Immune system vertebrate

Among vertebrate species, the neuro-endocrine-immime system is responsible for many complex, inter-related physiological processes including neuronal, homeostatic, reproductive and immune functions. There are four main types of hormone polypeptides, eicosanoids, steroids and thyroid hormones. Reflecting the inter-dependency of the neiiro-endocrine and immune systems, hormones, neuropeptides and other neiirotransmitters are known to be produced by some immune cells and play a role in the regulation of the immune system, while endocrine and nervous tissues express receptors for many substances produced by the immune system. The major focus of interest in endocrine disruption has... 

The immune system in vertebrates provides a defense mechanism against foreign parasites such as viruses and bacteria. Three main properties are essential to its successful operation specific recognition of foreign molecules, the ability to destroy the foreign parasite, and a memory mechanism that allows a more rapid response to a second infection by the same microorganism. 

IFNs are natural glycoproteins produced by the cells of most vertebrates in response to the challenge by foreign agents, such as infectious organisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites), and by tumor cells. IFNs can be produced by cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems and by non-immune cells such as fibroblasts and epithelial cells. 

HA receptors are classified into 4 subtypes Hi, H2, H3, and H4 (Hill et al, 1997). All four HA receptor types are metabotropic receptors and belong to the superfamily of G-protein coupled receptors. Ionotropic HA receptors are found in invertebrates (Hardie, 1989 Gisselmann et al., 2002) but are absent from vertebrates (Haas Panula, 2003). Of the four HA receptors, only the Hi, H2, and H3 receptors are found in brain. The recently discovered H4 receptor is predominantly present on leukocytes and may have a critical role in the immune system (Nguyen et al., 2001 Bakker, 2004 Haas 8i Panula, 2003). 

Du Pasquier, L., Speculations on the origin of the vertebrate immune system, Immunol. Lett., 92, 3, 2004. 

Du Pasquier, L. The immune system of invertebrates and vertebrates. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. C, 129, 1, 2001. 

The immune system of vertebrates is composed of a great number of interacting cellular and molecular species whose responsability is to detect, identify and destroy foreign invaders such as infective microorganisms and their concomitant macromolecular constituents [23]. 

Lipopolysaccharides are the dominant surface feature of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella ty-phimurium. These molecules are prime targets of the antibodies produced by the vertebrate immune system in response to bacterial infection and are therefore important determinants of the serotype of bacterial strains (serotypes are strains that are distinguished on the basis of antigenic properties). The lipopolysaccharides of S. typhimurium contain six fatty acids bound to two... 

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