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WHAT
IS IMMUNOLOGY? |
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Immunology, as a scientific subject, started in the XVIII century, as a part of Microbiology. This was when the first vaccine against human smallpox appeared. Edward Jenner (1749-1923) observed that people who had suffered bovine smallpox were resistant to human small pox. These studies continued until the 19th century, when thanks to Louis Pasteur's (1822-1895) work, new technologies were developed which made possible the creation of new human and animal vaccines against different diseases . One of the first concepts defined in the development of immunology was the term "immune". It referred to those persons or animals that had survived an infection or, not having suffered it, were resistant. Two concepts then appeared: Natural Immunity and Adaptive Immunity. |
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Besides the mechanical barriers (skin, mucous secretions, low stomach pH , proteolytic enzymes, etc.) which are very important in fighting against Antigens, mammals have other non specific mechanisms as part of Natural Immunity. Natural Immunity is the first immunological non specific barrier of the pig for fighting against infections without any previous immunization. This response is produced in a few minutes or hours after the aggression, and is mediated by phagocytic cells, natural killer cells (NK) and interferon. When this first barrier fails, the infection is established, and the adaptive immunity starts to develop. The immune mechanisms related to Natural Immunity are linked with non-specific mechanisms; i.e.; they are not caused by any specific antigen. |
Natural Immunity is the
first immune and non- specific barrier. The first mediators of this natural immunity are the phagocytic
cells, natural killer cells (NK) and interferon.
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Adaptive immunity is the result of the immune response against a foreign molecule or antigen. A specific response is generated against an external stimulus. After the seizing process and the recognition of the antigen, different mechanisms of presentation and activation of the lymphocytes will start in order to produce antibodies and cytokines. |
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From the first concepts up to nowadays immunology has advanced in a progressive way. The most important advances in immunology, and particularly in porcine immunology, have been achieved in the last decades. Three developments have helped to improve knowledge of the different mechanisms in the porcine species: |
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Diagram of the production of monoclonal antibodies. First, a mouse is inoculated with the antigen to which the MA are to be produced. After this, the spleen is removed and fused with myeloma cells in order to produce the hybridomas that will be selected according to the antibody produced. |
In these ten chapters of "An Introductory Course to Swine Immunology," we will do an overview of the main components of the porcine immune system, their mechanism of action, and their most important applications. |
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© Copyright. 2001. José Manuel
Sánchez-Vizcaíno Rodríguez. All rights reserved.
Dep. Legal: B-32.422-01. ISBN: 84-699-5917-4