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Innate immune system
The innate immune system or nonspecific immune system is one of the two main immunity strategies in vertebrates (the other being the adaptive immune system). The innate immune system is an alternate defense strategy and is the dominant immune system response found in plants, fungi, prokaryotes, and invertebrates (see § Beyond vertebrates).
The major functions of the innate immune system are to :
Anatomical barriers include physical, chemical and biological barriers. The epithelial surfaces form a physical barrier that is impermeable to most infectious agents, acting as the first line of defense against invading organisms. Desquamation (shedding) of skin epithelium also helps remove bacteria and other infectious agents that have adhered to the epithelial surface. Lack of blood vessels, the inability of the epidermis to retain moisture, and the presence of sebaceous glands in the dermis, produces an environment unsuitable for the survival of microbes. In the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract, movement due to peristalsis or cilia, respectively, helps remove infectious agents. Also, mucus traps infectious agents. Gut flora can prevent the colonization of pathogenic bacteria by secreting toxic substances or by competing with pathogenic bacteria for nutrients or cell surface attachment sites. The flushing action of tears and saliva helps prevent infection of the eyes and mouth.
The epithelial barrier hypothesis (also known as the epithelial barrier theory) is a medical concept suggesting that dysfunction of epithelial barriers, induced by environmental toxic substances such as air pollutants, detergents, food additives, microplastics, and nanoparticles, contributes to the development of chronic diseases. Barrier impairment occurs in the skin, respiratory tract, and intestines, and is often accompanied by microbial dysbiosis, bacterial translocation, tissue and systemic inflammation, and immune dysregulation. These processes have been proposed as contributing factors to allergic, autoimmune, metabolic, and neuropsychiatric disorders. The hypothesis was initially framed in the early 2020s by immunologist Cezmi A. Akdis and has since been discussed in independent peer-reviewed reviews in the fields of immunology, allergy, dermatology, and nutrition. Akdis introduced the concept to explain the rising prevalence of chronic inflammatory diseases in industrialized societies. It builds on earlier frameworks such as the hygiene hypothesis and incorporates findings from microbiome research.
Proposed mechanisms include:
Disease contexts include:
Critics of the theory argue that many associations remain correlative and emphasize the need for longitudinal human studies and standardized methods to assess epithelial barrier integrity.
Inflammation is one of the first responses of the immune system to infection or irritation. Inflammation is stimulated by chemical factors released by injured cells. It establishes a physical barrier against the spread of infection and promotes healing of any damaged tissue following pathogen clearance.
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Innate immune system
The innate immune system or nonspecific immune system is one of the two main immunity strategies in vertebrates (the other being the adaptive immune system). The innate immune system is an alternate defense strategy and is the dominant immune system response found in plants, fungi, prokaryotes, and invertebrates (see § Beyond vertebrates).
The major functions of the innate immune system are to :
Anatomical barriers include physical, chemical and biological barriers. The epithelial surfaces form a physical barrier that is impermeable to most infectious agents, acting as the first line of defense against invading organisms. Desquamation (shedding) of skin epithelium also helps remove bacteria and other infectious agents that have adhered to the epithelial surface. Lack of blood vessels, the inability of the epidermis to retain moisture, and the presence of sebaceous glands in the dermis, produces an environment unsuitable for the survival of microbes. In the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract, movement due to peristalsis or cilia, respectively, helps remove infectious agents. Also, mucus traps infectious agents. Gut flora can prevent the colonization of pathogenic bacteria by secreting toxic substances or by competing with pathogenic bacteria for nutrients or cell surface attachment sites. The flushing action of tears and saliva helps prevent infection of the eyes and mouth.
The epithelial barrier hypothesis (also known as the epithelial barrier theory) is a medical concept suggesting that dysfunction of epithelial barriers, induced by environmental toxic substances such as air pollutants, detergents, food additives, microplastics, and nanoparticles, contributes to the development of chronic diseases. Barrier impairment occurs in the skin, respiratory tract, and intestines, and is often accompanied by microbial dysbiosis, bacterial translocation, tissue and systemic inflammation, and immune dysregulation. These processes have been proposed as contributing factors to allergic, autoimmune, metabolic, and neuropsychiatric disorders. The hypothesis was initially framed in the early 2020s by immunologist Cezmi A. Akdis and has since been discussed in independent peer-reviewed reviews in the fields of immunology, allergy, dermatology, and nutrition. Akdis introduced the concept to explain the rising prevalence of chronic inflammatory diseases in industrialized societies. It builds on earlier frameworks such as the hygiene hypothesis and incorporates findings from microbiome research.
Proposed mechanisms include:
Disease contexts include:
Critics of the theory argue that many associations remain correlative and emphasize the need for longitudinal human studies and standardized methods to assess epithelial barrier integrity.
Inflammation is one of the first responses of the immune system to infection or irritation. Inflammation is stimulated by chemical factors released by injured cells. It establishes a physical barrier against the spread of infection and promotes healing of any damaged tissue following pathogen clearance.