDS (severe decrease in the number of Helper T cells). In cases involving autoimmune disease, the immune system attacks the body's own normal tissues and cells. Examples of autoimmune disorders include multiple sclerosis (affects the central nervous system), rheumatoid arthritis (affects joints and tissues), and graves disease (affects the thyroid gland).

The lymphatic system is a component of the immune system that is responsible for the development and circulation of immune cells, specifically lymphocytes. Immune cells are produced in bone marrow. Certain types of lymphocytes migrate from bone marrow to lymphatic organs, such as the spleen and thymus, to mature into fully functioning lymphocytes. Lymphatic structures filter blood and lymph of microorganisms, cellular debris, and waste.

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Immune System - the Body's Natural Defense Mechanism

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