Definitions 2 Flashcards
What is opsonization?
The coating of pathogens with antibodies to mark them for destruction.
What is opsonin?
Antibody or other substance that binds to microorganisms making them susceptible to phagocytosis.
What is phagocytosis?
A process by which WBCs (phagocytes) engulf and digest cells.
What is a phagosome?
A vesicle formed around a particle engulfed by a phagocyte.
What is a phagolysosome?
A cytoplasmic body formed by the fusion of a phagosome with a lysosome.
What is C5a?
A strong chemoattractant that is involved in the recruitment of inflammatory cells (neutrophils, T cells, etc) and activate phagocytic cells.
What is C3b?
An opsonin; binds the membrane of pathogenic cells and then coats them with antibodies.
What is MAC?
The effector cells that forms pores in the plasma membrane of pathogens/targeted cells, leading to osmolysis.
What is chemotaxis?
Movement of a motile cell in a direction corresponding to a gradient of increasing or decreasing concentration of a particular substance.
What is selectin?
Part of a family of adhesion molecules that enable the initial attachment of a leukocyte from the bloodstream.
What is integrin?
Glycoproteins on cell surfaces that are involved in the adhesion of cells.
What are pattern recognition receptors (PRRs)?
Proteins capable of recognizing molecules frequently found in pathogens (PAMPs), or molecules released by damaged cells (DAMPs).
What is a pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP)?
Highly conserved structural motifs that are recognized by Pathogen Recognition receptors (PRRs) to initiate immune response.
What are acute phase proteins?
Produced in the liver in response to inflammatory cytokines. They increase inflammatory states.
What are Kupffer cells?
Resident liver macrophages; play a critical role in maintaining liver functions. They are the first innate immune cells and protect the liver from bacterial infections.
