Marshall Jean S, Upton Julia E M, Vliagoftis Harissios, Hildebrand Kyla J, Byrne Adam, Watson Wade
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
Division of Immunology and Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, Temerty School of Medicine, University of Toronto, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2024 Dec 19;20(Suppl 3):69. doi: 10.1186/s13223-024-00932-5.
The body has a collection of physical barriers to prevent infection, but once these are overcome, we rely on our immune systems to protect us against a wide variety of infections. The complex mechanisms through which this is achieved are grouped into two lines of defense called the "innate" and "adaptive" immune systems. The innate immune system provides a rapid and tailored response to infection or injury often associated with inflammation. Innate immunity also promotes the development of acquired immunity. Specific, long-lasting responses against a particular infection are dependent on acquired immunity, and these provide immune memory, such that if we encounter the same pathogen again, we are better protected. Many diseases are related to defects in immune function which can lead to either a weakened or overactive immune response. Autoimmune diseases (where the immune system attacks tissues or organs) and allergies (where the immune system responds inappropriately to substances in our environment) are just two examples of conditions resulting from immune function defects. Improved understanding of immune processes provides tremendous opportunities for enhanced immunization strategies and immune-based therapies. This article provides an overview of the main components and functions of the immune system, and also serves as a primer to help readers understand the immunopathological disorders discussed in the remainder of this supplement.
人体有一系列物理屏障来预防感染，但一旦这些屏障被突破，我们就依靠免疫系统来保护我们抵御各种各样的感染。实现这一目标的复杂机制分为两道防线，即“先天”免疫系统和“适应性”免疫系统。先天免疫系统对感染或损伤会迅速做出针对性反应，这种反应通常与炎症相关。先天免疫还促进获得性免疫的发展。针对特定感染的特异性、持久反应依赖于获得性免疫，这些反应提供免疫记忆，这样如果我们再次遇到相同的病原体，就能得到更好的保护。许多疾病与免疫功能缺陷有关，免疫功能缺陷可能导致免疫反应减弱或过度活跃。自身免疫性疾病（免疫系统攻击组织或器官）和过敏（免疫系统对我们环境中的物质做出不适当反应）只是免疫功能缺陷导致的病症中的两个例子。对免疫过程的深入了解为改进免疫策略和基于免疫的疗法提供了巨大机遇。本文概述了免疫系统的主要组成部分和功能，同时也作为一篇入门文章，帮助读者理解本增刊其余部分所讨论的免疫病理障碍。
