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The function of the immune system according to The Other Side of Bob Dylan

2017; Wiley; Volume: 47; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1002/eji.201770075

1521-4141

Ger T. Rijkers,

Diabetes and associated disorders

In the course Functional Anatomy, a bachelor course which I teach at University College Roosevelt, I have tried to introduce each organ system with an appropriate fragment of a Bob Dylan song. In preparation of the class on the immune system, two relevant fragments were found on the album “The other side of Bob Dylan”, released more than 50 years ago, on August 8, 1964 by Columbia Records. Over the years, the lyrics of Dylan have been studied by scholars from various disciplines such as historical, political, theological 1-4 but never before from an immunological point of view. A detailed analysis of the lyrics of this album (http://bobdylan.com/) shows that in fact ‘’The other side of Bob Dylan’’ is an immune concept album, which will be argued below. The final song of this immune concept album (It ain't me babe (track 11)) has the most direct link to the immune system: ‘’To protect an’ defend you’’ (Figure 1). Obviously, the function of the immune system is to protect and defend you against infectious diseases, as well as to prevent transformed cells to grow out and become a tumor. The two major characteristics of the immune system, specificity and memory, each are dealt with separate songs. In the opening song of the album (All I Really Want To Do (track 1)) the specificity of the immune system is addressed. This specificity is generated by recombination of gene segments followed by selection of the cells with receptors that are able to recognize specific antigens but do not react with self- antigens. The line Or select you or dissect you adequately describes this process. Immunological memory (or the lack of memory) is the theme of the song I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met) (track 9). The relevant lines are An’ if anybody asks me “Is it easy to forget?” I'll say, “It's easily done You just pick anyone An’ pretend that you never have met!”. It should be kept in mind that immunological memory in fact is restricted to protein antigens. For polysaccharide antigens, and Dylan is referring to these, immunological memory is not formed after primary encounter. Upon a renewed exposure of the immune system to a polysaccharide, it pretends as if they have never met. Before the acquired immune system comes into action, any invading micro-organism will have to pass the first line of defense, the physical and mechanical barrier of the skin. In the song To Ramona (track 6) the importance of this barrier is described: As to be under the strength of your skin. When a micro-organism has penetrated the skin, it will infect cells and will cause damage to the local tissues. The first logical question to be answered is Till the tombstones of damage read me no questions but, “Please What's wrong and what's exactly the matter?” (Ballad In Plain D (track 10)). So there is damage done, maybe even a wound is formed, and the immune system has to decide whether or not to step into action. Tolling for the aching ones whose wounds cannot be nursed (Chimes Of Freedom (track 4)) indicates that the toll-like receptors will recognize pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMP) of micro-organisms, or danger associated molecular patterns (DAMP). PAMPs and DAMPs are quite outspoken in what they can and cannot do: Good and bad, I define these terms Quite clear, no doubt, somehow (My Back Pages (track 8)). In case an inflammatory response is initiated, robur (redness), dolor (pain), tumor (swelling), and calor (heat) will develop: Your temperature's too hot for taming (Spanish Harlem Incident (track 3)). The inflammatory response sends out chemical signals (cytokines, chemokines) attracting cells of the immune system and signals to the brain: Well, my wrist was empty, But my nerves were kickin’ (Black Crow Blues (track 2)). This sequence of events leading to an inflammatory response initiating a response of the immune system as described above for an infection initiated in the skin, also takes place when the infection would start elsewhere in the body, in the lungs or in the gastrointestinal tract. Inflammation of the intestines is described by Dylan in track 7 (Motorpsycho Nightmare): And stuck a gun into my guts. The ultimate goal of the immune response is to clear the infection (I Shall Be Free No. 10 (track 5). Track 5 from the Dylan album contains a number of references to the function of the immune system, but the most evident is: 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, Gonna knock him clean right out of his spleen. This is an obvious reference to the major cell types (and their receptors) which participate in immune responses occuring in the spleen: CD19+ B lymphocytes, CD14+ monocytes, with the FcγRIII (CD16) and LFA-1 (CD18) as relevant receptors in homing and activation. Here, Bob Dylan showed his clear visionary capacities because the first CD nomenclature conference wasn't held in Paris until 1984, 20 years after the release of ‘’The other side of Bob Dylan’’ 5. From the above it is clear that Dylan was inspired by the beauty of the immune system when composing for ‘’The other side of Bob Dylan album’’. Of course a Nobel laureate doesn't provide a clear cut clue. Therefore it has taken some time (over 50 years) before the real meaning of his lyrics has become apparent. As happens more often when science meets art: the influence is mutual. Immunologists and microbiologists have been inspired by Dylan, and use titles of his songs in their own work [examples are references 6-10]. Further research should reveal whether other scientific disciplines are hidden in the work of Dylan, and thus could also benefit from his wise words.