Immune surveillance

Definition

Immune surveillance is the process by which the immune system monitors and detects abnormal cells, such as cancerous or infected cells, to eliminate them before they can proliferate. This ongoing mechanism relies on various immune cells, particularly T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, that patrol tissues and recognize alterations in cell surface markers or signs of distress. Effective immune surveillance is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis and preventing the development of tumors.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Immune surveillance is primarily carried out by T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, which can identify and eliminate potentially harmful cells based on changes in surface markers.
2. The recognition of abnormal cells by immune cells involves the detection of stress signals and altered self-antigens, allowing for swift responses to threats.
3. Dysfunction in immune surveillance can lead to increased risk of tumor development, as cancerous cells may evade detection and grow unchecked.
4. Cancer immunotherapy often aims to enhance immune surveillance mechanisms to improve the ability of the immune system to identify and destroy tumor cells.
5. Skin-associated lymphoid tissue (SALT) plays a critical role in immune surveillance by housing specialized immune cells that monitor for pathogens and abnormal cell growth at the skin barrier.

Review Questions

• How does immune surveillance help prevent the development of tumors?
  • Immune surveillance helps prevent tumor development by continuously monitoring the body for abnormal or cancerous cells. Immune cells like T cells and natural killer (NK) cells patrol tissues, detecting changes in cell surface markers indicative of distress or malignancy. When they identify these abnormal cells, they initiate an immune response to eliminate them, thus preventing uncontrolled cell proliferation that could lead to tumor formation.
• Discuss the role of skin-associated lymphoid tissue (SALT) in enhancing immune surveillance within the skin.
  • Skin-associated lymphoid tissue (SALT) plays a vital role in enhancing immune surveillance by providing a localized environment where immune cells can efficiently monitor for pathogens and abnormal cell growth. SALT contains specialized antigen-presenting cells and lymphocytes that respond rapidly to threats encountered at the skin barrier. By facilitating interactions between different types of immune cells, SALT ensures a robust response to any alterations that could signify infection or malignancy.
• Evaluate the impact of impaired immune surveillance on cancer progression and potential therapeutic strategies to restore this function.
  • Impaired immune surveillance significantly contributes to cancer progression by allowing abnormal cells to escape detection and grow uncontrollably. This loss of function can result from various factors, including immune evasion mechanisms employed by tumors. Therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring effective immune surveillance include cancer immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell transfer, which enhance the body's ability to recognize and destroy malignant cells. These approaches not only target the tumor itself but also aim to reinvigorate the overall immune response against cancer.

Related terms

Natural Killer Cells: A type of lymphocyte that plays a key role in the innate immune response, recognizing and destroying infected or cancerous cells without prior sensitization.

Antigen Presentation:

The process by which immune cells display foreign antigens on their surface to activate other immune cells, enhancing the body's ability to detect and respond to abnormal cells.

Tumor Microenvironment: The environment surrounding a tumor, including immune cells, blood vessels, and signaling molecules, which can influence tumor growth and immune response.