title: A brief review of the immune system.
abstract: This article provides a brief review of the immune system and describes the features of innate and adaptive immunity and their similarities and differences. The mechanism of antigen presentation and major histocompatibility complex restriction is discussed as well as the structure and function of T cells and B cells. Three tables present a concise description of cytokines, interleukins, and chemokines.
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston, 77555-0762, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alam
mesh_terms: D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000502:physiology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000502:physiology; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000502:physiology; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000502:physiology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D003165:Complement System Proteins