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Immunostimulation is one of the ways to increase the body's immunity. For this purpose, so-called immunostimulants are used - they can be fragments of microorganisms, and plant substances. How does immunostimulation work and is it effective?

Contents:

  1. Immunostimulation - specific and non-specific immune response
  2. Immunostimulation - when to use?
  3. Immunostimulation - bacterial immunostimulators
  4. Immunostimulation - fungal immunostimulators
  5. Immunostimulation - plant immunostimulators
  6. Immunostimulation - synthetic immunostimulators
  7. Immunostimulation - probiotics

Immunostimulationmeans raising or strengthening our immune response through the use of the so-called immunostimulants. Immunostimulants can be, among others. fragments of dead bacterial cells (lysates), substances of plant origin. Each immunostimulator will affect different arms of the immune response.

It should also be borne in mind that immunostimulants work in a very complex way, because in addition to strengthening certain arms of the immune response (usually those beneficial from the he alth point of view), they will also suppress others (usually less beneficial from the he alth point of view).

Immunostimulation - specific and non-specific immune response

Immunostimulation can undergo both specific and non-specific immune responses. Non-specific mechanisms include elements that are so-called first line of defense. These are food cells (e.g. macrophages), the complement system, lysozyme and natural barriers and secretions such as mucous membranes, skin, saliva, mucus or tears.

Non-specific mechanisms are less precise in the immune response, but they act very quickly, preventing the spread of microbes throughout the body. At the same time, they allow time to mobilize specific mechanisms that need more time to develop their capabilities (even several weeks), but are much more precise in operation.

The specific immune response includes, among others B lymphocytes and the immune proteins they produce - antibodies. Stimulation through immunostimulation of immunity, both specific andas well as non-specific, it is an effective protection against recurrent infections of the respiratory and urinary systems as well as ear inflammation and sinusitis.

Immunostimulation - when to use?

We should take care of our immunity throughout, but in periods of increased incidence of respiratory tract infections (e.g. autumn and winter) it is of particular importance, as it will allow us to avoid the development of an infection with greater probability. However, in the event that we catch something, our body will cope with the infection and complications of the disease more easily.

Usually the cause of immunostimulation, especially in children, are frequent seasonal colds, which are the most common reason for patients visiting their GP. Common cold is a disease caused mainly by viral infections of the upper respiratory tract (most often rhinoviruses). Common cold symptoms include swelling of the mucosa, runny nose, sore throat, headache and fever.

The increased incidence of colds among children is due to the still immature immune system, which is still learning to deal with various pathogens. Immunodeficiencies can be the result of both decreased cellular reactivity (e.g., T lymphocytes), insufficient B-cell antibodies, and a decreased mucosal response.

There are preparations (vaccines) containing immunotimulators available on the market. Their role is to stimulate and strengthen the immune system in the fight against recurrent infections of the respiratory system, but also urinary tract infections, and inflammation of the ears and sinuses.

Immunostimulation - bacterial immunostimulators

Bacterial immunostimulators (vaccines) are one of the best-studied substances with immunostimulatory activity, and their effectiveness has been demonstrated in many clinical trials. Their use can reduce the number of respiratory tract infections by up to 40%.

Such preparations usually contain lysates of various pathogenic bacteria, e.g.

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • sticksKlebsiella pneumoniae
  • półinkiNeiserria catarrhalis

These are most often bacterial cells subjected to enzyme action or chemical degradation, therefore they are not capable of causing infection, but may stimulate an immune response.

Vaccines can be a mixture of different species of bacteria, e.g. Luivac (Staphylococcus aureus lysate, Streptococcous mitis, Streptococcous pyogenes, Streptococcous pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae) or single ones, e.g. Uro-Vaxom.Escherichia coli). They differ from conventional vaccines in the form of subcutaneous injections in that they are administered by the oral or nasal route.

Bacterial immunostimulators activate and strengthen the immune system through:

  • increasing the cytotoxic and phagocytic activity of phagocytic cells (macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils)
  • increasing NK cell activity
  • activation of dendritic cells and increasing their ability to present antigens
  • increased migration of immune cells to the respiratory tract
  • increased secretion of antiviral cytokines
  • increase in the concentration of IgA antibodies and IgG antibodies
  • increasing the activity of T lymphocytes and their ability to activate other mechanisms of specific immune response

Immunostimulation - fungal immunostimulators

Polysaccharides found in the cell wall of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and fungi, e.g. beta-glucan, are also used as immunostimulants.

Beta-glucan has been shown to increase the number of T cells and the activity of macrophages, and to decrease the activity of NK cells and the complement system. Beta-glucan has been shown to reduce the incidence of recurrent respiratory infections in children.

Immunostimulation - plant immunostimulators

The oldest group of immunostimulants are products of plant origin. Echinacea is one of the most popular. Echinacea is a plant from the Asteraceae family with properties that improve the functioning of the immune system, among others. by stimulating the activity of food cells, e.g. macrophages.

The use of Echinacea preparations prevents colds and shortens its duration. The preparations available on the market can be prepared from three different species of plants: Echinacea, narrow-leaved or pale coneflower.

Immunostimulation - synthetic immunostimulators

There are also preparations with immunostimulating properties that contain synthetic chemicals. An example of such an immunostimulator is inosine pranobex, which is a mixture of inosine with 4-acetamidobenzoic acid and 1-dimethylamino-2-propanol in a 1: 3 ratio.

This substance has immunostimulatory activity and slight antiviral activity. It has been shown that inosine pranobex increases the cell division of T lymphocytes, the activity of NK cells and stimulates the production of certain cytokines, e.g. interleukin-2.

Immunostimulation - probiotics

In recent years, the importance of intestinal microorganisms inhabiting our intestines (intestinal microbiota) in shapingimmunity. Hence, probiotics, i.e. live microorganisms, which when consumed in the right amount can have a beneficial effect on human he alth, are gaining more and more importance in immunostimulation.

Clinical trials have confirmed that the Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG strain is effective in preventing respiratory tract infections in children attending nurseries and kindergartens. For adults, clinical data are inconclusive.

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About the authorKarolina Karabin, MD, PhD, molecular biologist, laboratory diagnostician, Cambridge Diagnostics Polska A biologist by profession, specializing in microbiology, and a laboratory diagnostician with over 10 years of experience in laboratory work. A graduate of the College of Molecular Medicine and a member of the Polish Society of Human Genetics. Head of research grants at the Laboratory of Molecular Diagnostics at the Department of Hematology, Oncology and Internal Diseases of the Medical University of Warsaw. She defended the title of doctor of medical sciences in the field of medical biology at the 1st Faculty of Medicine of the Medical University of Warsaw. Author of many scientific and popular science works in the field of laboratory diagnostics, molecular biology and nutrition. On a daily basis, as a specialist in the field of laboratory diagnostics, he runs the content department at Cambridge Diagnostics Polska and cooperates with a team of nutritionists at the CD Dietary Clinic. He shares his practical knowledge on diagnostics and diet therapy of diseases with specialists at conferences, training sessions, and in magazines and websites. She is particularly interested in the influence of modern lifestyle on molecular processes in the body.

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Category:

Immune system