The Role of T, B, and Plasma Cells in the Central Nervous System, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Peripheral Blood, and Tissues
in Autoimmune Diseases: An Outline.
i. Cellular immunity.
i. Humoral immunity.
c. Cellular immunity versus humoral immunity.
D. T cell-mediated autoimmune disease.
E. B cell-mediated autoimmune disease.
The Role of T, B, and Plasma Cells in the Central Nervous System, Cerebrospinal Fluid, Peripheral Blood, and Tissues
The immune system protects the body from invading microorganisms and toxins. Its two major components include the T and B lymphocytes. T lymphocytes provide a cellular protection; whereas, B lymphocytes mediate humoral immunity. Physiologic control of the immune system results in tolerance. This phenomenon prevents the lymphocytes from targeting host tissues. An impairment of tolerance can have pathologic consequences. The autoimmune diseases are a diverse group, and many different therapeutic modalities may be appropriate.
Acquired immunity acts against alien microorganisms and toxins. The term, "immunity," may be defined as the "ability of the body to protect itself against specific foreign agents such as specific bacteria, viruses, toxins, or foreign tissue cells (6:405-413)." The immune system does not resist the initial invasion of a specific organism. In addition, it typically cannot protect against the effects of exposure to new toxins. However, within a few days to a few weeks, the immune system does develop a resistance to invaders (6:405-413).
Immune protection is produced by the body's lymphoid tissues. These tissues occur primarily in the lymph nodes. In addition, other areas containing lymphoid tissue include the spleen, the submucosal areas of the gastrointestinal tract, and the bone marrow. Lymphoid tissue is distributed such that it is able to intercept invading microorganism...