Organizing the Immune Response

Decreases the production of lymphocytes and eosinophils in the blood by causing atrophy of the thymus gland blocks the release of cytokines, resulting in a decreased performance of T and B monocytes in the immune response. (This action, coupled with the anti-inflammatory action, makes the corticosteroids useful in delaying organ rejection in patients with transplants.)... 

Both vaccines and toxoids are administered to stimulate the immune response within the body to specific antigens or toxins. These agents must be administered before exposure to the pathogenic organism. The initiation of the immune response, in turn, produces resistance to a specific infectious disease. The immunity produced in this manner is active immunity. Display 54-5 gives examples of indications for use of toxoids and vaccines. 

Vaccinations containing live organisms are not administered within 3 months of immune globulin administration because antibodies in the globulin preparation may interfere with the immune response to the vaccination. Corticosteroids, antineoplastic dru, and radiation therapy depress the immune system to such a degree that insufficient numbers of antibodies are produced to prevent the disease. When the salicylates are administered with the varicella vaccination, there is an increased risk of Reye s syndrome developing. 

After activation, cytotoxic T cells emerge from lymphoid organs to infiltrate the graft and trigger the immune response. These cells have been shown to induce graft destruction via two mechanisms (1) secretion of the cytotoxic proteins perforin and granzyme B, and (2) induction of cellular apoptosis... 

Esquifino, A. I., Pandi-Perumal, S. R. Cardinali, D. P. (2004). Circadian organization of the immune response A role for melatonin. Clin. Appl. Immunol Rev. 4, 423-33. 

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