Immunology - Innate Immune Response Flashcards
Two methods of communication in the immune system
Direct contact
Indirect
Direct contact communication
Receptor (e.g. immune cell)
Ligand (e.g. pathogen, immune cell, tissue cell)
Indirect communication
Injured tissue cells and activated immune cells can produce and secrete cytokines
Autocrine signal acts on immune cells or injured tissue
Paracrine signal acts on nearby cells
Phases of Innate Immune Cell Response
Recognition
Activation
Effector
Recognition Phase
Pathogens express PAMPs (pathogen associated molecular patterns)
Innate immune cells express PRRs (pattern recognition receptors) specific to PAMPs
Activation and Effector Phase
Acute inflammation and pathogen killing
Role of Macrophages
Induction of apoptosis
Recognition and removal of dying cells by phagocytes
Clearance of apoptotic cells
Apoptotic cells release signals to attract and activate macrophages
Macrophages recognise the signals
Macrophages rearrange their cytoskeleton and internalise apoptotic cells
Digestion of apoptotic cells
Secretion of anti-inflammatory mediators
Phagocytosis
Receptor binds to signals of apoptotic cell - forms a phagocytic cup
Cup extends round and pinches off the target, forming a phagosome
Fuse with lysosomes to form a phagolysosome
Contents are degraded
Debris released into extracellular fluid
Innate Immune Response of Macrophages
Kill pathogens
Produce inflammatory mediators
Cannot kill infected tissues
Innate Immune Response of Mast Cells
Produce inflammatory mediators by degranulation (released of preformed) and gene expression (production of new)
Cannot kill infected tissues or pathogens
Innate Immune Response of NK Cells
Kill infected tissue
Produce inflammatory markers
Cannot kill pathogens
Systemic Effects of Cytokine Release
Fever
Acute Phase Response
Increased neutrophil production
Acute Phase Response
Alters pasma concentrations of specific proteins in response to inflammation
Driven by cytokines
Due to altered protein synthesis in the liver
C Reactive Proteins
Acute phase protein
Marker of inflammation
Enhance phagocytosis
Activate complement system