Innate Immunity Flashcards
What is the immune system?
A complex network of cells/soluble molecules which interact with one/other to remove foreign material from the body
What two types of pathogens does the immune system destroy?
- Intracellular
- Extracellular
What are the intracellular pathogens destroyed by the immune system? (2)
- Viruses (reproduce in cell)
- Some bacteria
What are the extracellular organisms destroyed by the immune system? (4)
- Bacteria
- Parasite
- Worms
- Cancer cells
What types of conditions result from errors in the immune system? (4)
- Allergic reaction
- Immunopathology
- Immune deficiency
- Autoimmunity
What is an allergic reaction? (2)
- Hypersensitivity to foreign non pathogenic antigens
- Mounting immune response to enviornmental material
What is immunopathology?
Excessive immune response causing tissue/organ damage
What is autoimmunity?
Self reactivity to own tissues/cells
What is immune deficiency caused by? (3)
- Passive maternal antibody transfer shortly before birth protects neonate
- Neonate normally develops own immune system shortly after birth
- If not: common resp problems due to loss of maternal antibodies and lack of own immunity
What are the requirements of the immune system? (2)
- Function in context of physiological functions of tissues
- Function despite evolutionary pressures
What are the two pressure on the immune system that come into conflict? (2)
- Protective
- Preservative
What is the protective function of the immune system?
The most effective means of destroying harmful pathogens
What is the preservative function of the immune system?
Immune mediated protection without disrupting normal physiological function
What is the relationship between the protective and preservative functions of the immune system?
Inverse - more protective, less preservative
What does the immune system response depend on?
The area of the body
What is a common bacteria found on the skin?
Staphylococcus aureus
What can be caused by staphylococcus aureus breaching the skin? (2)
- Cellulitis
- Tissue damage
Give 3 examples of viruses that cause infections
- Variola (small pox)
- Influenza virus
- HIV
How does HIV operate? (2)
- Attacks own body’s immune system
- Binds to T cells and destroys them
What common parasite does the immune system protect against?
Brugia malayi
What common condition does brugia malayi lead to?
Elephantitus
What is elephantitus?
Enlargement of limbs due to tissue swelling because of lymphatic blockage
Give an example of a prominent autoimmune disease
Multiple sclerosis
What causes autoimmunity?
Failure to distinguish self from non self