We all know that our immune response is what keeps our bodies safe. This process (actually, in humans, it’s processes) is when our body distinguishes from ‘self’ to ‘other’, attacking the ‘other’ to preclude their invasion of the whole body. The system gains complexity as it adapts to recognize various pathogens (invaders) more efficiently. This is called acquired immunity (immunological memory); it is one of the reasons we get vaccinated- our body learns to respond to this pathogen and similar types- which can take from 2 days to several weeks to fully develop. This secondary response is critical for our homeostasis, our ability to remain ‘self’ and not be overtaken by ‘others’.
Drs. Busch, Zinkernagel, and Hengartner (lead researchers among 8 others) of the Technical University of Munich and the University Hospital of Zurich have found another step in this immune response. Reporting in Nature, they found that glycoprotein GPIb and complement C3 were instrumental in helping eradicate our body of Gram positive bacteria.
It seems that bacteria, when invading blood, become coated with platelets. These platelet coated microbes are then directed towards the spleen, where they are then engulfed by dendritic cells, which utilize the GPIb receptor, in conjunction with the blood protein C3, to complete the immune response. If the body lacks C3, the platelets do not engulf the bacteria and the response is left to macrophages alone.
Dendritic cells are responsible for processing antigen material so that other cells can respond (immune response), acting as messengers between the innate and adaptive immune responders. [Dendritic cells were first identified by Paul Langerhans in the late 19th century; Robert Steinman characterized them and for his work in this area was granted the Nobel Prize in Medicine this year.] Macrophages are scavengers that help the body eradicate “tired, worn-out” cells and assist with antigen presentation to rid the body of ‘others’.
And, while the macrophage alone can remove the bacteria from the body, the lack of C3 protein precludes immunologic memory- the ability of the immune system to recall the characteristics of foreign invaders, responding quickly to subsequent attacks. Having both is basically the body’s “rapid-response” system.
Given this knowledge, one hopes to harness this newfound ability of platelets, augmenting the C3 mediated response, to enable vaccines to offer even greater immunity.
Nicely written, Roy. I like the analogy of a ‘rapid response team’. Last year I attended an event discussing the pros and cons of vaccinations as an approach to fighting disease. Some were medically based. Some were emotionally based. Would be interesting to see how your analogy of ‘rapid response team’ could be used to address these issues.
Robert Ferguson recently posted..How to Increase the Competence of Others.
Our emotional state affects our well-being. And, as we have seen with the placebo effect, it is clear that when we are happy, we are less prone to some diseases. I doubt it would let us escape from a direct injection (or ingestion) of contagion, but it could alleviate the side effects.
Thanks for your comments, Robert!
Roy
I must have a strong rapid response team, because I am disgustingly healthy…I enjoyed the way you worded this Roy, made it very interesting to read what I had learned about the immune response in college in terms that were easier to understand. 😀
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Always at the ready, eh, Cath?
I am so glad that I rendered this topic clear for you. Thanks.
Roy
Loved the graphic. Just wondering – if one loses their spleen, it does seem to make it more difficult to fight off bacteria then. That self and other also makes me think that cancer cells are part of self rather than other. Lots of food for thought here
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The spleen helps- but is not the the only critical component needed to eradicate bacteria, Roberta….
Glad I gave you a meal to digest.
Roy
Call me slow but there was too much of huge terms in there for me to digest! 🙂
As I have always mentioned I do have a crappy immune system; having a cold every now and then. This might be making sense to my platelets’ ability! 🙂
Hajra recently posted..Will they call you over for a bloggers party?
Sorry this was a bit technical, Hajra. I will work harder next time.
Roy
I seem to have reached the boundaries of knowledge. There is no information on immunological memory and food. Save one study on the immunocompetence of starved Deer Mice.
How does the immunological memory function differently when reacting to ingested foods? Not with respect to scrutinizing for pathogens, but rather the array of inorganic substances (additives, chemicals).
So, Jack, first let me thank you for your comment and visit. But, I’m not sure I understand your question(s).
Are you complaining that this study found the information by studying mice, and has not investigated other animals? Or, that they only study the effects of some foods and not the ones you wished them to do? And, are you only worried about inorganic substances and not those of an organic nature?
Roy