The immune system is often compared to an army that is alert to any possible threat, always ready to defend our body. However, the reality is much more complex. How does our body manage to survive the constant attack of pathogens and harmful substances?
What is the immune system?
In simple terms, the immune system is the set of cells, molecules and mechanisms that are responsible for identifying which external agents can enter our body and which must be eliminated . It encompasses a series of processes and chain reactions to create a communications network that is distributed throughout each and every one of the corners of our body.
This recognition system is in constant operation and scans the molecules that are on the outside that come into contact with us, but also those that are generated inside us. During physiological maintenance processes, new cells are generated. Even these cells produced by us must pass this security check to make sure they are not harmful.
Therefore, the immune system is responsible for the safety of the body and eliminates all kinds of threats, both external and internal. It achieves this through very sophisticated control and recognition mechanisms and only cells or other components that are innocuous can continue on their way.
What are the organs that make up the immune system?
The immune system is made up of hundreds of thousands of molecules and cells that work in perfect synchronicity. Although there are some organs or tissues specialized in functions of the immune system, such as the spleen, the thymus or the bone marrow , their “agents” are distributed throughout the body .
Within the agents that circulate, we find a group of very important molecules in the communication between the different cells: the cytokines . These molecules act as messengers, similar to what neurotransmitters do in the brain.
Cytokines are created and released by cells of the immune system and travel between tissues through the blood to activate or recruit other cells. The signals they transmit can generate a pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory response , depending on what they need.
On the other hand, we have cells. Because there are many types of cells that make up the immune system, their functions are just as diverse. In addition, having such a wide range, each one is specialized in a type of function or defense , which makes them highly effective.
Can my immune system change over the years?
The answer is yes, and it does so constantly . The immune system has two main types of response: immune and adaptive. The immune response is the result of many years of evolution and interaction with thousands of species of living beings , not just pathogens. Through a “give and take” of our body with the outside, some effective defensive strategies have been selected.
Some characteristics of the innate immune response is that it is present from birth , it is a very rapid response to obvious dangers, but it is not very effective for long-term defense. Here would come the response generated against poisons, viruses and other pathogens that are harmful to which we have been exposed for centuries.
On the other hand, we have the adaptive immune response , which develops throughout our lives and is conditioned by many environmental factors : the level of hygiene to which we are exposed, if we have received vaccines or even if we have healthy habits.
This response is very moldable and although it is not characterized by its speed in the face of danger, it becomes our best long-term defense , since it endows our cells with memory and specificity . A clear example of how to use the advantages of the adaptive response in our favor is the use of vaccines .
What happens when the immune system does not work well?
The immune system is regulated by many molecules and mechanisms , and some of them are redundant because they are in charge of vitally important processes. However, due to bugs, it may not work properly . In general, we can find the following types of problems when the immune system:
- Not Strong or Effective Enough: Immunodeficiencies .
- It attacks things it shouldn’t (own): autoimmune diseases .
- It attacks things that it shouldn’t (external): allergies .
In all these cases, there is a problem at one or more points in the complex network. Either because there are cells or molecules that attack our own body (autoimmune diseases such as lupus, psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis , among many others) or external elements that are not dangerous (some intolerances, allergies or hives ).
Is there a treatment to regulate the immune system?
Due to the great complexity of interactions, there is no single treatment that regulates the immune system , but there are hundreds of drugs that act on specific interactions. Depending on where the problem is or what symptoms the disease causes , one drug or another should be used.
Immunology studies the functioning of the immune system , but in turn encompasses many other areas of research, such as virology, allergology, parasitology, vaccinology or immuno-oncology . In addition, immunology is very useful in collaboration with other areas to develop effective treatments for almost any disease.
References:
Alberts et al. 2007. Molecular Biology of the Cell. Garland Science. 5th edition.
Murphy et al. 2008. Janeway’s immunobiology. New York: Garland Science. 9th edition.
