Pathogens, which are tiny germs that can make us sick, have developed many ways to trick our body’s defenses. Here are some important methods they use:
Changing their Appearance: Some germs, like the flu virus, change their outer proteins often. This helps them hide from the immune system, which can't recognize them anymore.
Weakening the Defense: Certain viruses, such as HIV, aim for important immune cells called CD4+ T cells. By getting rid of these cells, the virus makes it harder for the body to fight off infections.
Imitating the Body: Some pathogens can produce proteins that look like the body’s own molecules. For instance, Streptococcus pyogenes has parts that look like human tissue. This can trick the immune system into accidentally attacking the body itself.
Avoiding Cell Death: Some pathogens, like cytomegalovirus, create proteins that stop infected cells from dying when they are supposed to. This allows the germs to stay alive and keep multiplying.
These tricks show how complicated the relationships are between germs and our body's defenses. Understanding these methods is very important for creating better treatments and vaccines to keep us healthy.
Pathogens, which are tiny germs that can make us sick, have developed many ways to trick our body’s defenses. Here are some important methods they use:
Changing their Appearance: Some germs, like the flu virus, change their outer proteins often. This helps them hide from the immune system, which can't recognize them anymore.
Weakening the Defense: Certain viruses, such as HIV, aim for important immune cells called CD4+ T cells. By getting rid of these cells, the virus makes it harder for the body to fight off infections.
Imitating the Body: Some pathogens can produce proteins that look like the body’s own molecules. For instance, Streptococcus pyogenes has parts that look like human tissue. This can trick the immune system into accidentally attacking the body itself.
Avoiding Cell Death: Some pathogens, like cytomegalovirus, create proteins that stop infected cells from dying when they are supposed to. This allows the germs to stay alive and keep multiplying.
These tricks show how complicated the relationships are between germs and our body's defenses. Understanding these methods is very important for creating better treatments and vaccines to keep us healthy.