Thư viện tri thức trực tuyến
Kho tài liệu với 50,000+ tài liệu học thuật
© 2023 Siêu thị PDF - Kho tài liệu học thuật hàng đầu Việt Nam

NUTRITION AND IMMUNE FUNCTION potx
Nội dung xem thử
Mô tả chi tiết
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITIONAL SCIENCE
This series of books addresses a wide range of topics in nutritional science. The
books are aimed at advanced undergraduate and graduate students,
researchers, university teachers, policy makers and nutrition and health professionals. They offer original syntheses of knowledge, providing a fresh perspective on key topics in nutritional science. Each title is written by a single author
or by groups of authors who are acknowledged experts in their field. Titles
include aspects of molecular, cellular and whole body nutrition and cover
humans and wild, captive and domesticated animals. Basic nutritional science,
clinical nutrition and public health nutrition are each addressed by titles in the
series.
Editor in Chief
P.C. Calder, University of Southampton, UK
Editorial Board
A. Bell, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
F. Kok, Wageningen University, The Netherlands
A. Lichtenstein, Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA
I. Ortigues-Marty, INRA, Thiex, France
P. Yaqoob, University of Reading, UK
K. Younger, Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland
Titles available
1. Nutrition and Immune Function
Edited by P.C. Calder, C.J. Field and H.S. Gill
Nutrition00 4/9/02 4:03 PM Page i
Nutrition00 4/9/02 4:03 PM Page ii
NUTRITION AND IMMUNE
FUNCTION
Edited by
Philip C. Calder
University of Southampton, UK
Catherine J. Field
University of Alberta, Canada
and
Harsharnjit S. Gill
Massey University, New Zealand
CABI Publishing
in association with
The Nutrition Society
Nutrition00 4/9/02 4:03 PM Page iii
CABI Publishing is a division of CAB International
CABI Publishing CABI Publishing
CAB International 10 E 40th Street
Wallingford Suite 3203
Oxon OX10 8DE New York, NY 10016
UK USA
Tel: +44 (0)1491 832111 Tel: +1 212 481 7018
Fax: +44 (0)1491 833508 Fax: +1 212 686 7993
E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.cabi-publishing.org
© CAB International 2002. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may
be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronically, mechanically, by
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owners.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library, London,
UK.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Nutrition and immune function / edited by Philip C. Calder.
p. cm. -- (Frontiers in nutritional science ; no. 1)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-85199-583-7
1. Immune system. 2. Nutrition. 3. Natural immunity. 4. Dietary
supplements. I. Calder, Philip C. II. Series.
QR182 .N88 2002
616.079--dc21
2002004470
ISBN 0 85199 583 7
Typeset in Souvenir Light by Columns Design Ltd, Reading
Printed and bound in the UK by Biddles Ltd, Guildford and King’s Lynn
Nutrition00 4/9/02 4:03 PM Page iv
Contents
Contributors vii
Preface ix
Part 1: The Immune System
1. The Immune System: an Overview 1
G. Devereux
2. Evaluation of the Effects of Nutrients on Immune Function 21
S. Cunningham-Rundles
Part 2: Individual Nutrients, Infection and Immune Function
3. Effect of Post-natal Protein Malnutrition and Intrauterine
Growth Retardation on Immunity and Risk of Infection 41
R.K. Chandra
4. Fatty Acids, Inflammation and Immunity 57
P.C. Calder and C.J. Field
5. Arginine and Immune Function 93
M.D. Duff and J.M. Daly
6. Glutamine and the Immune System 109
P.C. Calder and P. Newsholme
7. Sulphur Amino Acids, Glutathione and Immune Function 133
R.F. Grimble
v
Nutrition00 4/9/02 4:03 PM Page v
8. Vitamin A, Infection and Immune Function 151
R.D. Semba
9. Antioxidant Vitamins and Immune Function 171
D.A. Hughes
10. Zinc, Infection and Immune Function 193
A.S. Prasad
11. Role of Iron in Immunity and Infection 209
S. Kuvibidila and B.S. Baliga
12. Selenium and the Immune System 229
R.C. McKenzie, J.R. Arthur, S.M. Miller, T.S. Rafferty and G.J. Beckett
13. Probiotics and Immune Function 251
H.S. Gill and M.L. Cross
Part 3: Nutrition and Immunity through the Life Cycle
14. Role of Local Immunity and Breast-feeding in Mucosal
Homoeostasis and Defence against Infections 273
P. Brandtzaeg
15. Food Allergy 321
E. Opara
16. Exercise and Immune Function – Effect of Nutrition 347
E.W. Petersen and B.K. Pedersen
17. Nutrition and Ageing of the Immune System 357
B. Lesourd, A. Raynaud-Simon and L. Mazari
18. Nutrition, Infection and Immunity:
Public Health Implications 375
A. Tomkins
Index 413
vi Contents
Nutrition00 4/9/02 4:03 PM Page vi
Contributors
J.R. Arthur, Division of Cell Integrity, Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn,
Aberdeen AB21 9SB, UK.
