Chapter 24- Innate immune system Flashcards
Innate immunity
Defenses that are at the ready (do not need to develop) and are non-specific. Includes epithelial tissue and components, and components of the immune system
Acquired immunity
Takes a few days to develop and is very specific and effective. Includes lymphocytes (B and T cells) and antibodies
General components of the immune system (4)
- Phagocytic cells
- Cytotoxic cells
- Complement
- Antigen-presenting cells
General mechanisms of defense (4)
- Epithelial tissues and tight junctions
- Lysozyme – tears, saliva
- Microflora
- Mucosa
Epithelial tissues and tight junctions- mechanisms of defense
Epithelial cells have many types of junctions linking the cells together, especially tight junctions. The skin is the most effective barrier (corneocytes). GI, respiratory, urogenital tracts are effective but pathogens can be wily here
Mucosa
Mucus itself- microbes may get trapped, and coating with mucus may prevent microbial adherence. In the respiratory tract, mucus + cilia = expulsion of the pathogen
Mucosal epithelia
Acidic pH in the stomach and digestive enzymes protect the stomach and upper GI tract. Antimicrobial peptides (cationic): α-defensins and β-defensins are found in different areas of the body. They bind to and disrupt the membranes of pathogens.
Antimicrobial peptides (2)
- α-defensins- Paneth cells of small intestine
- β-defensins- Epithelial cells of skin and respiratory tract
Microflora
Bacteria that colonizes the body. Some of these bacteria produce antimicrobial compounds (like E. coli make colicins). Bacteria in the microflora have a niche that they want to protect
Models of antimicrobial peptide function (2)
- Detergent-carpet model- the antimicrobial peptides work like detergents and break the membrane apart
- Pore formation in the microbial membrane
Unclear which model is true
Cellular immunity
Includes all of the cells that are important in immune responses. Phagocytes, cytotoxic cells, TC cells (CD8), TH1 cells (CD4), Ag-presenting cells
Humoral immunity
Includes the soluble immune components, like proteins, in the serum of the blood. Includes cytokines, chemokines, complement, antibodies (secreted from B cells, TH2 cells (CD4))
Cellular players in innate immunity
Phagocytic cells- neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer (NK) cells. They are important for destroying pathogens and are also important for secreting cytokines/chemokines to attract other immune cells to the site
Humoral players in innate immunity
Complement system, chemokines and cytokines are also present here. Includes serum proteins & proteases produced by liver
Complement system
Composed of serum proteins and proteases- present in the soluble phase of blood. They are proteolytic protein molecules, so signaling is propagated by protein cleavage. There is a cascade of cleavage events largely confined to surface on which it is initiated (this is usually the pathogen surface). May be specific or non-specific, although usually this system is non-specific like most of the innate immune system. Includes antibodies, sugars, spontaneously hydrolysis
3 pathways of the complement system
- Classical- can be a specific pathway
- Alternative
- Mannan-binding lectin
3 effects of the complement system
- Inflammatory cell recruitment
- Opsonization- increases phagocytosis
- Formation of a membrane attack complex (MAC)
How do the 3 complement pathways differ?
They differ in how the complement is recruited and in their initial signaling steps
Classical pathway
Require that antibodies are bound to antigens on the pathogen surface first. This is the only pathway in which the complement can be specific. Then, the antibodies recruit the initial complement factor, which is C1q. That initiates the cascade in which an enzyme called C3 convertase is formed
Lectin pathway
Lectins are molecules that bind sugars. The complement binds directly to sugars on pathogen surfaces. MBL (mannin binding lectin) has an affinity for a sugar called mannose, which tends to be present in bacterial cells instead of eukaryotic cells. Binding initiates the rest of the pathway until a C3 convertase is formed
Alternative pathway
The complement can bind to any membrane in this pathway. The complement factor is C3b/Factor B
C3 convertase
An enzyme that needs to be made in order to have the necessary outcome for the complement system. It is central to all 3 of the complement pathways. The convertase cleaves the complement component C3 and chops it into 2 pieces: C3b (potent opsonin, coats the pathogen surface) and C3a (potent inflammatory mediator- recruits inflammatory cells)
C5 convertase
Made in cases where we have the membrane attack complex. Formed by C3b (which was made by C3 convertase) binding to C3 convertase itself, creating a dimer. C5 convertase chops complement C5 into 2 pieces. Produces C5a (very potent inflammatory mediator) and C5b (which initiates polymerization reactions leading to formation of the MAC)
MAC formation (5)
- The C5b complement component will associate with complement components C6 and C7
- C5b67 complexes bind to the pathogen membrane via C7
- Complement component C8 is recruited, it binds to the complex and inserts itself into the cell membrane
- Recruits C9- these molecules bind to the complex and polymerize
- 10-16 molecules of C9 bind to form a pore in the membrane
What prevents complements from attacking our cells?
- Lack of autoreactive antibodies- no Ab:Ag complex, no classical pathway
- Membrane receptors
- Soluble proteins/proteases
How do membrane receptors prevent the complement from attacking our cells?
In the alternative pathway, the complement can bind to any membrane, so it needs to be inhibited by our own cells. There are some endogenous receptors located in cell membranes. Complement receptor 1 (CR1) competes with Bb for binding to C3b. CD55 also competes with Bb for binding to C3b. CD59 is a membrane receptor that binds to the α chain of C8, b domain of C9. It prevents the oligomerization of the MAC
How to soluble proteins or proteases prevent complement from attacking our own cells?
There are some soluble proteins that act as endogenous inhibitors of complements. Factor H competes with Bb for binding to C3b, prevents formation of C3 convertase. C4BP competes w/ C2b for binding to C4b, prevents formation of a different C3 convertase. Factor I cleaves C3b to iC3b, destroying it
CD59 mechanism (4)
CD59 is a membrane receptor
1. In the normal pathway, the MAC (C8, C7, C6, and C5b) forms and recruits multiple molecules of C9, which oligomerize
2. All mammalian cells have CD59 in their membranes. CD59 binds to C8
3. This means that C8 and the MAC can’t really form at the membrane
4. If MAC can’t form, it can’t recruit C9