Innate Immunity Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the key differences between the innate and adaptive immune systems.

A

Innate: handles 95% of antigens, non-specific, occurs immediately

Adaptive: handles 5% of antigens, specific, variable lag periods

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2
Q

What are the three lines of defense?

A

First: Innate, physical and chemical barriers
Second: Innate, cellular defense
Third: Adaptive, cellular (cytotoxic) and humoral (antibodies)

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3
Q

The skin, G.I. system, respiratory system, urogenital system, and mammary glands are what type of barriers?

A

Physical (first line)

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4
Q

Lysozymes, complement c’, lysins, chemokines, opsonins, and acute phase proteins are what type of barriers?

A

Chemical (first line)

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5
Q

Describe ways the the skin acts as a physical barrier.

A
  • contains sebaceous glands that contain acidic sebum, which degrades antigens
  • natural intactness/durability
  • microbiome/non-pathogenic bacteria on the surface compete against pathogens and produce antimicrobial peptides
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6
Q

What roles does saliva play as a physical barrier?

A

Flushing action of pathogens; lysozymes

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7
Q

What are lysozymes?

A

A naturally occurring enzyme found in bodily secretions (tears, saliva, sweat) and in the G.I. tract that has antimicrobial factors (cleaves bacterial cell walls –> cell death)

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8
Q

How does urine act as a physical barrier?

A

Flushing action; low-pH environment kills pathogens

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9
Q

What is the vagina’s epithelium rich in that allows it to serve as a physical barrier?

A

Glycogen, which promotes the growth of “Lactobacillus” => lactic acid –> antimicrobial

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10
Q

What is the significance of the trachea being lined by mucous with regard to the respiratory tract’s role as a physical barrier?

A

Goblet cells produce mucous –> mucous secretes lysozymes on trachea lining. Ciliary lining of trachea push pathogen-containing mucous out of body (i.e., coughing)

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11
Q

What are lectins and why are they significant for the mammary glands’ role as a physical barrier?

A

Lectins are proteins within mammary glands that act as receptors for lactoferrin, an iron-binding glycoprotein. Lactoferrin decreases the availability of iron; invading pathogens must be bound to iron in order to multiply

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12
Q

What are complement (C’) proteins and their roles as a chemical barrier? Where are they produced in the body?

A

C’ proteins work together to opsonize foreign pathogens and induce phagocytosis; are ubiquitous in the body because infection can occur anywhere (produced by: parenchyma of liver, macrophages, monocytes, GI/urinary tracts, etc.)

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13
Q

Describe the chemotaxis function of c’ proteins.

A

C’ proteins attract/recruit neutrophils and macrophages to site of antigen for phagocytosis

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14
Q

What 2 C’ proteins are critical for maintaining the immune system, regulating inflammation and eliminating antigens?

A

C3 and C5

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15
Q

Describe the opsonization process of the complement system.

A

E.g., C3 is cleaved –> C3b. C3b binds to antigen; the recruited macrophage has a receptor site for C3b –> phagocytosis of antigen (and C3b).

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