The Latest Advances In Drug Manipulations Of The Immune System Essays

INTRODUCTION In order to provide a detailed analysis of recent pharmacological developments involving the human immune system, it is firstly necessary to introduce the innate and adaptive immune responses . Immunosuppressants and immunomodulators will be differentiated between and a selection of new and often experimental drugs belonging to each category will be provided. Specific drugs will be described including the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics involved with each type. The possible clinical uses will be alluded to along with details from recent research. INNATE IMMUNITY Innate immunity is the first line of defence and comprises physical (skin), biochemical (complement, lysozyme) and cellular (macrophages, neutrophils) mechanisms (Katzung, 1998). All these mechanisms are non-specific, anti-microbial agents which work in conjunction with adaptive immune responses to provide a more effective system (Downie et. al., 1995). ADAPTIVE IMMUNITY The adaptive immune system is split into two mechanisms: humoral immunity and cell-mediated immunity. A basic understanding of these concepts is necessary for the purpose of understanding the specific effects of different immunopharmacological agents. HUMORAL IMMUNITY Humoral or antibody-mediated immunity is associated with B-lymphocyte cells. Antigens are foreign molecules that initiate an immune response, they have inherent immunogenicity (Tortora & Grabowski, 1996). Upon contact with an antigen, B-cells divide to produce a clone of plasma cells capable of the production of antibodies. Antibodies are immunoglobulins, modified blood proteins with a specific action against antigens. Five main sub-types of immunoglobulins have been identified of which IgG is the most abundant in bodily fluids (Hopkins, 1995). Several cells are known to initiate the process of plasma cell differentiation and are known collectively as antigen presenting cells (APCs) (Waller & Renwick, 1994). Lymphokines The antigen on the surface of the APC triggers TH-cells to produce hormone-like lymphokines (Lessof, 1993). Lymphokines are cytokines, regulators of the immune reactions which are produced by lymphocytes. Examples of these chemicals include interleukins, interferon and tumour necrosis factors. Their action involves the regulation of the proliferation, differentiation and activity of leukocytes (Dale et. al., 1994). The na... ...nours/himmun.html">http://www.pharm.uwa.edu.au/aussie/honours/himmun.html Kahan, B. D. (1998) History of Immunosuppression AT <a href="http://surgery.uth.tmc.edu/organ_transplant/historyimmu.html">http://surgery.uth.tmc.edu/organ_transplant/historyimmu.html Nijkamp, F.P. & Parnham, M. J. (1999) Principles of Immunopharmacology AT <a href="http://www.springer_ny.com/catalog/np/mar99np/3-7643-5780-0.html">http://www.springer_ny.com/catalog/np/mar99np/3-7643-5780-0.html Schultze, J. & Johnson, P. (1999) A Stimulating New Target for Cancer Immunotherapy IN The Lancet vol. 354, Oct. 9, 1999, pp1225-1226 Stadtlander Drug Distribution Co. Inc. (1998) Investigational Immunosuppressants for Transplantation AT <a href="http://www.stadtlander.com/feature/immunosuppren.html">http://www.stadtlander.com/feature/immunosuppren.html Swope, V.B; Abel-Malek, Z; Kassem, L. M. & Nordlund, J.J. (1991) Interleukins 1 Alpha & 6 & Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha are Paracrine Inhibitors of Human Melanocyte Proliferation & Melanogenesis AT <a href="http://www.biosyna.com/patent.htm">http://www.biosyna.com/patent.htm