Non-specific immune response

Rougier, F., D. Troutaud, A. Ndoye, and R Deschaux. 1994. Non-specific immune response of zebrafish, Brachydanio rerio (Hamilton-Buchanan) following copper and zinc exposure. Fish Shellfish Immunol. 4 115-127. 

Ai Q, XU H, MAI K, XU w, WANG j and ZHANG w (2011), Effects of dietary supplementation of Bacillus subtilis and fractooUgosaccharide on growth performance, survival, non-specific immune response and disease resistance of juvenile large yellow croaker, Larimichthys crocea. Aquaculture, 317,155-161. 

HARIKRISHNAN R, KIM J-S, KIM M-C, BALASUNDARAM C aud HEO M-S (2011b), Prunella vulgaris enhances the non-specific immune response and disease resistance of Paralichthys olivaceus against Uronema marinum. Aquaculture, 317,1-15. 

A specific immune response, i.e. a specific biological reaction to a substance regarded as non-self, is not usually involved during contact with synthetic materials. However, the use of materials from natural origin, such as proteins, polysaccharides, and natural rubber and its derivatives, may induce reactions with pre-existing antibodies or formation of antibodies of different classes against some typical epitopes displayed on the surface of the material. 

Apart from offering a new and highly specific approach to the inhibition of herpesviruses, this new mechanism of action could potentially also have beneficial immunological consequences. During treatment with BAY 38-4766, viral protein synthesis continues, but due to the lack of monomeric genomic length DNA, only empty particles (dense bodies) can be formed. It is conceivable that these non-infections viral particles could aid the establishment of an antiviral immune response, leading to better control of the virus by the host. This mechanism appears... 

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