Innate Immunity

The innate immune system performs several crucial functions to provide the body with immediate defense against pathogens. Here are the major functions of the innate immune system:

  • Physical and Chemical Barriers: The body's external surfaces, such as the skin and mucous membranes, act as physical barriers that prevent the entry of pathogens. Additionally, various chemicals, such as enzymes and antimicrobial peptides, present in these barriers provide defense mechanisms by inhibiting pathogen growth.
  • Pathogen Recognition: The innate immune system is equipped with pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that can identify conserved molecular patterns associated with pathogens, known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). PRRs detect PAMPs on pathogens and trigger an immune response to eliminate them.
  • Rapid Response: Unlike the adaptive immune system, which takes time to mount a specific response, the innate immune system provides a rapid response to pathogens. It acts as the first line of defense, initiating the immune response within hours or even minutes of pathogen detection.
  • Phagocytosis: Phagocytic cells, including macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells, play a crucial role in innate immunity. They engulf and destroy pathogens through a process called phagocytosis. Phagocytes recognize and bind to pathogens, internalize them, and degrade them using enzymes and other antimicrobial substances.
  • Inflammation: The innate immune system triggers an inflammatory response upon pathogen detection or tissue damage. This response is characterized by increased blood flow, recruitment of immune cells to the site of infection, and release of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, chemokines, and histamines. Inflammation helps to contain the infection, eliminate pathogens, and promote tissue repair.
  • Activation of the Adaptive Immune Response: The innate immune system plays a crucial role in activating the adaptive immune response. During infection, innate immune cells present antigens from pathogens to adaptive immune cells, such as T cells and B cells. This interaction initiates the adaptive immune response, leading to the production of pathogen-specific antibodies, activation of cytotoxic T cells, and the generation of immunological memory.
  • Complement System: The complement system, a group of proteins in the blood, is part of the innate immune system. It can be activated by pathogens or antibodies and functions to enhance phagocytosis, directly kill pathogens through the formation of membrane attack complexes (MACs), and facilitate the clearance of immune complexes.
  • Host Defense Peptides: The innate immune system produces small antimicrobial peptides known as host defense peptides (HDPs) or antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). These peptides have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and directly kill pathogens by disrupting their cell membranes. HDPs also possess immunomodulatory functions, regulating the immune response and promoting wound healing.

The innate immune system is essential for immediate protection against pathogens and acts as a bridge to the adaptive immune response. Its functions are critical for maintaining overall immune homeostasis and defending the body against various infections.

Innate Immune System cells - Creative BioMart

Core Players in Innate Immunity

Coagulation: The coagulation system is primarily involved in hemostasis, but it also plays a role in innate immunity. Coagulation factors, such as thrombin and fibrinogen, can directly kill pathogens and contribute to the formation of a physical barrier to prevent pathogen spread.

Complement System: The complement system consists of a group of proteins that work together to eliminate pathogens. Activation of the complement system leads to the opsonization of pathogens (marking them for phagocytosis), formation of membrane attack complexes (MACs) to directly lyse pathogens, and release of inflammatory mediators.

Granulocyte Markers: Granulocytes are a category of white blood cells characterized by the presence of granules in their cytoplasm. They include neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. Granulocyte markers, such as CD15 and CD16, are used to identify and distinguish these cells in immune cell analysis.

Lysosomal Enzymes: Lysosomal enzymes, such as lysozyme and proteases, are present in various cells of the innate immune system, including macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. These enzymes play a crucial role in the degradation and elimination of pathogens within phagosomes.

Mast Cell: Mast cells are tissue-resident cells involved in both innate and adaptive immune responses. They are primarily known for their role in allergic reactions, but they also release inflammatory mediators, such as histamine and cytokines, in response to pathogen recognition. Mast cells contribute to the initiation and regulation of immune responses.

Monocyte/Macrophage: Monocytes are circulating white blood cells that can differentiate into macrophages upon entering tissues. Macrophages are phagocytic cells that engulf and destroy pathogens, present antigens to initiate adaptive immune responses and secrete cytokines to modulate immune responses.

Myeloid Cell: Myeloid cells are a group of immune cells derived from bone marrow progenitor cells. They include granulocytes, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and mast cells. Myeloid cells play diverse roles in innate immunity, such as phagocytosis, antigen presentation, and cytokine production.

Natural Killer (NK) Cell: NK cells are lymphocytes that play a vital role in innate immunity. They recognize and kill virus-infected cells, tumor cells, and cells displaying abnormal self-markers. NK cells release cytotoxic granules and secrete cytokines to eliminate target cells and regulate immune responses.

Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs): Pattern recognition receptors are specialized proteins expressed by cells of the innate immune system that recognize specific patterns associated with pathogens, known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Toll-like receptors (TLRs), NOD-like receptors (NLRs), RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), and C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) are examples of PRRs. They initiate immune responses upon binding to PAMPs, triggering downstream signaling pathways and activating immune cells.

These central players in innate immunity contribute to the detection, elimination, and control of pathogens, and they collectively form a robust defense system against infections.

Available Resources for Innate Immunity

Creative BioMart is a global provider of products related to the core participants in the innate immune system, including recombinant proteins. We also offer customized services tailored to your specific requirements. In addition, we provide a wealth of resources for your reference, such as information on innate immune-related pathways, protein functions, interacting proteins, articles, research domains, and other topics. These resources will assist you in gaining a deeper understanding and application of innate immune-related knowledge.

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References:

  1. Janeway Jr C A, Travers P, Walport M, et al. Principles of innate and adaptive immunity[M]//Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health and Disease. 5th edition. Garland Science, 2001.
  2. Orange J S, Frank M M, Turvey S E. Innate Immunity[M]. 2013.
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