immune system: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Nov. 12, 2026

News •

Cancer uses antioxidants to disarm the immune system, scientists discover • Nov. 10, 2026, 6:58 AM ET (Science Daily)

Could a flu shot help fight skin cancer? • Nov. 9, 2026, 5:30 PM ET (Medical Xpress)

Scientists solve 30-year-old mystery and discover a hidden defense against inflammation • Nov. 5, 2026, 6:07 AM ET (Science Daily)

Gut microbial catalog reveals systemic inflammation drivers in spinal injury • Oct. 30, 2026, 5:15 AM ET (News-Medical)

Scientists solve a 30-year mystery behind inflammatory bowel disease • Oct. 26, 2026, 7:58 PM ET (Science Daily)

Facts

Also Known As	immunological system

Photos and Videos

Immune stimulation by activated helper T cells

Clonal selection of a B cell

Labeled illustration of a macrophage showing its internal organelles and the process of engulfing and digesting bacteria, with bacteria drawn outside and inside the cell as it undergoes phagocytosis.

Macrophage attacking a cancer cell

Diagram of the activities of T and B cells

Diagram of the human lymphatic system highlighting lymphatic vessels and major lymphoid organs, including lymph nodes, adenoids, tonsils, thymus gland, spleen, appendix, bone marrow, and ducts.

Antigens, antibodies, and lymphocytes

Diagram of an antibody molecule showing two identical light chains and two identical heavy chains joined by disulfide bonds in a Y-shaped structure, with labeled regions for antigen binding and effector function.

Diagram of an antibody molecule showing the Y-shaped structure with labeled variable and constant domains on both light and heavy chains, disulfide bonds holding the folded domains, and antigen-binding sites at the tips.

Observe the human immune response phagocytosis

What is the field of immunogenomics?

immune-mediated diseases

Why do people have allergies in the spring?

Can autoimmune diseases be treated more effectively?

See All Videos, Images and Interactives →

Topics

scavenger cell acquired immunological tolerance immunological memory chemotaxis random migration pyrogen antibody white blood cell lymph mononuclear phagocyte system muscle nervous system Circulatory system Respiratory system Integument Endocrine system mucous membrane gland human ear Physiology

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Key People

Bordet, Jules

Jules Bordet

Belgian bacteriologist

Bruce A. Beutler.

Bruce A. Beutler

American immunologist

Ralph M. Steinman.

Ralph M. Steinman

Canadian immunologist and cell biologist

Jules Hoffmann

Jules Hoffmann

French immunologist

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James P. Allison

American immunologist

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Tonegawa Susumu

Japanese biologist

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Niels K. Jerne

Danish immunologist

Mary E. Brunkow

Mary E. Brunkow

American biologist

Fred Ramsdell

Fred Ramsdell

American biologist

Shimon Sakaguchi

Shimon Sakaguchi

Japanese immunologist

3d illustration human heart. Adult Anatomy Aorta Black Blood Vessel Cardiovascular System Coronary Artery Coronary Sinus Front View Glowing Human Artery Human Heart Human Internal Organ Medical X-ray Myocardium

Human Organs