Inate Immunity Flashcards
Innate immunity definition:
Natural immunity that is present from birth.
Non-specific.
Innate immunity examples (5):
Physical barriers
Inflammatory mediators
Complement proteins
Acute phase proteins
Immune cells
Skin structure:
Tightly packed, highly keratinised cells.
Contains sebaceous glands which secrete hydrophobic oils, lysosomes and ammonia
Physiological factors of skin:
Low pH (5.5)
Low oxygen tension
Where do you find mucous membranes?
Line all body cavities that are in contact with the external environment
How does mucus kill pathogens?
Traps bacteria
Contains lysosomes and defensins that kill pathogens
What does commensalism bacteria do?
Competes with pathogens for resources and produce fatty acids and bactericidins that stops pathogens growing
What do interferons do?
Signal to uninflected cells to:
- Destroy RNA and reduce protein synthesis
- Undergo apoptosis
How are immune cells activated?
By interferons
What are cytokines?
Interferons released by virally infected cells
What do macrophages do?
Phagocytose bacteria
Phagocytosis process (7):
- PRRs binds to PAMPs on pathogen signalling formation of the phagocytic cup
- Cup extends around the pathogen and pinches off forming a phagosome
- Phagosome fuses with lysosome forming a phagolysosome
- Pathogen killed and contents degraded
- Debris released into extracellular fluid
- Pathogen-derived peptides are expressed on special cell surface receptors (MHC-II)
- Pro-inflammatory mediators released (TNF⍺) causing acute inflammation
How do innate immune cells recognise pathogens?
Pathogens express signature molecules not found on/in human cells called PAMPS
What does PAMPS stand for?
Pathogens associated molecular patterns
What does PAMPS stand for?
Pathogens associated molecular patterns