Tag: diseases and immunity

A-Cyclophosphamide CP known as cytophoshphane among other names is a medication used as chemotherapy and to suppress the immune system. Chemotherapy is used to treat lymphoma, multiple myeloma, leukemia, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, small cell lung cancer, neuroblastoma, and sarcoma.

Cyclosporin is an effective immunosuppressant used in the treatment of autoimmune disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis) and in organ transplantation to prevent rejection. Cyclosporin lowers the activity of T-cells and hence, suppressing the activity of the immune system. Cyclosporin was isolated from the fungus Tolypocladium inflatum. Common side effects include high blood pressure, headache, kidney problems, increased hair growth, and vomiting. So, the correct answer is 'Immunosuppressant'.

Immunoglobulins are the proteinaceous substances produced by the immune cells (B cell) that function as antibodies. The terms antibody and immunoglobulin are often used interchangeably. Thus, the correct answer is option A.

Antibodies are small proteinaceous substance made by the immune cells. Antibodies attach to proteins and other chemicals in the body, which they recognise to be not normally found in the body ('foreign'). The foreign proteins and chemicals that antibodies attach to are called as antigens. Thus, the correct answer is option A.

• Antibodies are produced by specialized white blood cells called B lymphocytes (or B cells).
• B lymphocytes are activated on their encounter with foreign agents. These foreign particles act as foreign markers.
• The B-cells immediately differentiate into plasma cells and memory cells. The plasma cells produce antibodies specific to that foreign particle or so-called antigen.
  
• These antibodies attach to the surface of the antigen/foreign agent.
  
• These antibodies detect any antigen in the body and destroy it.
  
• Hence Antibodies are formed by Plasma cells.
• So, the correct answer is 'Plasma cells'.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is a type of antibody that has been found only in mammals. IgE is synthesised by plasma cells. IgE also has an essential role in type I hypersensitivity which includes allergic diseases, such as allergic asthma, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, food allergies, and specific types of chronic urticaria and atopic dermatitis.

A lymphocyte is one of the subtypes of white blood cell in a vertebrate's immune system. Lymphocytes include natural killer cells (which function in cell-mediated, cytotoxic innate immunity), T cells (for cell-mediated, cytotoxic adaptive immunity), and B cells (for humoral, antibody-driven adaptive immunity). They are the main type of cell found in lymph. Lymphocytes are involved in the activation of the immune system. Hence, B-lymphocytes are involved in the production of an antibody.