Innate And Adaptive Immunity Lecture

Question 0

Describe the main differences between the innate and adaptive immune responses

Answer 0

Innate - present from birth, non-specific, not enhanced by second exposure, no memory, poorly effective without adaptive response
Adaptive - arises from exposure to microorganisms, specific pathogen immunity, enhanced by second exposure, acquires memory (memory cells), poorly effective without innate response

Question 1

Briefly describe the cellular and humoral components of the innate and adaptive immune systems

Answer 1

Innate cellular - macrophages and monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils and mast cells, natural killer cells
Innate humoral - transferrin and lactoferrin (deprive micro organisms of iron), interferons (inhibit viral replication), lysosomes, antimicrobial peptides, fibronectin (opsonises bacteria and promotes their phagocytosis), complement (causes destruction of microorganisms), TNF-a (suppresses viral replication and activates phagocytes)
Adaptive cellular - T cells (helper - when CD4 binds –> active T helper and T memory and killer - releases perforin), B cells (plasma cells, memory cells, cytokines)
Adaptive humoral - cytokines (differentiation and proliferation of lymphocytes), perforin (destroys cell walls), antibodies (protect host by neutralisation, opsonisation, complement activation)

Question 2

Give examples of the cooperation and interdependence of the innate and adaptive immune systems

Answer 2

Innate response is quicker but adaptive response lasts much longer after infection
Lacking innate - organisms increase
Lacking adaptive - organisms increase, duration is longer
Both - bell shaped curve