3 - Innate immunity Flashcards
Innate immune system
- First line of host defence against infections
- Starts acting immediately on encounter with infectious agents
- Instructs adaptive immune system to respond to different microbes
- Role in clearance of dead tissues and initiation of repair
- Responds in same way to repeat encounters (No memory)
4 examples of chemical and anatomic barriers that protect against pathogens
- Lysozyme in tears (dissolves cell walls)
- Mucus and cilia lining trachea (move pathogens out of body)
- Skin (barrier that produces antibacterial peptides)
- Stomach acidity (pH 2) inhibits microbial growth
3 more examples of chemical and anatomic barriers that protect against pathogens
- Normal flora (compete with pathogens in gut and on skin)
- Flushing of urinary tract prevents infection
- Mucus, antibacterial peptides and phagocytes prevent infection in lungs
3 examples of mechanical barriers
- Epithelial cells joined by tight junctions
- Longitudinal flow of air or fluid
- Movement of mucus by cilia
3 examples of chemical barriers
- Fatty acids
- Low pH
- Antibacterial peptides (defensins)
Example of microbiological barriers
Normal flora
Complement system
Includes several plasma proteins that work together to
opsonise microbes, promote phagocyte recruitment, and directly kill microbes
Opsonisation
Process by which a microorganism is coated by serum components enhancing recognition and ingestion by phagocytic cells
Outcomes of the complement system
- Direct killing of some
bacteria (Gram negative more susceptible) - Production of C3b (opsonin) leading to phagocytosis
- Release of C3a and C5a involved in inflammation
Role of complement system in inflammation
- Attract and activate neutrophils
- Activates mast cells (release of histamine and leukotriene contributes to increased vascular permeability)
Cytokines
Generic term for any soluble protein secreted by immune cells that affects the behaviour of cells bearing appropriate receptors
How many cytokines are there
More than 60, produced by many different cell types
Effects of cytokines
- Can change expression of adhesion molecules and receptors in the target membrane
- Activate cell proliferation and differentiation or modulate effector functions
- Signal cells to survive or die
Examples of cytokines
- Interleukins/Hematipoietins (IL)
- Interferons (IFN)
- Tumour Necrosis Factors (TNF)
- Colony Stimulating Factors (CSF)
- Chemokines
Granulocytes
- Neutrophil
- Eosinophil
- Basophil
Neutrophils
The most abundant population of circulating white blood cell and the principal cell type in acute inflammatory reactions
Characteristics of neutrophils
- Multilobed nuclei connected by thin chromatin bridges.
- Cytoplasmic granules have enzymes such as lysozyme, collagenase, and defensins
Functions of neutrophils
- Phagocytosis
- Degranulation and the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs)
Functions of eosinophils
- Killing of antibody coated parasites
- Triggered by infectious and non infectious (allergies) processes
Characteristics of Eosinophils
bilobed nucleus with large specific granules that store cytokines, cationic proteins and enzymes
Mast cells
Release of granules containing histamine and active agents
Basophils
Found in blood, representing less than 1% of circulating white blood cells