Innate Immune Response Overview

Bone marrow

A substance inside bones where white blood cells are produced. This is also where some of the white blood cells mature.

Cytokines

Small protein molecules released by macrophages that play a role in all phases of the immune response.

Edema

Swelling of tissue that is a feature of the inflammatory response.

Inflammatory response

A response initiated by macrophages and characterized by pain, redness, heat and swelling at the site of infection. The inflammatory response has three purposes: Allows additional immune cells to come to the site of the infection, helps in local blood clotting to prevent further spread of the infection, helps promote the repair of damaged tissues.

Macrophages

Long-lived cells of the immune system that are often found in tissues just beneath epithelial cells. These cells are activated when a pathogen breaches a physical barrier, such as the skin. These cells play a central role in the innate immune response because they ingest pathogens and debris, such as dead cells in tissues. They also release cytokines, which activate other parts of the immune response.

Monocytes

A type of white blood cells that are produced in the bone marrow and travel through the blood to tissues. They develop to macrophages and other type of white blood cell.

Natural killer (NK) cells

Cells of the innate immune system that are activated early during an infection and play a key role in preventing it from spreading.

Neutrophils

Cells that circulate in the blood, then enter tissues when signaled by cytokines to combat an infection. These short-lived cells ingest and kill pathogens and are a major component of pus.

Pathogen

A disease-causing agent such as a bacterium or virus.

White Blood cells

A type of blood cells that play a crucial role in the body's immune system and protect the body from infections and other harmful substances.