Innate Immunity and Inflammation

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on innate immunity and inflammation.

What is the immune system?

The immune system is the collection of cells, tissues, and molecules that mediate reactions to pathogens and some non-infectious substances.

What defines immunity?

Immunity is the resistance to infectious diseases and also includes responses to non-infectious substances, damaged cells, and tumor cells.

What are the functions of the immune system?

Prevent infection, eradicate established infections, control tissue regeneration, detect and eliminate tumors, and tolerate self.

What are congenital and acquired immune deficiencies?

Congenital immune deficiencies are primary defects present from birth, while acquired immune deficiencies are secondary, resulting from factors like infections, e.g., HIV.

What are the five hallmarks of the innate immune system?

Speed, short-lived duration, repetitive responses, interactive with other cells, non-reactive to the host.

What role do cytokines play in the immune response?

Cytokines are proteins that modulate inflammatory and immune reactions and serve as key communicators between cells.

How does inflammation benefit the immune response?

A little bit of inflammation can kickstart the immune system to respond to infections.

What are the differences between innate and adaptive immunity?

Innate immunity has limited diversity and does not remember pathogens, whereas adaptive immunity has diverse responses, specificity, memory, and clonal expansion.

What is opsonisation?

Opsonisation is the process where antibodies coat antigenic particles to promote their phagocytosis by immune cells.

What is the function of IgA in mucosal immunity?

IgA binds microbes in the lumen and prevents their binding and entry into host tissues.

What is the role of helper T cells?

Helper T cells assist other cells in the immune response and can have specialized functions, including regulating the immune response.

What distinguishes Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTLs)?

CTLs specifically kill target cells, receiving assistance from helper T cells and playing a key role in viral infections and anti-tumor immunity.