The main task of the immune system is to protect the body from harmful infections that seek to violate the boundaries of our body and attack it. This is a rather complicated process involving a lot of chemical and biological interactions. The basis of immunity is cells: leukocytes, macrophages, B cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, T lymphocytes and others. Several organs are involved in the production of this army. Macrophages, for example, are born in the liver. But T-lymphocytes, produced in the bone marrow, undergo a stage of selection, maturation and cloning in the thymus (thymus gland), an amazing organ that then releases mature, viable and specially trained cells into the bloodstream that will recognize the enemy and not harm the host’s body. The cells of the immune system are capable of secreting signaling molecules that possess all the properties of hormones, many of which are synthesized by nerve and endocrine cells. The main place among them is occupied by cytokines, protein molecules used to transmit signals between cells. Currently, scientists have identified more than a hundred different cytokines. Their activity is realized through specialized receptors, signals from which can enhance or suppress many functions of target cells, turning their genes on and off. Usually, the immune response is carried out with the participation of several cytokines.

The immune system is formed in the womb of the mother — this type of immunity is called innate. The cells of this system have their own memory, which is how immunity to previous illnesses is formed. For some diseases, for example, for chickenpox, it is lifelong — it is an acquired (adaptive) immunity. We will pass on some of this immunity to our descendants at the genetic level. One of the main differences between innate and acquired immunity is specificity. For innate immunity, which reacts with lightning speed, there simply isn’t enough time for complex processes such as antibody synthesis. “Off your head!” — the innate immune system “screams” without much ado, like the Queen of Hearts from the well-known fairy tale “Alice in Wonderland”, and phagocytes and some varieties of T and B lymphocytes do their job. “Thoughtful” acquired immunity has other ways of protecting itself. B cells have an important task — to produce antibodies or immunoglobulins, protein molecules that are synthesized by the body in response to an antigen. It is on their work that adaptive immunity is based, which “remembers” who is forbidden to enter the body. But then why do we get sick every year, or even more often? It turns out that the cold and flu viruses have found a way to disguise themselves — permanent mutations. Antibodies cannot identify them, and familiar symptoms of the disease appear: nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, and fever.

The immune system participates in many biochemical processes. For example, macrophages help the heart maintain a proper rhythm, and T cells stimulate the division of certain stem cells. An interesting study was conducted by the staff of the Max Planck Institute of Metabolism. Scientists have shown that immune cells that prevent inflammation affect appetite. In addition, the brain constantly interferes with the immune system. It cannot be otherwise: the nervous system permeates all body tissues, including organs that synthesize and form cells of the immune system. Experts from the Japanese Institute of Physico-Chemical Research have proven that overactive immune cells suppress the work of neurotransmitters in the brain. Signals between nerve cells are transmitted worse, which affects human behavior and mental state. This also works in reverse order. Stress suppresses the division of T and B lymphocytes and, consequently, slows down their movement through the body. In such conditions, the inflammatory response is suppressed much less effectively. Medicines against cancer, one of the main diseases of modern society, are being sought all over the world. According to AMA Oncology, over the past year, more than 17.5 million people have been diagnosed with cancer, and 8.7 million people have died from a malignant tumor. The numbers are frightening. But despite this, modern medicine helps many patients to escape from death. Until recently, chemotherapy was almost the only medical way to combat cancer. By and large, it is a poison that has the same detrimental effect on both malignant and healthy cells. But a method has been devised that helps to target the “traitor” cells. The point is to force the cells of the immune system to do what they are supposed to do, but for some reason they don’t – that is, to destroy the “pests”. Usually, cancer “puts on a mask” of a healthy cell, so the immune system cannot recognize and kill it. But immunotherapy solves this problem. The cells of the immune system are taken from the body and, as it were, “trained” to fight the tumor in a special artificial organ that mimics the thymus. After such “training”, immunoglobulins are very effective in fighting certain types of cancer, for example, breast, bladder, and some types of lung cancer. The cells of the immune system are involved in cell division, metabolic control, nerve conduction, and cardiovascular regulation. Therefore, by influencing the immune system, we can fight many age-related diseases, thereby prolonging and improving our lives!

The immune system begins to age in 20-25 years. Immediately after puberty, the thymus, one of the central organs of the immune system, decreases in mass, reduces the production of lymphocytes and fills with fat: by the age of 20, half of the thymic tissue is replaced by fat, and by 50 — almost entirely! It, like other organs of the immune system, protects a person from infections and prevents the degeneration of healthy cells into cancerous ones.  Accordingly, the entire immune system weakens and stops fighting pathogens. Hence the increased likelihood of developing malignant tumors and other autoimmune diseases in old age. But modern technology and research do not stand still. For the first time in the world, Russian scientists have learned how to transplant the “heart of the immune system” in experiments on mice. In addition, no maintenance therapy is required after the transplant to prevent rejection of the organ by the immune system. Perhaps in the near future this method of “rejuvenation” will find mass application.

In 2018, Australian scientists from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research found a previously unknown micro-membrane that relates to the immune system and helps to recognize and fight viruses. It is called “subcapsular proliferative centers”. Researchers have discovered specific structures located in the upper part of human lymph nodes. It turned out that at the moment when the body is fighting infection, memory cells — B lymphocytes – accumulate in large numbers in these structures. Moreover, these structures themselves are formed temporarily, only at the time of the virus attack, which is why they could not be detected earlier. Scientists believe that this discovery will help in the development of more effective drugs for vaccination.

In the prevention of many diseases, it is very important to monitor the level of immunity. By keeping it at a high level, we can stay young and active for many years to come. And before maintaining its integrity with medical preparations, it is always better to start with natural strengthening. Physical activity plays a huge role in supporting immunity, as it keeps muscles and organs in good shape and thus leads to rapid cell renewal and rejuvenation. Proper nutrition has a positive effect on health, as with food a person receives a complex of vitamins, without which the immune system weakens. Giving up bad habits significantly improves well-being, since their abuse poisons the blood and lymph, incapacitates the nervous system and the work of many organs. Healthy sleep is very important for maintaining immunity. It is during the deep sleep phase that our body attracts all the forces to restore immune cells. Research proves that well-rested people who have received the flu vaccine have developed more reliable protection against this disease. Conversely, constant lack of sleep leads to an increase in the level of stress hormones in the blood. This promotes membrane peroxidation, and immune cells die. Positive emotions increase the internal defenses of the human body. A study by Dr. Joe Dispenza showed that the participants of the experiment, who were asked to experience sublime feelings such as love, happiness, joy and gratitude during the seminar, had a 49.5% increase in the level of immunoglobulin A. Thus, by changing your emotional background to a more positive one, the body itself increases the expression of this protein, thereby strengthening the immune system. In addition, meditation helps to relieve fatigue, irritability and strengthen the immune system. As a result of their use, a number of beneficial effects are achieved: the level of oxidative stress decreases, the activity level of telomerase (an enzyme that completes the end sections of chromosomes) increases, and the heart rate stabilizes. Such practices can normalize the body’s system and increase disease resistance.

The immune system is a “smart” biological machine, the components of which must work together to protect our body from external and internal pathogens. It is connected with vital systems, and by influencing it, many vital processes can be coordinated — from the regulation of inflammatory processes to life expectancy. By maintaining their immunity at the proper level, a person will be able to prolong their life and youth!