6 concepts
Skin and Mucosae (Surface Barriers)
In mammals, the skin and mucosae constitute complex protective barriers that guard against infection and injury.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the white blood cells that protect the body by ingesting harmful foreign particles and help initiate an immune response.
Natural Killer Cells
Natural killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes critical for the innate immune system.
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli.
Antimicrobial Proteins
Antimicrobial peptides are an evolutionarily-conserved component of the innate immune response found among all classes of life.
Fever
Fever is an elevation of body temperature above the regulatory set point, mediated through the release of prostaglandin E2.