Beginning of Immunology

1. HISTORY OF
IMMUNOLOGY
Nidhi Saxena
Dept. of Microbiology

2. TOWARDS MODERN TIMES…
Edward Jenner
• 1798 –Edward Jenner noticed immunity
bestowed to milkmaids – injected fluid
from cowpox blister into skin of patient
(orphan or prisoner)
• 1989- WHO announced smallpox was
eradicated from the world
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3. Louis Pasteur
• 1879- discovered that old bacterial
cultures of Pasteurella lost virulence.
Referred to injection of weakened culture a
“vaccine” in honor of Jenner.
• 1881- He applied the same technique vs.
anthrax
• ….and then rabies
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4. FIRST INSIGHTS INTO MECHANICS OF
IMMUNITY
• 1880’s- Metchnikoff discovered
phagocytic cells that ingest microbes
and particles (cells conferred
immunity).
• 1890- von Behring and Kitasato
discovered blood sera could transfer
immunity (liquid of blood conferred
immunity)
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5. • 1930’s – Early techniques made it easier
to study humoral elements [than cellular
ones]. Discovery of active component of
blood – “Gamma globulin protein”.
• 1950’s – Discovery of T and B cells, later
discoveries linked lymphocytes to both
cellular and humoral immunity
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6. UNDERSTANDING SPECIFICITY OF
ANTIBODY FOR ANTIGEN
Early 1900’s - Karl Landsteiner
revealed antibody could be
produced with most any organic
compound
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7. NOBLE PRIZE IN IMMUNOLOGY
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8. NOBLE PRIZE IN IMMUNOLOGY
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9. RECENT NOBLE PRIZE IN
IMMUNOLOGY
James P. Allison (USA), 70, and Tasuku Honjo (Japan), 76, won the prize for their
discovery of cancer therapy that works by inhibition of negative immune
regulation.
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10. REFERENCES
1. Kuby, J., Goldsby, R. A, Kindt T. J., Osborne B. A. (2013). Immunology 7th
edition, W.H. Freeman and Company, New York.
2. Lyolyard, P. M., Whelan, A., Fanger. M. (2011) Instant Notes in Immunology.
3rd edition. Garland Science Taylor and Francis Group, Newyork
3. A. K. Abbas, A. H. H.Lichtman, S. Pillai. (2017).Molecular and Cellular
Immunity. 9th edition. Elsevier
4. C. A. Janeway, P. Travers, M. Walport, M. J. Shlomchick. (2005). Immunology –
the immune system in health and Diseases. 6th edition. Garland Science
Taylor and Francis Group, Newyork
5. K. Murphy, P. Travers, M. Walport. (2008). Janeway’s Immunology. 7th edition.
Garland Science Taylor and Francis Group, Newyork
6. J. M.Cruse, R. E. Lewis. (2009). Illustrated Dictionary of Immunology. 3rd
edition. CRC Press Taylor and Francis Group, New York.
7. Google
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