Many helpful guides cover immunology which is the study of the immune system and how the body defends itself against disease.

The immune system is comprised of cells, organs, small biochemicals and large molecules. The system combats pathogens and maintains human health. Due to today’s ever-increasing volume of scientific research, the immunology sector is growing exponentially.

The immune system can be defined as having two branches, namely the adaptive (specialized) and innate (general) immune responses.

The initial response is the innate immune response which provides non-specific but rapid systems of protection. Examples are physical barriers such as skin membranes. Inflammatory and cellular responses also represent innate immune responses.

Natural Killer Cells

Natural killer cells represent the third segment of the innate immune system. Their specialty is identifying the cells that become infected or that harbor tumors. The killer cells search for cells with surface changes then destroy the surface of the cells with cell toxins.

About Inflammation

When the skin is infected, immune system cells travel to the area where immune cells have been activated. Certain immune cells release substances that cause blood vessels to be enlarged. The area swells, reddens, and the result is inflammation. A fever may develop. Blood vessels expand further, and additional immune system cells arrive.

In contrast, the adaptive immune system takes over if the innate immune system is unable to kill the germs. It is made up of very specific defense mechanisms.
The National Institutes of Health define adaptive immune system responses as white blood cells called lymphocytes. They are classified as:
• B cells (antibody responses) and
• T cells (cell-mediated immune responses)
The adaptive immune system responses tend to be more accurate than the innate immune system. It is able to “remember” germs and responds quickly at their next encounter. The “memory” is the reason that a person will only get certain diseases once in their lifetime.

What Is a Biomarker?

Biomarkers are important to modern medicine. Markers have been created to have a better understanding of the immune system at the cellular and molecular level. To date, numerous prognostic tools, diagnostic markers and therapies have been created to address different conditions.
Immune biomarkers are able to detect a disease before its symptoms arise. These biomarkers can provide accurate, reproducible, and quantifiable assessments of a wide range of disorders.

About HMGB1

If elevated, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) may be an indication of an immune response to cancer, sepsis, arthritis, or stroke.
HMGB1, a protein often found in cells plays an important role in controlling gene expression and stabilizing the structure of chromosomes.