Current Immunology Issues
1.
Autoimmune diseases
The immune system is regulated to recognize its own cells. Normally, it does not produce T cells to fight itself. However, there are times when antibodies are produced which fight the body’s own antigen tissues. These occurrences, which rarely happen, are called autoimmune diseases. Examples are rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, multiple sclerosis and a form of diabetes.
4. Allergies
Allergies are antigen-antibody responses that occur in some individuals as a result of exposure to specific substances. Examples include asthma, juvenile eczema and various gastro-intestinal disturbances. In similar conditions, the same allergen may not be dangerous to other individuals.
Antibody-producing stimuli and antigen-antibody responses trigger the secretion of histamine in the body. Histamine causes inflammation, rashes and bronchio-constrictions (in asthma). The number of eosinophils increases to ease the symptoms of the allergies by eliminating histamine in the bloodstream.
5. Interferon
Interferon is a protein of low molecular mass that is produced naturally in mammals and birds. It has anti-viral characteristics and is produced by the cells of the body during viral infections. It is biologically very active and is only needed in small quantities. Interferon acts by limiting viral infection and division. Because interferon delays cell growth, it could be used as an anti-cancer agent under certain conditions.
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