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The innate immune system is the body's initial defense against pathogens, featuring barriers like skin, cellular defenses such as phagocytes, and molecular responses like cytokines. It includes an inflammatory response to isolate foreign substances and utilizes white blood cells for protection. Pathogens have evolved to evade this system, highlighting the need for advanced research in immunology.
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Physical barriers like skin and mucous membranes serve as the first line of defense in the innate immune system
Acidic environment
The acidic environment of the stomach is a chemical defense that helps protect against pathogens
Antimicrobial peptides
Antimicrobial peptides are chemical defenses that can directly kill pathogens
The normal microbiota that colonize the gut and other sites play a protective role by outcompeting potential pathogens
Inflammation can occur due to bacteria, trauma, toxins, heat, or other causes
Inflammation helps isolate foreign substances and draws leukocytes to the site of injury to destroy them
Leukocytes are involved in the inflammatory response by engulfing and destroying foreign substances
The complement system is activated in the presence of pathogens, leading to a cascade of reactions that enhance phagocytosis and recruit inflammatory cells
Enhancing phagocytosis
The complement system enhances phagocytosis, the process of engulfing and digesting pathogens
Directly killing pathogens
The complement system can directly kill pathogens by forming membrane attack complexes
Recruiting inflammatory cells
The complement system can recruit inflammatory cells to the site of infection
Mast cells release histamine and other mediators in response to infection and play a role in allergic reactions
Macrophages engulf and digest cellular debris and pathogens
Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cells and are the first to arrive at the site of infection