Pathology & Immunity Flashcards
Innate and Adaptive Immunity
Is innate immunity specific?
No - it is non-specific as it is the first line of defense
What are commensals?
They are microbes which lie at the mucosa and elicit low-level immune response, therefore, do not harm human health
What is the role of the epithelium in innate immune responses?
acts as a barrier
What components are produced by the epithelium within the oral cavity as part of innate immune response? (5)
- antimicrobial peptides
- immunoglobulins A
- Lactoferrin
- Lysozyme
- Cystatins
What are the components of innate immunity
- Physical/anatomical barriers
- cellular mechanisms (defence cells)
- plasma factors
What does the epithelium produce to help it act as a physical barrier?
- Antimicrobial peptides
- Cytokines/chemokines
What is the role of Chemokines?
cell recrutiment
What is the role of Cytokines?
cell activation/proliferation
Role and location of Lactoferin
glycoprotein which transports iron ions but has antimicrobial activity which is present in saliva and produced by neutrophils
Role and location of lysozymes
targets cell walls which are present in saliva
What produces lysozymes?
macrophages/neutrophils
Role of cystatins
anti-protease activity and supports remineralisation of teeth
How does secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) act?
- secretory component of SIgA adsorbs to saliva which forms a protective layer
- dimeric form allow attachment of multiple microbes
- SIgA binds and neutralises pathogens/toxins externally and internally
The main role of Toll-like receptors (TLR) (main type of receptor)
bacterial and viral recognition
What do dectin and glucan receptors recognise?
Fungi
