What Can One Do to Reduce the Chances of Getting Cancer (5)

Adaptive immune system

The adaptive immune comprises primarily two types of white blood cells, T lymphocytes (T cells) and B lymphocytes (B cells).  Lymphocytes are found mostly in lymph nodes; lymph nodes are located under the arms, in the neck, groin, and abdomen.  The spleen and thymus are also important lymphoid organs.  Both T cells and B cells are produced in the bone marrow; however, T cells mature in the thymus (thus also called Thymus cells), but B cells mature in the bone marrow (thus, also called bone marrow derived cells).  The adaptive (acquired) immune system is specific to individual pathogens. 

Some T cells recognize the invader and send cytokines to the immune system to counter the invaders.  Some T cells recognize the invader and kill the infected cells directly.  Yet some T cells assist B cells to make antibodies. 

B cells express B cell receptors (BCRs) on the surface to help bind to specific antigens and initiate specific antibody response.  The Y shaped antibodies are made by B cells with the assistance of T cells.  Antibodies match and stick to antigens on the surface of the invader as special labels for the immune system to attack. 

The adaptive immune system remembers the antigen and is able to produce a quick antibody response if the same pathogen invades again.

If a human body is a nation, the adaptive immune system is similar to more flexible specific/special defense forces, such as FBI, CIA, local police, or national guards, which is more specific, more flexible, and more task-oriented.  As the name may imply, adaptive immune system is adjustable to its environment and is antigen-specific.  Its response is tailored to specific foreign invaders (pathogens or pathogen infected cells).  The amazing power of adaptive immune system is that the specific response to a specific pathogen is maintained in the body for a very long time so that when the body is attacked by the same pathogen again, the adaptive immune system will fight against it quickly.

In cancer patients, sometimes the body’s natural defense system is not functioning satisfactorily.  Therefore, when cancer cells are present, they are not detected or destroyed, but allowed to grow without much resistance.  This is why restoration of the body’s self-defense (immune system) is very important for cancer patients.  

© Jiajiu Shaw, 2017

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book I wrote, "IS CANCER IN US", published recently.

What Can One Do to Reduce the Chances of Getting Cancer (4)

Innate Immune system

The innate immune system is evolutionally older; it is the dominant but non-specific protective system in human being.  It has several components including (1) the skin and surface barriers, (2) inflammation, (3) complement system, and (4) others.

The outermost layer of our skin comprises primarily one type of protective cells, keratinocytes, which serve as a general barrier to protect us against outside invaders, including bacteria, viruses, UV light, etc.  If the outside invader breaks into the skin (e.g., through a cut), keratinocytes can also produce proinflammatory biomolecules, such as TNF-α, as an additional layer of protection.  In one of our studies, we showed that UV light elevated levels of TNF-α released from an artificial skin and one of our compounds, UTL-5d, lowered TNF-α levels, indicating that it may be a potential ant-inflammatory agent.  Generally, elevated TNF-α levels indicate that inflammation is on its way. 

Other surface barriers in the body include the lungs and the GI tract; each has its own way to protect the body from outside invaders.  One specific example is mucus, which works to trap and expel outside invaders.

Another component of the innate immune system is complement system, which assist antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear pathogens.  The complement system comprises a number of proteins in blood.  When stimulated by outside invaders, specific protein(s) will be cleaved to release cytokines and initiate further immune responses to protect the body.

 Assuming a human body is a nation, the innate immune system is similar to a more rigid pre-structured national defense system, air force, army, navy, and marine.  In addition, the innate immune system can also recruit immune cells to sites of infection, through the production of special chemicals, such as cytokines.  It can also activate the complement cascade to identify bacteria, and remove foreign substances by white blood cells.

Furthermore, the innate immune system can also activate the adaptive immune system by antigen presentation.  This is very similar to a real life situation wherein a special situation in a foreign country requires Department of Defense (Innate immune system) to organize a special force (adaptive immune system) to counter and resolve the situation.

Note: 

What are Cytokines?

Cytokines are signaling proteins for cell to cell communication and interactions.  They are important regulators of both the innate and adaptive immune systems.  Examples of cytokines include interleukins (IL), interferons, and tumor necrosis factors (TNF).  Cytokines are different from hormones in that almost all cells are capable of producing cytokines whereas hormones are secreted by discrete glands.

© Jiajiu Shaw, 2017

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book I wrote, "IS CANCER IN US", published recently.

What Can One Do to Reduce the Chances of Getting Cancer (3)

Immune System

Nature provides a nearly perfect self-defense system in everyone’s body, the immune system.  The human immune system comprises a number of biological components and processes; it is a very complicated and powerful self-defense system born with us to fight against almost anything that invades our bodies.  Without the amazing immune system to protect us, most people will die quickly under the normal environment.

Let’s use an analogy to explain the immune system in a simple way; this time, let’s use a country to represent a human body.  As shown in my book, IS CANCER IN US, a country’s national defense system can be divided into two subsystems: (1) traditional system for general national defense including air force, navy, and army; (2) task-oriented forces for more specific tasks including FBI, CIA, local police, and national guard.  The traditional defense system of a nation is similar to the innate immune system in a human body; the flexible and more task-oriented national defense is similar to the adaptive immune system in a human body.

© Jiajiu Shaw, 2017

Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book I wrote, "IS CANCER IN US", published recently.