(UC) Innate Immunity

Question 1

What is the fundamental feature of innate immunity?

Answer 1

Non-specific pattern recognition receptors these are germ-line encoded.

Question 2

Contrast with B cells/Ab

Answer 2

• Adaptive immunity (B cells/ T cells) produce receptors by somatic recombination; receptors are antigen-specific
• Innate immunity (everything else) has germline-encoded receptors; pattern-recognition receptors

Question 3

Innate immunity functions

Answer 3

• Prevents infection
• Promotes acute inflammation
• Responds rapidly
• In evolutionary terms, innate immunity is far older than adaptive immunity
• However, neither is inferior or superior to the other; both are needed for an effective immune response

Question 4

Eyes/nose innate barriers

Answer 4

epithelial cells

lysozymes

Question 5

Lungs barriers

Answer 5

epithelial cells
mucus and cilia
antibacterial peptides

Question 6

Gut

Answer 6

Epithelial cells
longitudinal flow of fluid
low pH
Enzymes
antibacterial peptides
flora

Question 7

Skin

Answer 7

epi cells
longitudinal flow of air/fluid
fatty acids
antibacterial peptides
normal flora