The role and complexity of the immune system

The immune system consists of proteins, cells and organs that are concerned with defence of the individual, primarily against the threat of disease caused by infectious organisms. An infectious organism that causes disease is called a pathogen and the individual (person or animal) that is infected by a pathogen is called the host. Not all infectious organisms cause disease and some are actually beneficial, for example bacteria living in the gut help to digest certain foods. Infectious organisms that help the host are called commensal organisms. However, many viruses, bacteria, fungi, yeasts and parasites are pathogenic and we are constantly in danger of infection and disease caused by them.

 

Some components of the immune system. The bone marrow and thymus are
sites of production of lymphocytes, white blood cells involved in immune responses.
Adenoids, tonsils, lymph nodes, spleen and lymphoid nodules are sites where immune
responses are generated. Lymphatic vessels are similar to blood vessels and allow cells of the
immune system to travel throughout the body.

The importance of the immune system in resistance to infection is demonstrated by the fact that, without treatment, babies born with severe defects of certain components of the immune system die in infancy of overwhelming infection, usually with organisms (e.g. Haemophilus influenzae, Candida albicans or cytomegalovirus) that cause little or no disease in individuals with a normal immune system. More recently, the AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) epidemic has brought the consequences of having a poorly functioning immune system to the attention of the public at large. AIDS patients usually die from infection, such as with the yeasts Pneumocystis carinii, which causes pneumonia, or Cryptococcus neo-formans, a cause of meningitis. The immune system normally controls these infections with little or no damage to the host.
The immune system is primarily involved in defence against infectious organisms, but it also plays a role in various other diseases. Evidence is accumulating that the immune system can provide protection against some tumours. Exciting new developments also suggest that immune responses can be induced against tumours that normally do not provoke an immune response. These so-called tumour vaccines offer hope of additional weapons in the armoury against cancer. The immune system is also responsible for the rejection of transplants. In this instance the immune system is acting normally in trying to defend the body against a foreign invader, even though the ‘invader’ is beneficial. Rejection of transplants is a major cause of graft loss and much effort is being devoted to try to prevent transplant rejection.
Although a properly functioning immune system is essential for good health, like any other physiological system the immune system can malfunction and actually cause diseases. The most common form of disease caused by the immune system is allergy, for example hayfever and food allergy, which is caused by an inappropriate immune response against generally harmless material such as pollen or food. Another category of diseases caused by malfunction of the immune system are the autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and some types of diabetes. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks the body’s own tissue. Although these diseases caused by the immune system can be threatening and sometimes fatal, on balance a properly functioning immune system is essential for life in the world we inhabit, which is full of disease-causing organisms, some of which, as mentioned above, are invariably fatal if the system does not operate properly.