Question

Can immune system evolve to protect us from helminthes and protozoan parasites? Can the generation of antigen specific T and B cells response to plant, human, dog, insect or bacteria?

Answer 1

Immune system : Immune system refers to cells or proteins which are activated in our body in response to foreign body i. e antigens. When foreign particle enters into the body our immune system generates specific antibodies against antigen fights against it and eliminates it from our body. This immune response helps us to protect us from diseases.

Yes immune system protect us from protozoan and helminthes parasities when invaded into the body.

Different Protozoans vary greatly in their structural and biochemical properties and stimulates differnt patterns of immune responses in the host. Protozoans activate quite distinct specific immune response which are  different from the immune response of bacteria, viruses and fungi. Protozoans are phagocytozed by macrophages in defense mechanism by the host but many protozoans are resistant to macrophages and even replicate within the macrophages.

For example, Leishmania species infections cellular defense mechanisms depend upon CD4+, T-lymphocytes and activate macrophages which act as effector cells that are regulated by the cytokines of the host. Protozoan infections can activate diverse defence mechanism which can cellular or humoral response.

Helminths are invertebrate animals or also called worms. Phagocytic action can be seen in these type of infections. Phagocytes in particular macrophages and dendritic cells get activated, recognize helminth parasites , becomes activated and induce effector immune response in the host cell. Innate immune cells such as macrophages (Mo), dendritic cells (DCs), eosinophils, basophils, and mast cells gets activated in response to Helminths infection.

Another characteristic feature of Helminth infection is that they are able to adapt host cell environment in a dynamic way so that they are able to survive for a longer period of time in the host cells.

Antigen specific T cells and B cells are generated in the host system in response to insect or bacteria. These T cells and B cells work in tandem and helps in elimination of antigen. T cells recognize viral antigens outside the infected cells whereas B cells can recognize surface antigens of bacteria and viruses.