How does the integumentary system work with the immune system?

The integumentary system is composed of the skin, hair, nails, and exocrine glands.The immune system is composed of white blood cells, antibodies, and other chemicals or proteins that serve to recognize and eliminate pathogens such as bacteria, toxins, and viruses from the body.

The skin of the integumentary system helps the immune system in the following ways.

• The skin of the integumentary system helps the immune system because it is the skin that serves as a barrier between the outside world and the internal organs of an organism. Thus, the integumentary system serves as a protective covering that helps to prevent harmful substances, viruses, or microbes from entering the body.


• Additionally, the skin of the integumentary system produces proteins that are known as keratinocytes. Keratinocytes make what are called interferons. Interferons are proteins that help to prevent infection from viruses.


• The skin also contains dendritic cells that interact with antigens and deliver then deliver the antigens to the lymphatic organs. Once delivered to a lymphatic organ, the antigen is attacked by the immune system.