Postnatal programming of the innate immune response

Postnatal programming of the innate immune response.

A host's defensive response to a pathogen is a phylogenetically ancient reaction that consists of a CNS-mediated series of autonomic, hormonal and behavioral responses that combine to combat infection. The absence of such defense results in greater morbidity and mortality and thus, these responses are essential for survival. The postnatal period represents a malleable phase in which the long-te...

Induction of Innate Immune Response

Neonatal programming of innate immune function.

The early life environment can be crucial in influencing the development of an animal's long-term physiology. There is now much evidence to suggest that perinatal challenges to an animal's immune system will result in changes in adult rat behavior, physiology, and molecular pathways following a single inflammatory event during development caused by the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LP...

Rotavirus Antagonism of the Innate Immune Response

Rotavirus is a primary cause of severe dehydrating gastroenteritis in infants and young children. The virus is sensitive to the antiviral effects triggered by the interferon (IFN)-signaling pathway, an important component of the host cell innate immune response. To counteract these effects, rotavirus encodes a nonstructural protein (NSP1) that induces the degradation of proteins involved in reg...

Neutrophils in the innate immune response.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs or neutrophils) are an essential component of the human innate immune system. Circulating neutrophils are rapidly recruited to sites of infection by host- and/or pathogen-derived components, which also prime these host cells for enhanced microbicidal activity. PMNs bind and ingest microorganisms by a process known as phagocytosis, which typically triggers prod...