Skin Immune Functions Flashcards
1
Q
Draw a table to show the differences between the innate and aquired immune responses
A
2
Q
How does the skin act as a barrier to pathogens?
A
- Stratum corneum - continually provides adaptive and protective properties
- Antimicrobial peptides - defensins, cathelicidins
- Skin microbiome - commensal bacteria (Streptococcus epidermis stimulate skin and immune cells to produce IL-1), anti-inflammatory role
- Cutaneous lipids - sphingolipids (contributes to physical, permeability and immunologic barriers), cholesterol
3
Q
What are the sentinel cells found in the skin?
A
- Keratinocytes - produce chemokines (T cell and macrophage recruitment), cytokines (arm effector cells and direct the immune response)
- Dendritic cells - major role in antigen presentation, epidermis (Langerhans cells) and dermis
- Mast cells - release histamine
- Lymphocytes - T cells
4
Q
What are the roles of keratinocytes?
A
- Immunity
- Express a range of PRRs (pattern recognition receptors)
- Respond to DAMPs (damage associated molecular pattern) and PAMPs (pathogen associated molecular pattern)
- Pro-inflammatory effector cell
- Produces a compex mixture of AMPs, pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines
- Non-professional antigen presenting cell
- Expresses MHC class II
- Can interact with antigen experienced T cells
5
Q
Describe the skins innate immune system
A
6
Q
Describe the skins adaptive immune response
A
7
Q
What is the role of Langerhans cells?
A
- Link the innate and adaptive immune response
- Directly interact with skin resident memory T cells - induce activation & proliferation, control proliferation
8
Q
What are the 3 types of skin immune surveillance?
A
- Primary - innate immune system ensures effective engagement of adaptive immune response
- Secondary - rapid and effective local immune response to previously encountered antigen
- Tertiary - enhanced adaptive immune response to same antigen in a different tissue
