Innate Immune Response - Humoral Elements

Lipid signaling molecules derived from arachidonic acid.

Lipid mediators that include prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and platelet activating factor (PAF).

An enzyme that converts arachidonic acid into prostaglandins.

An enzyme that converts arachidonic acid into leukotrienes.

Short peptides that have broad antimicrobial activity.

A family of proteins that bind to carbohydrate patterns on microbes.

A type of collectin that binds to mannose residues on microbes.

The process by which a pathogen is coated with antibodies or complement proteins, making it easier for phagocytes to engulf it.

Cytokines are small proteins that act as signaling molecules in the immune system, coordinating and amplifying immune responses. They have local and systemic effects and are essential for communication between immune cells.

IL-1 (Interleukin-1) is a cytokine primarily produced by macrophages, endothelial cells, and certain epithelial cells. It plays a crucial role in activating vascular endothelium, stimulating the production of other cytokines like IL-6, and triggering fever.

IL-6 is a cytokine produced by macrophages, endothelial cells, and T cells, and is involved in promoting antibody production, inducing class switching in B cells, and stimulating the production of acute phase proteins (APPs) by the liver.

TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha) is a cytokine produced by macrophages, T cells, and other immune cells. It is involved in activating vascular endothelium, increasing vascular permeability, recruiting neutrophils, and inducing fever. It also plays a role in apoptosis (programmed cell death) and can contribute to septic shock.

IL-12 is a cytokine primarily produced by macrophages and dendritic cells, and acts as a bridge between the innate and adaptive immune responses. It stimulates the production of IFN-γ by T cells and NK cells, which are important for fighting intracellular pathogens.

Interferons (IFNs) are a family of cytokines with antiviral properties. They are produced by most cells, including immune cells. There are three main types: IFN-α, IFN-β, and IFN-γ, each with distinct roles in antiviral immunity.

Chemokines are a family of small proteins that act as chemoattractants, drawing different types of immune cells to the site of infection. IL-8, for example, attracts neutrophils, basophils, and T cells.

Macrophage Chemoattractant Factor 1 (MCP-1) is a chemokine produced by macrophages, neutrophils, and endothelial cells, and is primarily responsible for attracting monocytes to the site of infection.

A group of serum proteins that play a crucial role in both innate and adaptive immune responses. They act as a complement to antibody function by enhancing pathogen clearance.

The classical pathway is triggered by the binding of antibodies to antigens on pathogens. This pathway is part of both the innate and adaptive immune responses. The MBL (mannan binding lectin) pathway is triggered by the binding of MBL to mannose residues on the surface of pathogens. This pathway is part of the innate immune response.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein that binds to phosphorylcholine on the surface of bacteria and fungi, acting as an opsonin and activating complement. Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is another acute phase protein that acts as an opsonin for monocytes and activates the complement cascade. Both CRP and MBL are important in pathogen recognition and clearance.

These are proteins that stimulate production of acute phase proteins (APPs) by hepatocytes. They play a key role in regulating inflammation and immune responses.

Collectins are proteins that bind to carbohydrate patterns on microbes. They aid in pathogen recognition and clearance, acting as opsonins and activating the complement cascade, similar to acute phase proteins. They are major players in the innate immune response.