The Latest Advances In Drug Manipulations Of The Immune System Essays

INTRODUCTIONIn order to provide a detailed analysis of recent pharmacological developments involving the human tolerant system, it is first necessary to introduce the innate and adaptive immune responses . Immunosuppressants and immunomodulators testament be differentiated between and a selection of new and often observational drugs belonging to each category impart 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 franchise nescient underground 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 IMMUNITYThe adaptive imm une system is split into two mechanisms humoral resistance 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 IMMUNITYHumoral or antibody-mediated immunity is associated with B-lymphocyte cells. Antigens are foreign molecules that initiate an immune response, they have inherent immunogenicity (Tortora & antiophthalmic factor Grabowski, 1996). Upon contact with an antigen, B-cells divide to produce a clone of plasma cells overt of the production of antibodies. Antibodies are immunoglobulins, modified blood proteins with a specific activeness against antigens. Five main sub-types of immunoglobulins have been identified of which IgG is the most huge in bodily fluids (Hopkins, 1995). Several cells are known to initiate the move of plasma cell differentiation and are known collectively as antigen presenting cells (APCs) (Waller & antiophthalmic factor Renwick, 1994).LymphokinesThe 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. Ex antiophthalmic factorles of these chemicals include interleukins, interferon and tumour necrosis factors. Their action involves the ordination 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.htmlKahan, 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.htmlNijk adenylic acid, 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.htmlSchultze, J. & Johnson, P. (1999) A Stimulating New Target for Cancer Immunotherapy IN The lance vol. 354, Oct. 9, 1999, pp1225-1226Stadtlander Drug Distribution Co. Inc. (1998) Investigational Immunosuppressants for Transplantation AT <a href="http//www.stadtlander.com/ gambol/immunosuppren.html">http//www.stadtlander.com/feature/immunosuppren.htmlSwope, 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