ABSTRACT
To understand some general principles of immunology, Tables 6.1 to 6.3 introduce and define several important immunological terms and concepts. Table 6.1 lists immunological definitions for understanding the principles of immunology, while Table 6.2 outlines the components of natural immunitythat is, innate, naturally occurring immune reactions resulting in development of physiologic defenses against foreign agents. Thus natural immunity involves the development of immunological defense and extracellular killing without production of specific CD-cellsa or antibodies (Table 6.3). Table 6.4 presents other components of natural immunity-that is, the immunological cellular defenses that also do not require specific T-or B-cell adaptation, since these cells do not acquire T-cell receptors (TCRs). Table 6.5 introduces the features of adaptive immunity-that is, acquired immunity developed as a result of exposure to specific antigen and resulting in expression of cell surface markers, TCRs, and development of immunologic memory. Active immunity and passive immunity are subtypes of the acquired response (Table 4.2, chap. 4, also summarizes the features of acquired immunity). Furthermore, active immunity involves two types of responses, humoral and cell mediated, while passive immunity is composed of the administration of synthetic antibodies, antivenoms, antitoxins, and therapeutic passive immunization. The antibodies are generally produced in commercial laboratories in mammalian species using good laboratory practice procedures (GLP). Administration of this preparation bypasses production of antibodies in the ultimate host.
