Name: PAUL ARJUN

ID: 17-1091-288

Summary of Immunopathology
There are 2 types of immunity. They are described as follows:

Innate immunity

Immunity that is naturally present and is not due to prior sensitization to an antigen from, for
example, an infection or vaccination. Since it is not stimulated by specific antigens, innate
immunity is generally nonspecific.

Adaptive immunity
The adaptive immune system, also known as the acquired immune system or, more rarely, as
the specific immune system, is a subsystem of the overall immune system that is composed of
highly specialized, systemic cells and processes that eliminate pathogens or prevent their growth.
The acquired immune system is one of the two main immunity strategies found
in vertebrates (the other being the innate immune system). Acquired immunity
creates immunological memory after an initial response to a specific pathogen, and leads to an
enhanced response to subsequent encounters with that pathogen. This process of acquired
immunity is the basis of vaccination. Like the innate system, the acquired system includes
both humoral immunity components and cell-mediated immunity components.
Antigen presentation
Antigen presentation describes a vital immune process which is essential for T cell immune
response triggering. Because T cells recognise only fragmented antigens displayed on cell
surfaces, antigen processing must occur before the antigen fragment, now bound to the major
histocompatibility complex (MHC), is transported to the surface of the cell, a process known as
presentation, where it can be recognized by a T cell receptor.
Antibody production
Antibody, also called immunoglobulin, a protective protein produced by the immune system in
response to the presence of a foreign substance, called an antigen. Antibodies recognize and latch
onto antigens in order to remove them from the body. A wide range of substances are regarded
by the body as antigens, including disease-causing organisms and toxic materials such as insect
venom.

Types of hypersensitivity reaction

Hypersensitivity (also called hypersensitivity reaction or intolerance) refers to undesirable
reactions produced by the normal immune system, including allergies and autoimmunity. They
are usually referred to as an over-reaction of the immune system and these reactions may be
damaging, uncomfortable, or occasionally fatal. Hypersensitivity reactions require a pre-
sensitized (immune) state of the host. They are classified in four groups after the proposal of P.
G. H. Gell and Robin Coombs in 1963.

Type I hypersensitivity
Type I hypersensitivity is an allergic reaction. Exposure to the allergen may be by ingestion,
inhalation, injection or direct contact. The difference between a normal immune response and
a type I hypersensitivity response is that plasma cells secrete IgE antibodies that bind to mast
cells and basophils that then release histamines, a vasodilator, and heparin, a blood thinner.
These cause inflammation at the site as blood flow to the affected tissues is increased. The
reaction may be either local or systemic. Symptoms vary from mild irritation to sudden death
from anaphylactic shock. This is why allergies are manifested as red and watery eyes, runny nose
and hives. Asthma is a form of anaphylaxis, as a combination of edema and airway constriction
prevents tissues from getting sufficient oxygen.

Type II hypersensitivity
Type II hypersensitivity is an antibody-dependent process in which specific antibodies bind to
antigens, resulting in tissue damage or destruction. If the antigen is present on cell surfaces,
antibody binding can result in cell lysis through the in situ fixation of complement. IgM
antibodies (multimeric) are often more effective in fixing complement than are than IgG
antibodies (monomeric). Type II hypersensitivity is typified by a transfusion reaction in which
mismatched red blood cells are rapidly destroyed by specific preformed antibodies (anti-ABO or
-Rh) and complement. Although fixation of complement can result in direct cell lysis,
opsonization and recruitment of inflammatory cells is often a more important cause of cell
injury.

Type III hypersensitivity

Type III hypersensitivity occurs when there is accumulation of immune complexes (antigen-
antibody complexes) that have not been adequately cleared by innate immune cells, giving rise to
an inflammatory response and attraction of leukocytes. Such reactions may progress to immune
complex diseases.
Type IV hypersensitivity
Type IV hypersensitivity typically occurs at least 48 hours after exposure to an antigen. It
involves activated T cells, which release cytokines and chemokines, and macrophages and
cytotoxic CD8+ T cells that are attracted by these moieties. Delayed-type hypersensitivity and
granuloma play a major role in tissue damage observed during infections with slow-growing
intracellular organisms, such as M. tuberculosis (tuberculosis), M. leprae (leprosy) and H.
capsulatum. Many of the clinical manifestations of chlamydial disease, in particular trachoma,
seem to result from a delayed-type hypersensitivity triggered by chlamydial heat shock proteins.
This is not an autoimmune phenomenon directed to heat shock proteins in general, because the
unique rather than the conserved portions of these proteins seem to be implicated.