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The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues and organs that protects the body from infections and diseases. Proteins play a central role in this protective mechanism. These proteins, known as antibodies or immunoglobulins, as well as a variety of other proteins such as cytokines and complement proteins, are responsible for recognizing and neutralizing foreign substances (such as viruses, bacteria and parasites) known as antigens.
Proteins in the immune system fulfill various functions: Antibodies bind specifically to antigens in order to neutralize them directly or to make them recognizable to other components of the immune system. Cytokines are signaling molecules that are emitted by immune cells and enable communication between these cells to ensure a coordinated response to infections. Complement proteins form a system that marks antigens and helps to destroy them.
The immune system can be divided into two main categories: the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system. The innate immune system responds quickly and generally to infections, while the adaptive immune system provides a specific and long-lasting response to certain antigens, including the ability to “remember” previous infections, allowing for faster and more effective protection in future encounters with the same antigen.
The functioning of the immune system is crucial for health and survival. Disorders of the immune system can lead to a variety of diseases, including autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system attacks the body’s own cells, immunodeficiencies, in which the immune response is weakened, and allergic reactions, in which the immune system reacts excessively to harmless substances. Proteins play a central role in all these immune reactions and diseases.
