During the second half of the XIX century, doctors and biologists of the time actively investigated the role of pathogens in the development of infectious diseases, as well as an opportunity to form an artificial immune to them.These studies led to the study of the facts about the natural protection of the body against infections.Pasteur proposed to the scientific community the idea of so-called "depleted forces."According to this theory, the viral immunity is such a condition in which the human body is not beneficial nutrient for infectious agents.However, this idea could not explain a number of practical observations.
Mechnikov: cellular theory of immunity
This theory appeared in 1883.The creator of the theory of cellular immunity was based on the teachings of Charles Darwin, and was based on the study of digestive processes in animals, which are located at different stages of evolution.Author newfound theory found some similarities in the intracellular digestion of the substances in the cells of the endoderm, amoebas, tissue macrophages and monocytes.Actually, the theory of cellular immunity by famous Russian biologist Ilya Mechnikov.His work in this area lasted long enough.Getting them was laid in the Italian city of Messina, which microbiologist observe the behavior of sea fleas and larvae of sea stars.
pathologist found that wandering cells observed alien creatures surround the body, and then absorb them.In addition, they should be destroyed, and resolves those tissues that are not needed by the body more.He made great efforts to develop its concept.The creator of the theory of cellular immunity has introduced, in fact, the concept of "phagocytes", derived from the Greek words "fages" - and eat "kitos" - a cell.That is a new term literally refers to the process of eating cells.The idea of phagocytes scientist has come a little earlier, when studying the intracellular digestion in different cells of the connective tissue in invertebrates: sponges, amoebas and other.
Representatives of higher animal world most typical phagocytes can be called white blood cells, ie leukocytes.Later, the creator of the theory of cellular immunity offered to share these cells to macrophages, and macrophages.The correctness of this separation was confirmed to achieve the scientist Paul Ehrlich, who differentiated various types of white blood cells by means of color.In his classic works devoted to the pathology of inflammation, the creator of the theory of cellular immunity was able to prove the role of phagocytic cells in the elimination of pathogens.Already in 1901, he came into the world of his fundamental work on immunity to infectious diseases.In addition to the Ilya Mechnikov, a significant contribution to the development and dissemination of the phagocytic theory of immunity made by IGSavchenko, FYChistovich, LATarasevich, AMBirch, VIIsaev and a number of other researchers.
