Specific immunity

Historically, many cytokines were discovered by means of their immunoregulatory properties, hence, the term interleukins. However, cytokines regulate not only functions of the specific immune system, but also many... 

Cytokines. Figure 1 Inhibition of cytokine synthesis during activation of the specific immune system. The monoclonal antibodies Muromonab and Basiliximab are specific for the CD3 complex of the T-cell receptor, and for the IL-2 receptor on lymphocytes, respectively. Cyclosporin and Tacrolimus inhibit activation of cytoplasmic NF-AT, a transcription factor essential for activation of the IL-2 gene ( NFAT Family of Transcription Factors). Sirolimus interferes with mTOR signaling and inhibits IL-2 dependent proliferation. Red pharmaka, blue target proteins. 

Specific immunity is a highly sophisticated defense mechanism of higher organisms. A high level of... 

Grafting T Cells with Recombinant Receptors to Enhance Virus-Specific Immunity... 

Schroit, A. J., and Key, M. E. (1983). Induction of syngeneic tumor-specific immunity by liposomes reconstituted with L2C tumor-cell antigens, Immunology. 49. 431-438. 

The above scientific information on rice bran phytochemicals indicates that a multitude of mechanisms are operating at the cellular level to bring about specific health effects. Several health benefits of rice bran appear to be the result of the synergistic function of the many phytochemicals, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals which operates through a specific immune response. Their role in the biochemical mechanisms at the cellular level which result in major health effects is shown in Fig. 17.1. A short overview summarizing the effect of the various phytochemicals on major health issues such as cancer, immune function, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, altered liver function and gastrointestinal and colon disease will be given below. 

At low concentrations, TNF-a activates a range of leukocytes that mediate selected elements of both specific and non-specific immunity. These TNF-a actions include ... 

Although several of the strategies listed in Table 14.5 are being employed in these trials, many focus upon the introduction of various cytokines into the tumour cells themselves in order to attract and enhance a tumour-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. 

Respiratory allergies and infections are the most common form of illness in the United States and Europe and account for more missed school and work days than any other disease [1], A substantial body of experimental work has clearly shown that airborne toxicants such as tobacco smoke, ozone, and other air pollutants can alter many aspects of the host defense network to either decrease resistance to infection, or exacerbate respiratory allergies and asthma [2], Exposure to air toxicants can suppress a number of key host defenses including mucociliary clearance in the airways, pulmonary macrophage function, and development of specific immune responses such as IgG antibody production and cell mediated immunity. In contrast, immune stimulation in the form of increased T cell activity and IgE antibody formation has also has been shown to occur under some circumstances, resulting in increased incidence or severity of allergic lung disease. 

Non-specific immunity Peritoneal macrophage count and phagocytic activity Phagocytosis... 

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