The Human Body - A Marvelous Creation

The Human Body - A Marvelous Creation

Experts say that our bodies house one trillion immune cells rendering the capability to recognize and deactivate ten million different antigens (invading viruses bacteria fungi parasites etc.). However each of us can be missing as many as 50 000 specific antigen responses which makes us susceptible to those invaders.

Our immune system features a blend of five components working in harmony to fight infection. These "defenders" include stem cells B-lymphocytes natural killer cells macrophages and in command of the whole process T-lymphocytes. It is through this combination that invading antigens are identified targeted surrounded attacked and destroyed.

Transfer factors are a substance within our immune cells specifically T-lymphocytes that imparts the "blueprints" of individual antigens. These "blueprints" or memories enable T-lymphocytes to immediately recognize an enemy antigen.

1.Stem cells are best regarded as maturing cells that will later develop into one of the other four cell types.

2.Secondly B-lymphocytes are responsible for producing antibodies that will later recognize and attach themselves to a specific invader.

3. Once the invading antigen is marked for destruction by the B-cell antibody the natural killer (NK) cells carry out the antigen's demise.

4. The process is guided by the T-lymphocyte's chemical instructions to the other immune system cells through lymphokines. There are numerous sub-types of T-cells including helper T-cells T-cytotoxic cells and T-suppressor cells. Most notable T-lymphocytes initiate direct and shut down the immune response to a specific antigen.

5. Macrophages can be thought of as "garbage collectors" that rid the body of worn-out cells and other debris. These cells likewise contain subtypes such as monocytes which circulate in the bloodstream looking for foreign material to ingest for disposal. The macrophage cell group also includes granulocytes that carry potent chemicals capable of destroying some microorganisms by spraying them or by ingesting and chemically destroying them.

The body's immune system is so incredibly diverse that this thorough process can be programmed for more that ten million antigens. Equally fascinating every person has a unique highly personalized pool of genetic and acquired immune memories. Once those memories are in place the body immediately "remembers" the specific antigen from previous invasions and takes decisive action. That's why varicella (chicken pox) is a one time illness.

In the event that T-lymphocytes are either out-numbered or do not possess the chemical coding that recognizes an invader cell infection may spreads unabated. The results can be and often are life-threatening.

Five Decades Of Research Bear Results

Nearly five decades of on-going research and testing have led to the discovery of the immune system's workings. While there's more to be learned immunologists have now developed highly potent and chemically "tailored" transfer factors to combat specific antigens (6 19-22). Immune-responsive donors are carefully studied to assure their status as such. Then through a human donor-to-animal-to-human recipient transfer process the antigen-specific immunity is delivered to the deficient patient. Remarkably those recipients are able to precisely emulate the immunity of the donor with significant results.

Until just a few years ago production of transfer factors was limited to very minute quantities. Now through intensive efforts researchers have developed and refined a process which mass produces products with transfer factors successfully (19 21 22). Targeted immunotherapy treatment is now possible for patients suffering from serious infections that were once thought to be untreatable.

In one study lifelong New York residents with presumably no prior antigen contact were given transfer factors of blood leukocytes from Californians who had delayed immune responses to coccidioidin. Rapaport's research showed that successful transfers had occurred in 28 of 35 recipients of transfer factors and results were seen within as little as 24 hours specifically for coccidioidin (4).

This led to an important question: Were transfer factors characteristics of a more random nature or as the Rapaport study showed were they consistently specific to a particular infection? The answer was confirmed through research conducted by Burger et al (5) in the mid 1970’s. Burger's unique study again using blood leukocytes strongly supported the ability of transfer factors to pass along immunities to specific antigens in those receiving treatment. The successful immunity transfer rate was 78% among 169 recipients tested. So instead of a "shot gun" approach where the only hope is to conquer the enemy with one big blast, transfer factors could be used as a sharply focused rifle with the ability to accurately target and "gun down" a particular enemy antigen.

Transfer factors immunotherapy has had its share of skeptics mainly because its exact structure and mechanism have yet to be completely understood. Yet significant results speak for themselves in cases of herpes simplex Epstein-Barr tuberculosis cytomegalovirus HIV and many others. This same phenomenon is reminiscent of the days when penicillin was initially viewed with skepticism. Ten years after its use began no one knew exactly how penicillin worked even though results were unmistakably positive.