VMC 221: Veterinary Immunology and Serology (1+1)

INNATE IMMUNITY

• Innate immunity is the first line of defense against infectious organisms and do not depend on previous exposure i.e. the immunity existed before encountering the microbes.
• The principal components of innate immunity are
  • Physical and chemical barriers - e.g. skin , epithelial cells, tears etc.
  • Biological Barriers - Phagocytic cells (neutrophils, macrophages) and NK (natural killer) cells.
  • Blood proteins - complement and other mediators of inflammation (Humoral factors).
  • Cellular factors - cytokines
  • Genetic factors