Immune system Flashcards
Roles and implications of the immune system
Identify and neutralise pathogens
Distinguish self vs. non-self
Distinguish pathological vs. non-harmful antigens
Repair the site of injury or damage
Tumour surveillance (last!)
Implications of dysfunction of the immune system
Increased susceptibility to infection
Increased susceptibility to autoimminity
Allergies and autoimmunity (cross reactivity)
Insufficient: or incomplete repair, scarring.
Excessive: cell damage, chronic inflammation
Inability to recognise and kill abnormal cancer cells
Main nutrients for immunity
C Dazes
C
D
A
Zinc
E
Selenium
Internal threats and immune under -reactions
AI condition, ie: Hashimotos thyroiditis, RA, IBD, T1DM)
Under-reaction: cancer, re-activated viruses (ie: shingles)
External threats and immune under reactions
Allergic reactions (hay fever, food allergies)
Food intolerances
Under reaction: infection (bacterial, parasite, viral, fungal).
What effect does a compromised gut microbiome have on immunity?
Pathogens may become more harmful. GI health essential in resilience.
Innate immune system
External (first line of defence)
physical barriers (skin, mucus membranes)
chemical barriers (sebum, sweat, HCl, tears, mucus and sIgA, cerumen, tissue fluids, vaginal bacteria)
Internal (second line of defence)
phagocytes (monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, eosonophils)
inflammatory response basophils/mast cells
Fever
Interferons
Complement system
Natural killer cells
Acquired / adaptive immune system
Specific defence mechanism (third line of defence).
T Helper cells up or down regulate immune response
Barrier tissues in immunity
Very robust defence if we have good secretions with antimicrobial properties.
Probiotic bacteria secrete lactic acid and natural antibiotics
MALT/GALT (ie: tonsils, Peyer’s patches) contain B cells which secrete sIgA.
What are PAMPs and DAMPs?
Recognition patterns displayed. Pathogen/damage associated molecular patterns
What are APCs?
Antigen presenting cells: innate cells present themselves to adaptive immune system for more tailored response to specific threat
T Helper cells differentiation
After antigen presentation:
Th1, Th2, Th17, T-reg cells
Functions of T helper cells
Th1: defence against intracellular pathogens (viruses)
Th2: defence against exracellular threats (parasites)
Th17: defence against extracellular pathogens
T-reg cells: modulate and deactivate immune response
Th1 vs Th2 dominance
See saw effect, one drives the other
Th1 dominance: drives chronic inflammation and AI
Th2 dominance: drives allergies, inc. asthma
Causes and risks of low immunity
Poor nutrition/nutrient deficiencies
Immunosupressants, ie: corticosteroids
Gut/microbiome: low sIgA, PPI’s, NSAIDS, steroids
Impaired barrier defencess
Emotional (fear), chemical (smoking), physical stress (overtraining)
Poor sleep
Heavy metal toxicity
Blood glucose dysregulation
Poor energy delivery mechanisms (CFS)
Disrupted methylation
Low vit D status, inc. SNPs, ie: VDR or VDBP (less effective binding/transport of vit D)
Supporting immunity
CNM naturopathic diet
Avoid sugar, acohol, caffeine
Support sleep, reduce stress, toxic exposure
Digestion, GI Health
What are toll-like receptors
toll-like receptors on cell membranes, esp. on macrophages and dendritic cells on skin interract with PAMPs and DAMPs. They recognise damage and trigger inflammatory cytokines via NFKb pathway.
Vitamins for immunity
Vitamin A (lymphatic tissues and immune cells)
Vitamin C (innate and adaptive immunity)
Zinc (inhibits viral replication, permeability of barriers)
Probiotics
Vitamin D (enhances innate immunity, increases regulatory T cells)
Beta Glucans (innate and adaptive immunity)
Nutrients for during infection
As immune support with larger doses and:
elderberry (prevents cell entry)
echinacea (4000mg)
Lysine (1-3g)
What is the Cytokine storm sydrome
An excess of pro-inflammatory cytokines which can cause lung tissue damage, respiratory diseases, pneumonia or death!
COVID 19 risk factors
Obesity, CVD, NAFLD, diabetes
Vitamin D deficiency
Gut dysbiosis, particularly Bifidobacterium spp. Faecalbacterium prausnitizii and Eubacterium rectale found Covid 19 patients
Naturopathic approach to Covid 19
Support stress, sleep, blood glucose, toxic load, oxidative stress. Healthy weight management.
Optimal ranges of vit D
Microbiome support
Quercetin, resveratrol, turmeric, berberine.
Quit smoking
Cardinal signs of chronic inflammation
Redness, heat, oedema, pain, loss of function
Define auto immunity
Chronic inflammation directed at self tissue
Define allergy
Chronic inflammation directed at non-harmful antigens
Define latent infection/scar tissue
Chronic inflammation not fully resolved
Clinical presentation of chronic inflammation
Symptoms/signs, ie: pain, swelling, joint stiffness
Diagnonsis/symptoms, ie: IBD, CVD
Related conditions, ie: depression
History of unresolved/latent infection, ie: periodontal disease, stress, overtraining
GP tests, ie: high CRP, ESR, low vit D, ultrasound
Function tests: hsCRP, high omega 6:3 ratio. Genetics: FADS 1/2, IL-6, HLA, VDR
