Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

innate immunity 277
• MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES (MABS), which stimulate
specific ANTIBODY activity
Vaccines are among the most effective and basic
forms of immunotherapy. A VACCINE introduces a
substance such as a VIRUS or strain of BACTERIA into
the body at a level significant enough to stimulate
an immune response yet mild enough to avoid
establishing INFECTION in most people. Researchers
are now exploring ways to apply the principles of
vaccines to cancer treatment and CANCER PREVEN-
TION. CANCER VACCINES, currently in investigational
studies, attempt to modify the immune response
by creating antibodies that will recognize the antigens
on cancer cells should the cancer recur after
initial treatment.
See also CANCER TREATMENT OPTIONS AND DECI-
SIONS; GENE THERAPY; LEUKOCYTE; LYMPHOCYTE;
NATURAL KILLER (NK) CELL; T-CELL LYMPHOCYTE; VAC-
CINE.
inflammation The release of fluid (PLASMA) from
the BLOOD vessels into the tissues, facilitating the
movement of key immune proteins and other
molecules to the site of injury or INFECTION. Inflammation
is the mechanism of the IMMUNE RESPONSE
for containing and mitigating whatever damage
has occurred. PROSTAGLANDINS, which mast cells
release, are the primary instigators of the inflammatory
response. Inflammation occurs as a coupling
of increased blood circulation to the area
with increased capillary permeability (the amount
of fluid the capillaries allow to escape into the
spaces between cells). Though inflammation
accompanies infection, it does not always indicate
that an infective process is under way.
Plasma, the liquid portion of the blood, contains
numerous immune elements, including antibodies,
CYTOKINES, and complement factors.
Swelling, which is the hallmark of inflammation,
indicates that this mechanism is succeeding in getting
the necessary immune elements to the site.
IMMUNOGLOBULIN E (IgE) and certain of the
cytokines are instrumental in the inflammation
process. Inflammation typically causes swelling,
PAIN, FEVER, and often redness of the SKIN at the site
of the inflammation. When joints are inflamed, as
in RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, the JOINT often feels stiff
and has limited range of motion. TENDONITIS and
BURSITIS are also common presentations of inflammation.
Treatment for inflammation is often NON-
STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDS), DIS-
EASE-MODIFYING ANTIRHEUMATIC DRUGS (DMARDS), or
CORTICOSTEROID MEDICATIONS, depending on the
cause. When appropriate, ice to the local area provides
relief from pain and helps contract the blood
vessels to slow the flow of blood. The latter, in
turn, reduces the amount of fluid that enters the
tissues. Reducing use of the affected area facilitates
HEALING and the body’s reabsorption of the
excess interstitial fluid, though movement to keep
the joints from stiffening is also important. PHYSI-
CAL THERAPY, TAI CHI, YOGA, and MASSAGE THERAPY
are among the methods that help maintain mobility
and FLEXIBILITY. Treatment also targets the circumstance
causing the inflammation whenever
possible, such as any underlying injury or condition.
For further discussion of inflammation within
the context of the structures and functions of the
immune system, please see the overview section
“The Immune System and Allergies.”
See also ANALGESIC MEDICATIONS; ANTIBODY; ANTI-
GEN; COMPLEMENT CASCADE; MAST CELL.
innate immunity The level of immune protection
with which an individual is born. Researchers
believe innate immunity, also called natural
immunity, is the result of genetically encoded
PATHOGEN recognition—that is, GENE-regulated ability
to identify and mount an IMMUNE RESPONSE to
neutralize certain BACTERIA, viruses, and other substances
capable of causing INFECTION or otherwise
doing harm to the body. The immune cell receptors
recognize key characteristics of molecular
structure common to many pathogens, called
pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs),
rather than specific pathogens. Their response
does not require prior exposure before activation;
thus PAMPs respond immediately to the presence
of pathogens that fit the pattern. Innate immunity
is species specific, which is why most infections
cannot pass from one species to another.
Pathogens capable of infecting multiple species are
those that mutate for each species.
For further discussion of immunity within the
context of the structures and functions of the