title: Inflammatory diseases of the sinuses: an overview of immunology.
abstract: We have provided an overview of the immune system and its components. These components--cell-mediated and humoral immunity, the complement system and the different phagocytic cells--all function in concert to protect the body from foreign invaders. When this powerful immune system behaves in a misdirected fashion, however, disease states develop from its injurious effects. One such disease process, intimately related to sinus disease, is allergic rhinitis, which starts as an IgE-mediated response and evolves into an extensive reaction with the contribution of several inflammatory cells and mediators (Fig. 5).
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Baroody
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Naclerio
mesh_terms: D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000276:immunology