The Ways and Means of the Immune System: The Immune System

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

The Immune System

Hello...

I don't know why one is so often tempted to address an audience, particularly one that is invisible and possibly imaginary. Anyway. Hello all of you out there who are attracted by the title. I am a scientist studying the immune system, and while i may have issues with life in science and the conduct of it, not to mention the establishment, I find the immune system fascinating. So I've decided to write about it. I read a lot of papers (at least I should) published in the immunology journals of today, and often I find things that are so interesting that I just want to discuss them. So I plan to summarize, try to explain and wonder about some of the coool things I read about in immunology. Here. On this blog, coolimmunology.

I do take requests, let me know if there's something you'd like me to post about in the comments. Always, I am NOT a medical professional, these are just my personal opinions, formed by the reading of published journal papers. They are not representative of anything other than my private personal opinions. They are shaped by my background in research, and my specialties. I am not omniscient, so I do not know or understand everything.

That said, let the immunology begin!

1 comment:

MinCat said...: huwwy uppppp!! :D um...fevers are the body fighting issues right? then why do they get so high you cn die? :D; February 22, 2007 at 12:36 PM

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Welcome and Disclaimer

I am writing here to express my interest in the wide variety of research that goes on in Immunology today. I am NOT a medical professional, and I do not offer medical advice. These are just my personal opinions, formed by the reading of published journal papers. They are not representative of anything other than my private personal opinions. I do not endorse or revile any journal or group or university or researcher. They are shaped by my background in research, and my specialties. I am not omniscient, so I do not know or understand everything. Enjoy!

The Vocabulary

An Antigen is any molecule that is recognized by the specialized cells of the immune system, usually by antigen receptors on the surfaces of these cells. Antigens are picked up and displayed by other specialized cells called antigen presenting cells. Antigens can be recognized by two broad categories of cells, T cells and B cells. T cells detect antigens through an antigen receptor called the T cell receptor, but only when these antigens are bound to antigen presenting molecules called MHC molecules. MHC proteins carrying antigens are found on the surface of antigen presenting cells. B cells make antibodies, which also recognize antigens. Once a B cell recognizes antigens through its antigen receptor, the antibody, it makes many many more of the same antibody and secretes , or spits them out, into the body so that they circulate throught the body. Naive B or T cells are cells that have never seen an antigen, and activated cells are those that have. Effector cells are those cells that have seen antigen and can do something about it, like kill that the cell carrying the antigen. Memory cells are cells that retain a memory of their encounter with an antigen, and can react faster and more effectively the next time they see the same antigen. The immune system consists of a few major lymphoid organs: the thymus, where T cells are made; the bone marrow, where all cells originate; the spleen, where many effector cells reside; and the lymph nodes, which are present at multiple sites throughout the body. Immunes cells spend their lives whizzing around between these various organs in various states of activation. A pathogen is any organism that infects a host, they can be bacteria, viruses or parasites.