humoral immunity

hu·mor·al im·mu·ni·ty

immunity associated with circulating antibodies, in contradistinction to cellular immunity. The inherent range of activity of antibody specificities is wide but proliferation of antigen-specific B cells occurs rapidly during infections leading to rapid increases in antibody titers with enhanced affinity for the inciting agent, and a more effective and directed response.

humoral immunity

n.

Immunity involving the transformation of B-lymphocytes into plasma cells that produce and secrete antibodies to a specific antigen.

humoral immunity

[hyo̅o̅′mərəl]

Etymology: L, humor, liquid, immunis, freedom

a form of immunity mediated by circulating antibodies (immunoglobulins IgA, IgB, and IgM), which coat the antigens and target them for destruction by polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Circulating antibodies are produced by plasma cells of the reticuloendothelial system. The interaction of antibody with antigen also activates the complement system. Compare cellular immunity. See also antigen-antibody reaction.

hu·mor·al im·mu·ni·ty

(hyū'mŏr-ăl i-myū'ni-tē)

Immunity associated with circulating antibodies, in contradistinction to cellular immunity.

HUMORAL IMMUNITY

humoral immunity

The protective activities of antibodies against infection or reinfection by common organisms, e.g., streptococci and staphylococci. B lymphocytes with receptors to a specific antigen react when they encounter that antigen by producing plasma cells (which produce antigen-specific antibodies) and memory cells (which enable the body to produce these antibodies quickly in the event that the same antigen appears later). B-cell differentiation also is stimulated by interleukin-2 (IL-2) secreted by CD4+ T cells and foreign antigens processed by macrophages.

Antibodies produced by plasma B cells, found mainly in the blood, spleen, and lymph nodes, neutralize or destroy antigens in several ways. They kill organisms by activating the complement system; neutralize viruses and toxins released by bacteria; coat the antigen (opsonization) or form an antigen-antibody complex to stimulate phagocytosis; promote antigen clumping (agglutination); and prevent the antigen from adhering to host cells.

Synonym: B-cell–mediated immunity See: illustration; cell-mediated immunity; immunoglobulin

See also: immunity

humoral immunity,

n a defense system of the immune system, including antibodies and sensitized white cells that are produced to fight specific pathogens.

humoral

effects carried out via the fluids of the body.

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humoral acupuncture mechanisms

thought to be β-endorphins released by the pituitary.

humoral immunity

immunity based on antibody. See humoral immunity.

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immunity

1. the condition of being immune; security against a particular disease; nonsusceptibility to the invasive or pathogenic effects of microorganisms or helminth parasites or to the toxic effect of antigenic substances. Called also functional or protective immunity.

2. responsiveness to antigen that leads to more rapid binding or elimination of antigen than in the nonimmune state; it includes both humoral and cell-mediated immunity (below).

3. the capacity to distinguish foreign material from self, and to neutralize, eliminate or metabolize that which is foreign (non-self) by the physiological mechanisms of the immune response.

The mechanisms of immunity are essentially concerned with the body's ability to recognize and dispose of substances which it interprets as foreign and sometimes harmful to its well-being. When such a substance enters the body, complex chemical and mechanical activities are set into motion to defend and protect the body's cells and tissues. The foreign substance, usually a protein, is called an antigen, that is, one which generates the production of an antagonist. The most readily recognized response to the antigen is the production of antibody. The antigen-antibody reaction is an essential component of the overall immune response. Of equal or greater importance to antibody, particularly for some antigens, is the development of so-called cell-mediated immune response, which involves clonal expansion of specifically reactive T lymphocytes including cytotoxic T lymphocytes (T_c lymphocytes) which play a major role in eliminating the foreign antigens that are cell associated.

Immunological responses in animals can be divided into two broad categories: humoral immunity, which refers to the production of antibody which becomes part of the body fluids (humors), especially serum, and cell-mediated or cellular immunity, which involves a variety of activities designed to destroy or at least contain cells that are recognized by the body as expressing foreign antigens on their cell surface, e.g. viral antigens. Both types of response are mediated by lymphocytes that originate in the bone marrow as stem cells and later are converted into mature cells having specific properties and functions.

