Key Takeaways

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The innate immune system is nonspecific. It starts with physical barriers, mechanical defense systems, and chemical defense systems. • There are many different chemical components to the innate immune system, including cytokines, histamine, bradykinin, and complement proteins. • The goal of inflammation is to increase the response to the pathogen through increased redness, increased body temperature, localized heat, edema, and loss of function of the affected area. • There are multiple cells that participate in the innate immune response, including granulocytes and agranulocytes. • Macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells are involved in phagocytosis. • Phagocytosis can happen after opsonization or the recognition of PAMPs, which activates the phagocyte to increase the immune response and engulf the pathogen. • Phagocytosis involves digesting the pathogen and getting rid of the leftover waste products afterward.