B.S. Baliga, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of South
Alabama, 2451 Fillingim Street, Mobile, AL 36617, USA.
G.J. Beckett, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Edinburgh,
Lauriston Building, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 9YW, UK.
P. Brandtzaeg, Laboratory for Immunohistochemistry and Immunopathology
(LIIPAT), Institute of Pathology, University of Oslo, Rikshospitalet, N-0027
Oslo, Norway.
P.C. Calder, Institute of Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of
Southampton, Bassett Crescent East, Southampton SO16 7PX, UK.
R.K. Chandra, Janeway Child Health Centre, Room 2J740, 300 Prince Philip
Drive, St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada A1B 3V6.
M.L. Cross, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University,
Palmerston North, New Zealand.
S. Cunningham-Rundles, Immunology Research Laboratory, Division of
Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, New York
Presbyterian Hospital, Cornell University Weill Medical College, 1300
York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA.
J.M. Daly, Department of Surgery, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill
Medical College of Cornell University and 525 East 68th Street, New
York, NY 10021, USA.
G. Devereux, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
M.D. Duff, Department of Surgery, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill
Medical College of Cornell University and 525 East 68th Street, New
York, NY 10021, USA.
C.J. Field, Nutrition and Metabolism Research Group, Department of
Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, 4–10 Agriculture Forestry
Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada T6G 2P5.
vii
Nutrition00 4/9/02 4:03 PM Page vii
H.S. Gill, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University,
Palmerston North, New Zealand.
R.F. Grimble, Institute of Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of
Southampton, Bassett Crescent East, Southampton SO16 7PX, UK.
D.A. Hughes, Nutrition and Consumer Science Division, Institute of Food
Research, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UA, UK.
S. Kuvibidila, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics,
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Box T8-1, 1542
Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
B. Lesourd, Département de Gérontologie Clinique, Hôpital Nord du CHU de
Clermont-Ferrand, BP 56, 63118 Cébazat, France.
R.C. McKenzie, Department of Medical and Radiological Sciences, University of
Edinburgh, Lauriston Building, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
EH3 9YW, UK. Corresponding address: Section of Dermatology, Lauriston
Building, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 9YW, UK.
L. Mazari, Département de Gérontologie Clinique, Hôpital Nord du CHU de
Clermont-Ferrand, BP 56, 63118 Cébazat, France.
S.M. Miller, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Edinburgh,
Lauriston Building, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 9YW, UK.
P. Newsholme, Department of Biochemistry, Conway Institute of Biomolecular
and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4,
Republic of Ireland.
E. Opara, School of Life Sciences, Kingston University and Faculty of Health
and Social Care Sciences, St George’s Hospital Medical School, Penrhyn
Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2EE, UK.
B.K. Pedersen, Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre and Department of
Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Tagensvej
20, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
E.W. Petersen, Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre and Department of
Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Tagensvej
20, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
A.S. Prasad, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal
Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4201 St Antoine,
Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
T.S. Rafferty, Department of Medical and Radiological Sciences, University of
Edinburgh, Lauriston Building, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
EH3 9YW, UK.
A. Raynaud-Simon, Département de Gérontologie Clinique, Hôpital Nord du
CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, BP 56, 63118 Cébazat, France.
