Humoral nonspecific

The following is a brief explanation of some of the indicators that may be used to trigger additional definitive testing and a description of some of the most commonly used assays to assess humoral, cell-mediated, or nonspecific immune dysfunction, which are common to most immunotoxicology test strategies. 

Preventative vaccines are increasingly used during pregnancy, with the intention of protecting the newborn baby from infectious disease, such as influenza, via conferred immunity from the mother (1). To date, no causal relationships have been demonstrated for adverse effects on pregnancy with any approved vaccine. However, potential mechanisms have been suggested by which an induced immune response could interfere with prenatal development. A nonspecific disturbance of the resting balance between the innate and humoral activities of the immune system, for instance, could result in abortion (2). Otherwise, the induced antibodies may have the potential to disturb normal development due to a specific... 

Osadchaya O, Boyarskaya G (2009) Effect of enterosorption on humoral immunity of patients with nonspecific ulcerative colitis. Consilium Medicum (In Ukrainian) 5(3) 20-21... 

The immune system of patients with postoperative multiple organ failure is compromised, which is confirmed by the decrease of immunocompetent cells but not immunoglobulins IgA and IgM. Nonspecific immunity of these patients is also depressed. However, after extracorporeal blood purification had been performed, immune system stimulation was observed, which was higher than hemosorption specific indicators of cellular and humoral immunity. 

It will be evident from the above historical background that empirically it was appreciated that immunity to a disease could be both active and passive. Immunity was shown to be specific and nonspecific with two main responses, humoral (body fluids) and cellular. 

Both the nonspecific and specific components of the immune system can be suppressed by chemicals, including drugs. It involves the suppression of maturation and development of immune cells. Both T and B cells develop in the bone marrow and thymus. This involves a complex series of changes in relation to antigen receptors and recognition. Chemicals can affect these processes, leading to a decrease in the number of mature T and B cells. This will result in inhibition of both the humoral and cellular responses. 

Humoral immunity can also be divided into nonspecific and specific components ... 

Nonspecific humoral immunity is mediated via the complement system. After activation of the complement system a cascade is initiated in which more than 15 individual glycoprotein compounds in the plasma react with each other in a... 

The influence produced on the immune system by vitamins, macro- and microelements may result from the fact that many of these compounds function as activators of enzymes, mediators of immunological reactions, and compounds responsible for the transfer of information between cells. Deficiency of these nutrients can weaken the humoral and cellular response and, in many cases, the nonspecific response of the immune system. The following vitamins are believed to produce particular influence on the immune system A, B6, C, D, and E (Brock 1996, Mukhopadhyay et al. 2000, Pfahl and Chytil 1996, Semba 1998, Zhao et al. 1994) (Table 2.2.4). 

Apraclonidine (pora-aminoclonidine) is a relatively nonspecific alphai- and alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist, which is less likely to cross the blood-brain barrier than clonidine. Apraclonidine suppresses aqueous humor flow by 39-44% and lowers intraocular pressure by 20-23% (5). 

Acquired immunity is antigen dependent and comprises all the specific immunological reactions associated with lymphocytes. In light of the existence of an antigen-specific defense system, a legitimate question arises as to why we have such an elaborate nonspecific immune system. One of the primary reasons may be that an acquired immune response takes time. For example, 5 days are needed to generate a primary antibody response, and the body must rely on the innate immune system to hold the infection in check during this time. As noted previously, acquired immunity can be subdivided into two effector arms, humoral immunity and cell-mediated immunity. The humor (i.e., a bodily fluid) associated with humoral immunity is the secreted form of Ig in the blood. The cells associated with cell-mediated immunity are the various subpopulations of T cells. 

Immune defense depends on four complex, interactive systems cell-mediated immunity (T lymphocytes) humoral antibodies (immunoglobulins) the phagocytic system and the complement system. The last two systems are nonspecific in that they have no immunological memory for the antigen. Only the second and fourth systems are composed of plasma proteins. Immunodeficiency states characterized by recurrent infections may be the result of a defect in any one of these systems or combinations thereof. 

Abuse of morphine and related opiates is well known to alter a number of immune response parameters, including suppression of cell-mediated, humoral-mediated, and natural (nonspecific) immunity (Bhargava 1990). Unlike the clear demonstration of morphine s effects on immune responses following in vivo exposure, in vitro studies have been limited. Although morphine s ultimate deleterious... 

Immunostimulation is defined as the nonspecific enhancement of cellular and/or humoral immune reactions. Immuno-stimulants do not produce antibodies but do lead to changes in the immune system such as increased formation of granulocytes and macrophages, increased phagocytic activity as well as the following ... 

The immune system has three basic components humoral, cell-mediated, and innate (nonspecific) immime responses. Humoral immunity is primarily associated with B lymphocytes and the production of antibodies, also known as immimoglobulins (Ig). Differentiated B cells produce five Ig isotypes, each with unique stracture and function IgG, IgM, IgD, IgE, and IgA. For example, IgE is associated with allergic type 1 immediate hypersensitivity reactions, and IgA (a secretory antibody) is foimd in bodily secretions. 

Reticulostimulin (RS). It was shown (Prevot, 1975) that aerobic corynebacteria do not synthesize RS, which is produced only by anaerobic forms, if they are not lysogenic. Stimulation of the RES by RS is accompanied by the stimulation of synthesis of several serum proteins, i.e. proceeds on the basis of natural RES defenses (nonspecific immunity) by both cellular and humoral mechanisms. 

---