Week 10 - Mucosal Immunity

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to mucosal immunity, providing definitions to key terms and concepts for exam preparation.

Mucus

A thick, protective substance that helps safeguard mucosal surfaces.

Commensal microorganisms

Beneficial microbes residing in the gut that aid in digestion and immune function.

Dimeric IgA

A form of immunoglobulin A that plays a crucial role in mucosal immunity.

GALT (Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue)

Lymphoid tissues associated with the gut that facilitate immune responses.

Inflammation

A localized protective response to injury or infection, potentially causing redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

Epithelial cells

Cells that line the gut and have receptors for detecting bacterial components.

M Cells

Specialized epithelial cells that transport antigens to immune cells in Peyer's patches.

Cytokines

Signaling proteins produced by cells that mediate and regulate immunity and inflammation.

T cells

A type of lymphocyte involved in the adaptive immune response, capable of recognizing specific antigens.

B cells

A type of lymphocyte that produces antibodies and assists in humoral immunity.

Helminths

Parasitic worms that can reside in the intestines and provoke an immune response.

Oral tolerance

A state of immune unresponsiveness to ingested antigens, typically to prevent allergic reactions.

Antibody transport

The process by which antibodies, like IgA and IgM, are moved across epithelial cells to mucosal surfaces.

IgA deficiency

A condition characterized by low levels of immunoglobulin A, affecting mucosal immunity.

Peyer’s patches

Aggregated lymphoid nodules in the small intestine involved in the immune response.

Effector cells

Activated immune cells that carry out functions to eliminate pathogens.