Innate Immunity

Is the bodys ability to resistance that exists prior to exposure to the foreign organisms/microbes [antigen]. It is called natural immunity or non specific offers first line of defense. It involves the skin cilia mucus pH and others.

Innate immunity has two mechanisms, the non induced and induced mechanisms. The non induced mechanism is due to anatomical and physiological barriers like skin and mucosa, actions of body structures like sneezing, tears, and others while induced innate is after the microbes have penetrated the barriers which result into processes like inflammatory response, complement and phagocytosis.

Components and mechanisms.

1 2 Skin, which act mechanical barrier to microbes and through local antigen-trapping system which present antigen to lymphocytes. Lysozymes in tears and other secretions, degrades peptideglycan in bacteria cell wall. Lysosomes contain degradative enzymes such as myeloperoxidase, proteases nucleases and lipases which are emptied in extracellular space as well as into the phagosome. Respiratory tract cilia filter air entering the tract through turbulence that direct the particles into its mucus covered wall. Surface phagocytes (for example alveolar macrophages) ingest and destroy microbes. Low pH in stomach and vagina, fatty acids in skin, retards growth of microbes because they can not survive at such pH. Defendins (cationic peptides) which create pores in microbial membrane and thereby killing them. How they distinguish between microbes and our cells is not known. They are located in gastrointestinal and lower respiratory tracts. Normal flora of skin, throat, colon and vagina are bacteria and fungi which permanently reside at certain parts as shown from above, occupy receptors which prevents colonization by pathogens. Natural killer cells, kill virus infected cells. They invade and punch the virus using a protein called perforins then release cytotoxic substance in the attacked cells. The attacked cell swells and dies. Neutrophils ingest and destroy microbes, and macrophages and dentritic cells, ingest and destroy microbes, and present antigen to helper T-cells. They do that by a process called phagocytosis.

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During phagocytosis, leucocytes and macrophages engulf and digest bacteria, protozoa, cells and cell debris and small particles. It involves three steps that is Migration, ingestion, and killing. Migration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) is to the site of organisms is due to chemokines such as interleukin which in addition to being chemotactic is enzyme that catalyzes the formation of bradykinin. The bacteria are ingested by invagination of the PMN cell membrane around bacteria to form a vacuole (phagosome). This engulfment is enhanced by binding of IgG antibodies to the surface of bacteria, a process called opsonisation. Killing of the organism within the phagosome is two step process that consists of degranulation followed by production of hypochlorite ions which are probably the most important microbicial agents. 10 Interferons, inhibits viral replication. 11 Complement, C3b is an opsonin; membrane attack complex creates holes in bacteria membrane. Complement system consists of approximately 20 proteins that are present in normal human serum. The term complement refers to the ability of to complement that is augment, the effects of other components of the immune system for example antibody. 12 Transferrin and lactferrin sequester iron required for bacteria growth. 13 Fever, elevated temperature retards bacteria growth. 14 Inflammatory response limits spread of microbes by coagulating proteins in tissue spaces thus preventing movement of the invading organism. 15 APOBEC3G (apolipoprotein B RNA-editing enzyme), causes hypermutation in retrovial DNA and mRNA. 16 Mucus act as protective barrier to epithelial cells and microbes adhere in the covered walls which are removed by mechanical stratagems such as ciliary movement, coughing and sneezing. Among other mechanical factors which help to protect the epithelia surfaces include washing action of tears saliva and urine. 17 Eosinophils may kill extracellular larger parasite which may be responsible for failure to establish a foothold in potential hosts.

Reference.
1 2 3 Roitts Essential immunology, 11th edition, By Peter J Delves at el, 2006, page 120. Medical microbiology and Immunology, 8th edition, By Lange, Mc Graw Hill, page 25-29, 53-56, 387-389. Primer to the immune response, By Tak W Mak and Mary S Saunders, 2008, page 43-46.

MBARARA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

FACULTY OF MEDICINE.

DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE. IMMUNOLOGY COURSE WORK. REG: 2008/MLS/003. NAME: WASSWA FREDRICKSON B.