IMMUNE SYSTEM

Overview of the Immune Response
This article provides a comprehensive explanation of how the immune system protects the body from harmful invaders like pathogens and allergens. It describes two main components: the innate immune system, which offers immediate, general defence mechanisms, and the adaptive immune system, which provides targeted, long-lasting protection by recognising specific threats. A key feature of the immune system is its ability to distinguish between the body's own cells ("self") and foreign invaders ("nonself"), a process known as self-nonself discrimination. The article also discusses how disturbances in immune function can lead to tissue damage and disease.

Immunology for Non-Immunologists: Innate vs. Adaptive Immunity
This article explains the two main parts of the immune system: innate and adaptive immunity. The innate immune system is the body’s quick, general defense against germs, using cells like white blood cells and natural killer cells. The adaptive immune system is more specific, targeting particular invaders with B cells and T cells, and it can remember past infections to respond faster next time. Helper T cells help activate other immune cells to fight off threats effectively while keeping the body safe from attacking itself.

The Interplay between the Gut Microbiome and the Immune System in the Context of Infectious Diseases throughout Life and the Role of Nutrition in Optimizing Treatment Strategies
This review highlights how the gut, which houses about 70–80% of the body's immune cells, serves as a central hub where the microbiome, the intestinal lining, and the mucosal immune system interact to defend against infections—especially in vulnerable populations such as infants and the elderly. Beyond localized gut immunity, the microbial communities in the gut can also shape systemic immune responses. The authors emphasize that nutrition plays a key role in modulating this interplay: dietary choices influence gut microbiota composition, which in turn supports immune resilience, aids infection prevention, and contributes to better health outcomes throughout life.