Transcript Immunity

Immunity
Aki, Fergus, Amber
Active Immunity
Active immunity is the production of antibodies
against a specific agent by the immune system.
Acquired in one of two ways:
• By contracting an infectious disease such as
chickenpox or measles.
• By receiving a vaccination for a disease such as
polio.
Passive Immunity
• Immunity is produced by the transfer to one
person of antibodies that were produced by
another person.
• An example of this is the transfer of antibodies
from a mother to her baby through breast
feeding (breast milk).
Natural Immunity
• Immunity produced without the help of
vaccines.
Artificial Immunity
• Immunity given to a person with the help of a
vaccine.
Production of Monoclonal
Antibodies
• Antigens that correspond to a desired antibody are injected into an
animal.
• B-cells producing the desired antibody are extracted.
• Tumor cells are obtained from another source (tumor cells grow and
divide endlessly).
• B-cells are fused with tumor cells, producing hybridoma cells that
divide endlessly, providing the desired antibodies.
• The hybridoma cells are cultured and antibodies they produce are
extracted and purified.
Use in Diagnosis and Treatment
• Monoclonal antibodies can be used to detect
even the smallest amount of toxins, drugs,
hormones, etc.
– Detection of AIDS  ELISA test
– Pregnancy  pregnancy test containing antibodies
to human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
Use in Diagnosis and Treatment
(cont.)
• Monoclonal antibodies are used to cure
diseases that were traditionally considered
‘untreatable’
– Some newly developed methods can even target
only the cell membranes of cancerous cells
– There is evidence to suggest that monoclonal
antibodies can lead to the cure for AIDS
Use in Diagnosis and Treatment
(cont.)
• Monoclonal antibodies can be used as tracing
devices
– They can be used to trace and identify specific cells
or molecules in an organism
• Monoclonal antibodies can be used to alleviate
the problem of organ rejection in people who
have had organ transplants