Immune System Facts

The human body is an amazing machine. The human body has evolved from a single cellular, simple organism into a multicellular and complex structure. The human body is self sufficient and performs every physical, biological, chemical function without any glitch. A healthy human body takes the required vitamins and minerals to carry out the basic body functions and mechanisms from healthy food and the healthy drinks that we consume. The healthy body is like Fort Knox, with an excellent defense mechanism to overcome any external threat by pathogens or toxic substances. Let us learn more about the immune system facts by understanding the organs and cells involved in the immune system.

Organs and Cells of the Immune System
Bone Marrow: The bone marrow is the production house for B cells, natural killer cells, granulocytes, immature thymocytes, red blood cells and platelets.

Thymus: This is where immature thymocytes migrate and are produced as mature T cells.

Spleen: The spleen is made up of B cells, T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer cells and red blood corpuscles. The spleen produces large amounts of antibodies to fight against antigens and it is a graveyard for old red blood corpuscles.

Lymph Nodes: These immunologic filter of the bodily fluids are found all over the body. The antigens are filtered through the lymph nodes and the macrophages and dendritic cells capture these antigens and present them to the T and B cells, thus evoking a full-fledged immune response.

T-Cells: The T cells are divided into the T helper cells or CD4+ T cells and the T killer/suppressor cells or CD4+ T cells. The T helper cells are used to potentiate immune responses by secreting specialized factors that activate the white blood cells to ward off a possible infection. The T suppressor cells are directly involved in killing the tumor cells, viral infected cells and parasites.

Natural Killer Cells: These killer cells are true to their name as they kill tumors, like melanomas, lymphomas, viral-infected cells like herpes and cytomegalovirus infected cells. These killer cells act without consulting the lymph nodes unlike the T killer cells.

B Cells: These cells produce antibodies against bacteria, virus and tumor cells. Antibodies are defined as 'specialized proteins that specifically recognize and bind to one particular protein'. This binding of the foreign body signals other cells to kill or engulf the unwanted substance.

Granulocytes: Also known as polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) are composed of three different cell types; neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils. They basically engulf the foreign body and use their enzymes to degrade them.

Macrophages: These scavenger cells also known as antigen presenting cells (APC) pick up the invader and ingest them. Macrophages then present them to the T cells and B cells, thus initiating an immune response.

Dendritic Cells: These cells are more efficient than the macrophages as the antigen presenting cells. They capture the antigens and bring it to lymphoid organs initiating an immune response.

Thus, the complex chemical and enzymatic mechanism of the immune system helps our body from falling prey to pathogens and tumor cells. Let us now learn more about the immune system facts.

Interesting Immune System Facts

• The first layer of our body is the skin and the mucus membrane acts as the physical barrier to the harmful organisms and substances. The second protective layer is the 'innate immune system'. It acts as a short-term non-specific immune response. If this first and second protective barrier is crossed by the microbes, they encounter the third and more active immune response.
• When the immune system attacks a harmless substance or chemical in the body, it leads to an allergic reaction.
• There are four phases of an immune response: recognition, amplification of defense, attack and suppression.
• The environment plays an important role in affecting our immune response. Toxic substances, air pollution, pesticides and second hand cigarette smoke affects the defense system of our body.
• It is very important to get your beauty sleep for at least 8 hours as under 5 hours of sleep can significantly depress the immune functions.
• The body has over 50 million white blood cells that work to protect the body's defense system.
• One may lose five billion WBC's when donating blood and still be left with enough to fight a full fledged immune response.
• CD8 and catecholamine cells are severely affected by psychological stress. If their normal levels are altered, it may suppress the immune system making the body prone to infections.
• Dieting reduces the number of killer cells, which leads to a weaker immune system.
• Pumping excessive iron in the gym makes the body produce more cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones temporarily impair the immune function.
• It is great way to overcome stress and fatigue by regular massages. But these beauty massages also help increase the number and aggressiveness of the natural killer cells and protective antibodies. This boosts the immune system to fight the invading bodies more efficiently.
• Too much of anything is always harmful. Similarly, some sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D and too much sunlight suppresses the immune system.
• Quit smoking! You can build your weak immune system within a month of quitting. There is increase in immune cell activity and cortisol, that is a stress hormone.
• Lymph nodes, the most important defense mechanisms of the body are not found in the feet!
• Laughter is the best medicine. This is not just an old saying but laughter induces a proactive immune response that leads to a healthy body.

Well, these are a few interesting immune system facts. Our body has a defense mechanism that is stronger, more organized and more efficient than the strongest armies in the world. In order to keep your body's defense system impregnable, pump your body with vitamins and minerals following a healthy diet. Exercise regularly and keep away from tobacco, alcohol and narcotics. Stay stress-free and keep laughing for a stronger immune system.