Immune response secondary

Gottlieb, A. et al., Impact of a 12-week course of alefacept therapy on primary and secondary immune responses in psoriasis patients, J. Eur. Acad. Dermatol. Venereol., 15 (Suppl. 2), 242 (Abst. P24-21), 2001. 

IgG is the characteristic antibody of all internal secretions including blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Normal urine contains about 5-10 mg/day. In secondary immune responses like malaria and helminth infection, very large quantities of IgG are produced especially to soluble antigens and toxins. High values are found in many parasitic infections. 

This primary response takes some 10 days and is accompanied by the generation of memory B- and T-cells for secondary immune responses. It should be noted that immunosuppression is more effective for primary responses than for secondary responses. 

NT178 Mackenzie, J. S., and R. L. Flower. The effect of long-term exposure to cigarette smoke on the height and specificity of the secondary immune response to influenza virus in a murine model... 

The IgG described above is the major antibody in secondary immune responses, which are initiated by memory B cells. As part of the organism s ongoing immunity to antigens already encountered and dealt with, IgG is the most abundant immunoglobulin in the blood. When IgG binds to an invading bacterium or virus, it... 

Another basic characteristic of immune responses is the development of immunologic memory.38-40 This is exemplified by the fact that vaccination can sometimes impart immunity for a person s lifetime. If a foreign protein is injected into an animal, after a lag period of 2-5 days the animal will synthesize antibodies against this foreign antigen. This is called a primary adaptive immune response. If after a few days or weeks a second injection of the same protein is made, a much more rapid synthesis of additional antibodies occurs. This secondary immune response may take place within hours and will last longer than... 

Antibodies are molecules secreted by terminally differentiated B cells (a type of lymphocyte) known as plasma cells. Nearly all rabbit primary antibodies and most mouse monoclonal antibodies are immunoglobulins (Igs). There are five classes of Igs that differ structurally and functionally. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) molecules are the major class of Igs in the blood, which are predominantly produced in the secondary immune response. 

Fig 1. The primary and secondary immune responses to injections of antigen. 

Azathioprine [a zah THIO preen] has been the cornerstone of immunosuppressive therapy over the last several decades. It has a nitroimidazoloyl side chain attached to the sulfur of 6-mercap-topurine, which is removed by non-enzymatic reduction in the body by glutathione to yield 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP). The latter is then converted to the corresponding nucleotide, thioinosinic acid (TIMP), by the salvage pathway enzyme, hypoxanthine-gua-nine phosphoribosyl transferase. The immunosuppressant effects of azathioprine are due to this fraudulent nucleotide. (See pp. 380-381 for a discussion of 6-MP s mechanism of action, resistance, pharmacokinetics, and adverse effects.) Because of their rapid proliferation in the immune response, and their dependence on de novo synthesis of purines required for cell division, lymphocytes are predominantly affected by the cytotoxic effects of azathioprine. The drug has little effect on suppressing a secondary immune response. 

Hoffman et al.52, presented evidence that a single oral dose of tilorone enhanced the primary immune response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in mice as measured by the Jerne Plaque technique. They also reported an increase in hemolysin titer after tilorone administration. To further evaluate the action of tilorone on humoral antibody responses, Megel ef a/.3 have studied its effect on 19S and 7S production in the primary and secondary immune responses in mice. It was found that tilorone elevated 19S antibody titer on days 3 and 4 after immunization. After 9 days of continuous drug administration, the 19 S response for both groups was diminished compared to days 3 and 4 however tilorone was found to cause a significant increase in the 7S antibody production compared to controls. Tilorone also stimulated the 19S response to E. coli endotoxin, a thymus-independent antigen, on days 3 and 4 after immunization. 

The effects of marijuana on immune function have been reviewed (122). The studies suggest that marijuana affects immune cell function of T and B lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and macrophages. In addition, cannabis appears to modulate host resistance, especially the secondary immune response to various infectious agents, both viral and bacterial. Lastly, marijuana may also affect the cytokine network, influencing the production and function of acute-phase and immune cytokines and modulating network cells, such as macrophages and T helper cells. Under some conditions, marijuana may be immunomodulatory and promote disease. 

IgM is the dominant antibody produced in primary immune responses, while IgG dominates in secondary immune responses. IgM is physically much larger than the other immunoglobulins. 

Figure 6-2. Primary and secondary immune responses. After the first exposure to antigen, antibody production in the animal is stimulated. In the primary response, antibodies of low affinity and specificity are produced in relatively low...

Courtenay-Luck NS, Epenetos AA, Moore R, Larche M, Pectasides D, Dhokia B, Ritter MA. Development of primary and secondary immune responses to mouse monoclonal antibodies used in the diagnosis and therapy of malignant neoplasms. Cancer Res 1986 46(12 Pt l) 6489-93. 

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