Читать книгу Pathy's Principles and Practice of Geriatric Medicine - Группа авторов - Страница 72

The immune system’s role is to discriminate between self‐antigens and foreign antigens and start a cascade of inflammation via cells and cytokines when necessary to rid the body of foreign antigens. Thus, the immune system is primarily responsible for protecting the body against infections and malignant cells. The immune system consists of inflammatory cells, such as neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells; proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukins and TNF; complement proteins; and immunoglobulins. All of them are triggered or inhibited by the others, and they work in harmony to prevent too much activation or an inadequate immune response. The principal cells managing this cascade are T and B lymphocytes. Immune system cells originate from the bone marrow, peripheral lymphoid tissues, spleen, and liver.