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Related Concept Videos

Special Features of Adaptive Immunity01:20

Special Features of Adaptive Immunity

The adaptive immune system, a crucial component of the overall immune response, offers a highly specialized defense against pathogens. It involves specific cell types and features, enabling it to combat infections effectively and efficiently.
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...
What is the Immune System?01:38

What is the Immune System?

Overview
B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
Diversity of Antigen Receptors01:28

Diversity of Antigen Receptors

Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
Introduction to Innate and Adaptive Immunity01:21

Introduction to Innate and Adaptive Immunity

The human immune system is a complex defense mechanism that protects the body from harmful pathogens and foreign substances. It comprises two crucial components: innate and adaptive immunity.
Innate immunity is the body's natural, nonspecific defense system that acts quickly to protect against pathogens. It incorporates physical barriers like skin and mucous membranes and cellular elements such as phagocytes and natural killer cells. This part of our immune system provides an immediate,...
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response01:23

Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response

The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...

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Related Experiment Video

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Generation of Human Alloantigen-specific T Cells from Peripheral Blood
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Published on: November 21, 2014

Evolution of immune systems: specificity and autoreactivity.

Mick Bailey1, Zoe Christoforidou, Marie Lewis

  • 1School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol, UK. mick.bailey@bristol.ac.uk

Autoimmunity Reviews
|December 4, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Invertebrate immune systems are as sophisticated as vertebrate systems, challenging traditional definitions of adaptive immunity. Their evolution involves diverse strategies for pathogen defense and self-tolerance.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary immunology
  • Comparative immunology
  • Invertebrate biology

Background:

  • Multicellularity arose over 600 million years ago, necessitating robust defense against pathogens.
  • Vertebrate immune systems, involving immunoglobulin superfamily domains and RAG gene transfer, are complex.
  • Sophisticated immune repertoire expansion mechanisms have evolved independently across diverse organisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the sophistication of invertebrate immune systems in comparison to vertebrates.
  • To re-evaluate the definitions of adaptive and innate immunity based on invertebrate models.
  • To investigate mechanisms controlling self-reactivity and autoimmune damage in invertebrates.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of immune system evolution across taxa.
  • Review of empirical evidence from invertebrate vaccination studies.
  • Theoretical modeling of immune repertoire generation and self-tolerance.

Main Results:

  • Invertebrate immune systems exhibit remarkable sophistication, comparable to vertebrates.
  • Empirical success in invertebrate vaccination challenges traditional immunological definitions.
  • Invertebrates may possess unique mechanisms for regulating self-reactivity at population levels.

Conclusions:

  • The definition of adaptive and innate immunity requires revision, moving beyond strict memory and specificity criteria.
  • Invertebrates employ diverse strategies for immune repertoire expansion and pathogen defense.
  • Alternative mechanisms for controlling autoimmunity may exist in invertebrates, operating at population or regulatory pathway levels.