R.D. Semba, Department of Opthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School
of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Correspondence address:
550 North Broadway, Suite 700, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
A. Tomkins, Centre for International Child Health, Institute of Child Health, 30
Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK.
viii Contributors
Nutrition00 4/9/02 4:03 PM Page viii
Preface
‘This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and hand of war’
(The Tragedy of King Richard II, Act II, Scene I, lines 43 and 44,
William Shakespeare)
It has been recognized for many years that states of nutrient deficiency are associated with an impaired immune response and with increased susceptibility to infectious disease. In turn, infection can affect the status of several nutrients, thus setting
up a vicious circle of under nutrition, compromised immune function and infection. Thus, the focus of much of the research into nutrition, infection and immunity has been related to identifying the effects of nutrient deficiencies upon
components of the immune response (often using animal models) and, importantly, upon attempts to reduce the occurrence and severity of infectious diseases
(often in human settings). Although it is often considered that the problems of
under nutrition relate mainly to the developing world, they exist in developed
countries, especially among the elderly, individuals with eating disorders, alcoholics, patients with certain diseases and premature and small-for-gestational-age
babies. Thus, immunological problems in these groups probably relate, at least in
part, to nutrient status. In addition, many diseases that exist among the apparently
well nourished have a strong immunological component and it is now recognized
that at least some of these diseases relate to diet and that their course may be
modified by specific changes in nutrient supply. Examples of these diseases
include rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and atopic diseases. Furthermore, it
is now recognized that atherosclerosis, a disease strongly influenced by diet, has
an immunological component. Thus, understanding the interaction between nutrition and immune function is fundamental to understanding the development of a
multitude of communicable and non-communicable diseases and will offer preventive and therapeutic opportunities to control the incidence and severity of
those diseases. It is also now recognized that immune dysfunction plays a role in
ix
Nutrition00 4/9/02 4:03 PM Page ix
the events that follow trauma, burns or major surgery, and which, in some
patients, can lead to organ failure and death. Thus, understanding the interaction
between nutrition and immune function is fundamental in designing therapies to
control the severity of these aberrant responses and to improve patient outcome.
The aim of this book is to provide a state of the art description of the interaction between nutrition and immunity, with an emphasis on the mechanism(s)
of action of the nutrients concerned and the impact on human health. The
book is divided into three parts.
Part 1 contains two chapters. The first is an overview of the immune system, its components and the way in which it functions and regulates its activities. The second is a description, using examples from the recent literature, of
the methodological approaches that can be used to investigate the impact of
altered nutrient supply on immune outcomes.
Part 2 contains 11 chapters. The first of these is devoted to the immunological effects of protein–energy malnutrition and of intrauterine growth retardation. Each of a further nine chapters is devoted to a specific nutrient or a family
of nutrients: fatty acids, arginine, glutamine, sulphur amino acids, vitamin A,
antioxidant vitamins (vitamins C and E and -carotene), zinc, iron and selenium are all featured. The final chapter in this section deals with probiotics, an
emerging area of great interest.
Part 3 contains five chapters. Rather than taking a nutrient-led approach
these deal with changes in immune competence through the life cycle and with
how nutrition affects these. The development of immunity in early life and the
role of breast-feeding are covered in one chapter. A later chapter describes the
current understanding of the impact of ageing on immune competence and
how nutrient status plays a role in accelerating or delaying this ageing process.
In between these two chapters are chapters on food allergy and on the influence of exercise on immune function. The final chapter tackles the public
health implications of our increased understanding of the interaction between
nutrition and immune function and poses important questions about how we
can harness our knowledge for greater benefit.
Each chapter of this book includes an extensive reference list, which will
guide the reader who wishes to seek more detailed information.
The true remedy for all diseases is Nature’s remedy. Nature and Science
are at one … Nature has provided, in the white corpuscles as you call them
– in the phagocytes as we call them – a natural means of devouring and
destroying all disease germs. There is at bottom only one genuinely
scientific treatment for all diseases, and that is to stimulate the phagocytes.
Stimulate the phagocytes… The phagocytes are stimulated; they devour
the disease; and the patient recovers.
