Secretory Anti-Influenza Immunity

Abstract

Secretory immunity is a factor in the local immunity of organs and tissues that are in contact with the environment. A considerable number of specific and nonspecific host factors determine resistance to influenza infection. These factors include antibodies, interferon, and nonspecific inhibitors in blood sera and respiratory tract secretions. Specific cellular immunity also plays a part in resistance to influenza. The main function of local immunity is its participation in maintaining homeostasis in the organism. This chapter focusses on the laws governing the formation of secretory antibodies after immunization and infection, the importance of secretory antibodies in protection against influenza, and the immunobiological properties of secretory anti-influenza antibodies. The chapter describes biochemical and immunological methods used in studying secretory immunity. Circulating anti-influenza antibodies prevent the general symptoms of influenza caused by toxicity. They affect the reproduction of influenza virus in the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract and, therefore, its circulation in the human population. Secretory antibodies, if contained in sufficient concentrations, can protect against infection. The level of secretory antibodies is the moving force in the drift of influenza virus surface antigens and in the elimination of old variants after epidemics. The most reliable protection against influenza infection is provided by the synergic interaction of secretory and circulating antibodies. The chapter also provides an account for nonspecific secretory inhibitors of influenza virus.