IMMUNOLOGY ....( SCOPE AND APPLICATION )

What is immunology ......?

Definition :-

Immunology is the branch of science which deals with the study of immune system, immune responses to foreign substance and their role in resisting infection by pathogen .

( study of the component and function of the immune system )

What is immunity .....?

The immunity is the state of protection from infectious disease .

- The tern immunity is derived from Latin word , immunis. Immunity in the fact freedom or exempt.

- The concept immunity is believed to be started by Edward Jenner in England .

Scope and Application of immunology:-

- Immunology is a diverse and growing discipline that can be defined as the study of the tissues, cells and molecules involved in host defence mechanisms.

- Immunologists attempt to understand how the immune system develops, how the body defends itself against disease, andwhat happens when it all goes wrong.

- Immunology provides in-depth coverage of all areas of immunology, from fundamental mechanisms to applied aspects.

- Immunology has applications in numerous disciplines of medicine, particularly in the fields of organ transplantation, oncology, rheumatology, virology, bacteriology, parasitology, psychiatry, and dermatology.

Application of immunology :-

1. Vaccinations

2. Monoclonal Antibodies

3. Diagnostic Immunology

4. immunotherapy

5. Cancer Immunology

6. Transplantation Immunology

1. Vaccinations :-

- A vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease.

- The term vaccine derives from Edward Jenner's 1796 use of cow pox to inoculate

humans, providing them protection against smallpox.

Fig :- How vaccine works

- Vaccines may be prophylacticor therapeutic.

- Vaccines are killed, attenuated,toxoid, protein subunit or conjugate.

- Vaccines have been used to prevent many disease.Now for almost all the disease.

- We would be considering Vaccines for Measles, Poliomyelitis,Typhoid, Hepatitis B, anti tetanus.

2. Monoclonal Antibodies :-

The use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for cancer therapy is one of the major

contributions of tumor immunology to advances in treating oncology patients. The success is

built on decades of scientific research aimed at serological characterization of cancer cells.

Fig :- Production of monoclonal antibody

3. Diagnostic Immunology :-

Diagnostic immunology involves using antibodies to acquire clinical data using

procedures such as:

- Precipitation Reactions- the formation of insoluble Ab:Ag complexes

- Agglutination- the formation of visible Ab:Ag aggregates

- Neutralization Reactions- inhibition of cytopathic effects due to antibody binding

- Fluorescent Antibody Staining- reveal the presence of specific pathogens

- ELISA- automated technique revealing presence of Ab or Ag

4. Immunotherapy :-

The use of immune system components or antigens to treat a disease or disorder is known

as immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is most commonly used to treat allergies, autoimmune

disorders such as Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis, and certain cancers. Immunotherapy

is also often used in the immunosuppressed (such as HIV patients) and people suffering from

other immune deficiencies.

Fig :- type of immunotherapy

5. Cancer Immunology :-

The study of the interaction of the immune system with cancer cells can lead to

diagnostic tests and therapies with which to find and fight cancer. The immunology concerned

with physiological reaction characteristic of the immune state.

Fig :- How immune system work against cancer cell

6. Transplantation Immunology :-

It is the process of moving cells, tissues, or organs, from one site to another, either within

the same person or between a donor and a recipient. If an organ system fails, or becomes

damaged as a consequence of disease or injury, it can be replaced with a healthy organ or tissue from a donor. Organ transplantation is a major operation and is only offered when all othert reatment options have failed.