The Doctor’s Dilemma, Bernard Shaw
P.C. Calder, C.J. Field and H.S. Gill
Editors
December 2001
x Preface
Nutrition00 4/9/02 4:03 PM Page x
Preface
‘This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and hand of war’
(The Tragedy of King Richard II, Act II, Scene I, lines 43 and 44,
William Shakespeare)
It has been recognized for many years that states of nutrient deficiency are associated with an impaired immune response and with increased susceptibility to infectious disease. In turn, infection can affect the status of several nutrients, thus setting
up a vicious circle of under nutrition, compromised immune function and infection. Thus, the focus of much of the research into nutrition, infection and immunity has been related to identifying the effects of nutrient deficiencies upon
components of the immune response (often using animal models) and, importantly, upon attempts to reduce the occurrence and severity of infectious diseases
(often in human settings). Although it is often considered that the problems of
under nutrition relate mainly to the developing world, they exist in developed
countries, especially among the elderly, individuals with eating disorders, alcoholics, patients with certain diseases and premature and small-for-gestational-age
babies. Thus, immunological problems in these groups probably relate, at least in
part, to nutrient status. In addition, many diseases that exist among the apparently
well nourished have a strong immunological component and it is now recognized
that at least some of these diseases relate to diet and that their course may be
modified by specific changes in nutrient supply. Examples of these diseases
include rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and atopic diseases. Furthermore, it
is now recognized that atherosclerosis, a disease strongly influenced by diet, has
an immunological component. Thus, understanding the interaction between nutrition and immune function is fundamental to understanding the development of a
multitude of communicable and non-communicable diseases and will offer preventive and therapeutic opportunities to control the incidence and severity of
those diseases. It is also now recognized that immune dysfunction plays a role in
ix
Nutrition00 4/9/02 4:03 PM Page ix
the events that follow trauma, burns or major surgery, and which, in some
patients, can lead to organ failure and death. Thus, understanding the interaction
between nutrition and immune function is fundamental in designing therapies to
control the severity of these aberrant responses and to improve patient outcome.
The aim of this book is to provide a state of the art description of the interaction between nutrition and immunity, with an emphasis on the mechanism(s)
of action of the nutrients concerned and the impact on human health. The
book is divided into three parts.
Part 1 contains two chapters. The first is an overview of the immune system, its components and the way in which it functions and regulates its activities. The second is a description, using examples from the recent literature, of
the methodological approaches that can be used to investigate the impact of
altered nutrient supply on immune outcomes.
Part 2 contains 11 chapters. The first of these is devoted to the immunological effects of protein–energy malnutrition and of intrauterine growth retardation. Each of a further nine chapters is devoted to a specific nutrient or a family
of nutrients: fatty acids, arginine, glutamine, sulphur amino acids, vitamin A,
antioxidant vitamins (vitamins C and E and -carotene), zinc, iron and selenium are all featured. The final chapter in this section deals with probiotics, an
emerging area of great interest.
Part 3 contains five chapters. Rather than taking a nutrient-led approach
these deal with changes in immune competence through the life cycle and with
how nutrition affects these. The development of immunity in early life and the
role of breast-feeding are covered in one chapter. A later chapter describes the
current understanding of the impact of ageing on immune competence and
how nutrient status plays a role in accelerating or delaying this ageing process.
In between these two chapters are chapters on food allergy and on the influence of exercise on immune function. The final chapter tackles the public
health implications of our increased understanding of the interaction between
nutrition and immune function and poses important questions about how we
can harness our knowledge for greater benefit.
Each chapter of this book includes an extensive reference list, which will
guide the reader who wishes to seek more detailed information.
The true remedy for all diseases is Nature’s remedy. Nature and Science
are at one … Nature has provided, in the white corpuscles as you call them
– in the phagocytes as we call them – a natural means of devouring and
destroying all disease germs. There is at bottom only one genuinely
scientific treatment for all diseases, and that is to stimulate the phagocytes.
Stimulate the phagocytes… The phagocytes are stimulated; they devour
the disease; and the patient recovers.
The Doctor’s Dilemma, Bernard Shaw
P.C. Calder, C.J. Field and H.S. Gill
Editors
December 2001
x Preface
Nutrition00 4/9/02 4:03 PM Page x
Contributors
J.R. Arthur, Division of Cell Integrity, Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn,
Aberdeen AB21 9SB, UK.
B.S. Baliga, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of South
Alabama, 2451 Fillingim Street, Mobile, AL 36617, USA.
G.J. Beckett, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Edinburgh,
Lauriston Building, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 9YW, UK.
P. Brandtzaeg, Laboratory for Immunohistochemistry and Immunopathology
(LIIPAT), Institute of Pathology, University of Oslo, Rikshospitalet, N-0027
Oslo, Norway.
P.C. Calder, Institute of Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of
Southampton, Bassett Crescent East, Southampton SO16 7PX, UK.
R.K. Chandra, Janeway Child Health Centre, Room 2J740, 300 Prince Philip
Drive, St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada A1B 3V6.
M.L. Cross, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University,
Palmerston North, New Zealand.
S. Cunningham-Rundles, Immunology Research Laboratory, Division of
Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, New York
Presbyterian Hospital, Cornell University Weill Medical College, 1300
York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA.
