THE INNATE IMMUNE SYSTEM Flashcards
What is the primary goal of the innate immune system?
To fight the pathogen/kill it off
What differentiates the innate immune system from the adaptive immune system?
The innate immune system is unspecified and always available for any pathogen. The adaptive immune system is specified, will take time to recruit and is specific to pathogens.
What are a few cells/components of the innate immune system?
Monocytes/Macrophages, Neutrophils, Natural Killer cells, Accessory Proteins
What are some “accessory” proteins used by the innate immune system?
Cytokines, chemokines and complement proteins.
What is the main function of mast cells?
Induce an inflammatory response at the site of infection
What is the main function of macrophages/monocytes?
Engulf proteins via phagocytosis
What are the functions of dendritic cells
- Induce phagocytosis and engulf bacteria via phagocytosis
- Present antigens to T cells to activate the adaptive immune system.
Where can dendritic cells be found?
Anywhere in the body, but most popularly in the lymph nodes
Where can monocytes/macrophage cells be found?
Liver, spleen and lungs
What is the complement system?
A series of 9 proteins that create the MAC complex or membrane attacking complex
What does the MAC complex do?
The MAC complex creates a pore on the membrane of pathogens, which allows nutrients to flow out and water to flow in eventually destroying it.
In the classical pathway, what protein/proteins activates C3?
C3 Convertase or C4bC2a
In the classical pathway, what protein/proteins activates C5?
C5 Convertase or C4bC2aC3b
What are the 3 remaining proteins from the classical pathway of the complement system that are NOT used?
C3a, C3b, C5a
What function does C3a have in the innate immune system?
C3a induces the release of vasoactive molecules like histamine by mast cells. This triggers inflammation.
What function does C3b have in the innate immune system?
Stimulates opsonization of bacteria - tagging of the pathogens for macrophages.
What function does C5a have in the innate immune system?
C5a attracts phagocytes to the site of infection.
What triggers the alternative pathway of the complement system?
Self-activation of C3 protein
What is the C3 Convertase of the alternative pathway?
C3bBb
What is the C5 Convertase of the alternative pathway?
C3bBbC3b
Why is the classical pathway of the complement system so complicated?
So that the host can not mistake the cell it is attacking for a host cell. It is a fail-safe.
How does the body protect itself from the alternative pathway (ie. self-activation of C3?)
Host cells are protected by sialic acid which stops activity of C3bBbC3b.
What is a defense that pathogens have adapted to combat the MAC complex?
Pathogens will produce capsules made of sialic acid so the host is unable to detect a foreign body.
What is an example of a pathogen that uses sialic acid capsules?
Neisseria meningitidis is a pathogen that infects the brain. It uses a sialic acid capsule to camouflage throughout the body and reach the brain.
Which cytokines trigger an inflammatory response?
IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha
What effect do cytokines have on the body during the immune response?
Cytokines trigger inflammation, redness, fever and pain.
What are PAMPs?
Pathogen Associated Membrane Proteins. They are patterns that are recognized by the host to identify bacteria.
How does the host use PAMPs to increase its defense?
The host detects characteristics that are most associated with pathogens to determine if a foreign body is present.
What are some PAMPs?
- peptidoglycan fragments
- flagellin from flagella
- CpG-rich DNA
- LPS/lipoteichoic acid