Applied Immunology: Comprehensive Overview of the Immune System, Innate and Adaptive Immunity, and Immune Responses to Infectious Diseases

UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
COLLEGE OF BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES
SCHOOL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES




SZL 3304: APPLIED IMMUNOLOGY




LECTURE 1:


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, OVERVIEW OF IMMUNOLOGY

THE BIOLOGICAL BASIS OF DISEASE
Immune Responses to Infectious Diseases

•Three lines of defense

•Immune recognition

•Immunoregulation by helper T cells

•Immunity to infectious pathogens

•Vaccination

Immunity to Infection
•Two different types of responses to invading microbes.

•Innate or natural resistance represents the first and second lines
of defense.

•Adaptive immunity represents the third line of defense.

1. FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE
•External barriers:

–Anatomical: skin, mucous membranes.
–Mechanical: cilia in respiratory tract.
–Physiological: lysozymes, low pH.

Exterior Defenses
•The immune system has evolved to protect us from pathogens
(viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi). •Most infectious agents do
not penetrate the body surface.

•Pathogens encounter mechanical and physiological barriers.




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