J.M. Daly, Department of Surgery, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill
Medical College of Cornell University and 525 East 68th Street, New
York, NY 10021, USA.
G. Devereux, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
M.D. Duff, Department of Surgery, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill
Medical College of Cornell University and 525 East 68th Street, New
York, NY 10021, USA.
C.J. Field, Nutrition and Metabolism Research Group, Department of
Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, 4–10 Agriculture Forestry
Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada T6G 2P5.
vii
Nutrition00 4/9/02 4:03 PM Page vii
H.S. Gill, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Massey University,
Palmerston North, New Zealand.
R.F. Grimble, Institute of Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of
Southampton, Bassett Crescent East, Southampton SO16 7PX, UK.
D.A. Hughes, Nutrition and Consumer Science Division, Institute of Food
Research, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7UA, UK.
S. Kuvibidila, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics,
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Box T8-1, 1542
Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
B. Lesourd, Département de Gérontologie Clinique, Hôpital Nord du CHU de
Clermont-Ferrand, BP 56, 63118 Cébazat, France.
R.C. McKenzie, Department of Medical and Radiological Sciences, University of
Edinburgh, Lauriston Building, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
EH3 9YW, UK. Corresponding address: Section of Dermatology, Lauriston
Building, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 9YW, UK.
L. Mazari, Département de Gérontologie Clinique, Hôpital Nord du CHU de
Clermont-Ferrand, BP 56, 63118 Cébazat, France.
S.M. Miller, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Edinburgh,
Lauriston Building, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH3 9YW, UK.
P. Newsholme, Department of Biochemistry, Conway Institute of Biomolecular
and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4,
Republic of Ireland.
E. Opara, School of Life Sciences, Kingston University and Faculty of Health
and Social Care Sciences, St George’s Hospital Medical School, Penrhyn
Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2EE, UK.
B.K. Pedersen, Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre and Department of
Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Tagensvej
20, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
E.W. Petersen, Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre and Department of
Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Tagensvej
20, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark.
A.S. Prasad, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal
Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4201 St Antoine,
Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
T.S. Rafferty, Department of Medical and Radiological Sciences, University of
Edinburgh, Lauriston Building, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
EH3 9YW, UK.
A. Raynaud-Simon, Département de Gérontologie Clinique, Hôpital Nord du
CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, BP 56, 63118 Cébazat, France.
R.D. Semba, Department of Opthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School
of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. Correspondence address:
550 North Broadway, Suite 700, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
A. Tomkins, Centre for International Child Health, Institute of Child Health, 30
Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK.
viii Contributors
Nutrition00 4/9/02 4:03 PM Page viii
1 The Immune System:
an Overview
GRAHAM DEVEREUX
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
Introduction
To parasitic microorganisms, the human body represents an extremely attractive environment and source of nutrients. Consequently, we live under the constant threat of overwhelming attack by viruses, bacteria and parasites.
Microorganisms evolve more rapidly than humans, so that the nature of the
microbiological threat to humans is changing as exposure to new or variant
organisms occurs. To combat this potentially devastating threat, evolution has
provided humans with a highly sophisticated, flexible and potent immune
system, which is able to protect humans against rapidly evolving microorganisms. The critical protective function of the immune system becomes apparent
when it fails. The inherited and acquired immunodeficiency states are characterized by increased susceptibility to all infections, including those organisms
not normally considered to be pathogenic.
The immune system is a two-edged sword: the extremely potent and toxic
biological effector mechanisms of the immune system can destroy not only
threatening microorganisms but also body tissues. Usually the tissue destruction
and inflammation associated with the eradication of a microbiological threat
are acceptable and functionally insignificant. However, in several human
diseases, the immunologically associated tissue destruction and inflammation
are harmful, e.g. tuberculosis, fulminant hepatitis and meningitis, and, although
this may be advantageous to the species as a whole, the effect on the individual may be devastating. It is because of their potential to destroy tissues that
the effector mechanisms of the immune system are very tightly regulated.
Failure of these regulatory mechanisms results in the full might of the immune
system being inappropriately directed against body tissues and the development of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE), myasthenia gravis and multiple sclerosis. If immune
responses are directed against innocuous targets, such as allergens or transplanted
© CAB International 2002. Nutrition and Immune Function
(eds P.C. Calder, C.J. Field and H.S. Gill) 1
Nutrition Chapter 01 4/9/02 4:03 PM Page 1