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acquired immunity

antigen specific immunity attributable to the production of antibody and of specific immune T lymphocytes (responsible for cell-mediated immunity), following exposure to an antigen, or passive transfer of antibody or immune lymphoid cells (adoptive immunity).

active immunity

that which follows exposure to an antigen; acquired immunity attributable to the presence of antibody or of immune lymphoid cells formed in response to antigenic stimulus. Called also adaptive immunity.

adoptive immunity

passive immunity of the cell-mediated type conferred by the administration of sensitized lymphocytes from an immune donor to a naive recipient.

artificial immunity

includes acquired (active) immunity produced by deliberate exposure to an antigen, such as a vaccine or the administration of antibody (passive).

cellular immunity

dependent upon T lymphocytes which are sensitized by first exposure to a specific antigen. Subsequent exposure stimulates the release of a group of substances known as lymphokines, such as interferon, and interleukins as well as direct killing by cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

functional immunity

see immunity (above).

humoral immunity

mediated by antibodies formed by antigen-specific B lymphocytes. Each B lymphocyte has monomeric IgM receptors which capture specific antigen, initiating production of the specific immunoglobulins. B lymphocytes activated by the presence of their specific antigen undergo transformation, lymphocyte blastogenesis, whereby they become metabolically active, divide, and some mature to plasma cells, which are major producers of antibodies. Some cells revert to small lymphocytes, 'memory' cells, and the expanded clone of these cells, on re-exposure to the antigen, undergo further lymphocyte blastogenesis, leading to further increased antibody production and numbers of memory cells.

There are two types of humoral immune response: primary and secondary. The primary response begins immediately after the inital contact with an antigen; the resulting antibody, predominantly IgM, appears 48 to 72 hours later. The secondary response occurs within 24 to 48 hours and produces large quantities of predominantly IgG. The secondary response persists much longer than the primary response and is the result of repeated contact with the antigens.

innate immunity, native immunity, natural immunity

natural immunity resulting from the genetic makeup of the host, before exposure to an antigen.

maternal immunity

that acquired by the neonate by transplacental transfer of immunoglobulins or from ingestion of colostrum or via the yolk sac in the case of birds. The placentation of all agricultural animals precludes trans-placental transfer of immunoglobulin. Passive transfer of maternal immunity is effected by the transfer of immunoglobulilns present in high concentration in the first milk, colostrum, through the intestine of the newborn. The success of this transfer is dependent upon the time after birth that colostrum is ingested (physiologically 24-36 hours, but effectively for adequate transfer, 8 hours after birth) and on the mass of immunoglobulin ingested which is determined by the concentration of immunoglobulin in colostrum and the amount of colostrum ingested.

Failure of passive transfer results in a significant increase in risk for neonatal disease. Neonates that fail to acquire serum concentrations of IgG₁ greater than 10 mg/ml are at significantly higher risk of septicemic, enteric and respiratory disease. Failure of passive transfer occurs as a result of neonates sucking the dam or acquiring colostrum by artificial feeding too late in the absorptive process, or by receiving too little colostrum or receiving colostrum with low immunoglobulin concentration. See also passive immunity (below) and colostral immunoglobulin.

natural immunity

see innate immunity (above).

passive immunity

the transfer of antibodies from a donor in which they were produced to a recipient for temporary immunity. Can be in the form of serum or colostrum or yolk. Significant transplacental transfer of antibodies is found in primates, but does not occur in domestic animals. Passive immunity in domestic mammals comes via the colostrum, with its high concentration of antibodies, and the more than normally pervious epithelium of the neonate's intestinal epithelium. In birds maternal antibody is transferred to the yolk, from where the developing chick embryo absorbs it from about day 11 of incubation. See also passive immunization.

protective immunity

see immunity (above).