Immune function testing, these 4 items are the key points, do you understand them?

Immune function testing is a vital examination method in the field of modern medicine. It aims to comprehensively evaluate the immune status of the human body through a series of biochemical and cytological indicators. This article will conduct in-depth popular science around the four core contents of immune function testing - immunoglobulin testing, T lymphocyte subset analysis, complement system testing and natural killer cell activity determination, in order to help readers better understand and apply this technology.

1. Immunoglobulin testing

Immunoglobulin, also known as antibody, is a specific protein produced by the body's immune system under antigen stimulation. Immunoglobulin detection is one of the basic items of immune function detection. By measuring the content of various immunoglobulins in serum, the body's humoral immune status can be reflected. In recent years, with the deepening of immunological research, the technical means of immunoglobulin detection have been continuously updated. At present, the commonly used immunoglobulin detection methods in clinical practice include immunoturbidimetry, immunoelectrophoresis, etc. These methods have the characteristics of high sensitivity and strong specificity, and can accurately determine the content of various immunoglobulins. Abnormal levels of immunoglobulins are often closely related to a variety of diseases. For example, increased immunoglobulins may be seen in diseases such as multiple myeloma and rheumatoid arthritis; while decreased immunoglobulins may indicate immunodeficiency diseases, malignant tumors, etc. Therefore, immunoglobulin detection is of great significance for early diagnosis, disease monitoring and prognosis evaluation of diseases.

2. T lymphocyte subset analysis

T lymphocytes are an important part of the immune system, with functions such as regulating immune responses and resisting invasion by foreign pathogens. T lymphocyte subset analysis is to count and classify different subsets of T lymphocytes by means of flow cytometry and other means to evaluate the cellular immune status. In recent years, with the development of flow cytometry, T lymphocyte subset analysis has been increasingly widely used in the medical field. Through this technology, we can accurately understand the number and proportion of subpopulations such as CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells, and then judge the body's immune status. Abnormal changes in T lymphocyte subsets are often closely related to the occurrence and development of a variety of diseases. For example, in diseases such as AIDS and malignant tumors, there are often phenomena such as a decrease in the number of CD4+T cells and an imbalance in the CD4+/CD8+ ratio. Therefore, T lymphocyte subset analysis is of great significance for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of diseases.

3. Complement system testing

The complement system is an important effector system in the immune system. It activates a series of biological reactions by binding to antigen-antibody complexes, thereby playing the role of immune defense, immune regulation and immune clearance. Complement system detection is an important means to evaluate the activity and function of the body's complement. At present, the commonly used complement system detection methods in clinical practice include immunochemistry, immunoelectrophoresis, etc. These methods can accurately measure the content and activity of each complement component in serum, thereby reflecting the functional status of the complement system. Abnormalities in the complement system are often closely related to the occurrence and development of various diseases. For example, in autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, the phenomenon of increased or decreased complement levels often occurs. Therefore, complement system detection is of great significance for disease diagnosis, disease monitoring and prognosis evaluation.

4. Natural Killer Cell Activity Assay

Natural killer cells (NK cells) are an important part of the body's immune system and have the ability to directly kill tumor cells and virus-infected cells. The determination of natural killer cell activity is an important means to evaluate the body's anti-tumor and anti-viral immune capabilities. At present, the methods for determining the activity of natural killer cells mainly include flow cytometry, cytotoxicity tests, etc. These methods can directly reflect the killing activity of NK cells, thereby evaluating the body's anti-tumor and anti-viral immune capabilities. Abnormal NK cell activity is often closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors, the progression of viral infections, etc. Therefore, the determination of natural killer cell activity is of great significance for the early diagnosis, disease monitoring and prognosis evaluation of the disease.

Immune function testing is an important means of evaluating the body's immune status, among which immunoglobulin testing, T lymphocyte subset analysis, complement system testing and natural killer cell activity determination are four key contents. Through comprehensive testing and analysis of these indicators, we can better understand the body's immune status and provide strong support for disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment. With the continuous advancement of medical technology and the deepening of immunological research, the technical means of immune function testing will continue to be updated and improved, and its application in the medical field will also be more extensive. In the future, we can expect more innovative immune function testing methods to emerge and make greater contributions to human health.

Although immune function testing plays an important role in modern medicine and provides strong support for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, we cannot ignore its limitations. The immune status of each individual is unique and is affected by many complex factors such as age, gender, and genetic factors. Therefore, when conducting immune function testing, we cannot rely solely on the numerical changes of a single indicator, but need to comprehensively consider multiple factors and conduct a comprehensive assessment. In addition, the change of immune function is a dynamic process, which will be adjusted accordingly as the individual's health status changes. Therefore, when interpreting the results of immune function testing, we must closely combine clinical practice and fully consider the individual's medical history, symptoms, and other relevant examination results. Only in this way can we avoid over-interpretation of test results or neglect of important information, so as to make a more accurate and scientific diagnosis. At the same time, we should also realize that immune function testing is only a means of evaluating the immune status of an individual, and it cannot completely replace other medical examination methods. In practical applications, we need to combine immune function testing with other examination methods to form a comprehensive diagnostic system to better serve clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Conclusion: Immune function testing is an important medical examination method. Through the detection and analysis of key indicators such as immunoglobulins, T lymphocyte subsets, complement system and natural killer cells, we can better understand the body's immune status and provide strong support for disease prevention and treatment. In the future development of medicine, immune function testing will continue to play an important role and contribute to human health.

Author: Ai Kewen Guangzhou Tonghe Hospital