Foreign-body response adaptive immune system

The hallmark of the immune system is its ability to respond to an invasion of the body by microorganisms or toxic components in ways that afford protection against the detrimental effects that could occur. The responses of the immune system include both specific (adaptive immune system) and non-specific (innate immune system) components. These react in different ways to antigens, which are substances foreign to the host. For example, antigens can be protein or polysaccharide components of microorganisms, but also toxic substances produced by them. Components of innate and adaptive immunity are listed in Table 4.1. 

As indicated, one of the primary responsibilities of the immune system is to protect the body from bacteria, viruses, and other foreign pathogens. The immune response consists of two primary components innate and adaptive (acquired) immunity.18,23 Innate immuni-... 

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