Pattern recognition receptors, known as PRRs, are displayed by the cells of the innate immune system, such as macrophages and dendritic cells, and recognise pathogen associated molecular patterns or PAMPs. PAMPs are evolutionary conserved structural similarities found in many pathogens but not in the host’s own cells allowing the innate immune system to distinguish between self and non self and to react to the pathogens immediately (Mogensen, 2009). Antigen recognition receptors are used by the lymphocytes
Plants like many eukaryotic composed organisms have the ability to detect and protect themselves against microorganisms known as pathogens. Plant fossils have recorded that land plant’s existence was established 480 million years ago, but molecularly, plant evolution began 700 million years ago. Molecular interaction with microbes and other organisms gave the shape and structure of plants, giving us an idea that microbes also evolve according to its host. Plants lack mobility depriving themselves
The endothelial cells in direct contact with blood cells are called vascular endothelial cells while those in contact with lymph are called lymphatic endothelial cells. Besides regulating hemostasis, endothelial cells also possess important functions like permeability, regulation of vascular tone, immunity, leukocyte trafficking, inflammation and angiogenesis among others.[1][2][3]. Inflammation is the reaction of the body's tissue to an injury, fundamental in the innate and adaptive response. Signs
Serendipity Essay “LSD” LSD, scientifically known as lysergic acid diethylamide, is a popular hallucinogenic drug first synthesized in the 1930’s. It is known for taking users to a “new” world perhaps heaven, or hell. What many users do not know about LSD is that it was in fact discovered by accident. In other words LSD was a serendipitous discovery. On November 16th, 1938 Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann was investigating possible therapeutic uses of specific ergot compounds. It was that day
wakefulness, dangerous factors accumulate in the body, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), heat shock proteins (HSP), and nucleotides. These molecules are thought to be similar to microbial molecules such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and other toll-like receptor ligands that enhance the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines via antigen presenting cells (APCs). Additionally, immune cells have their own internal clocks that maintain periodic changes in pro-inflammatory cytokines4. In terms of specific
products--including asthma cigarettes made with herbs containing atropine and related compounds--were used to control asthma symptoms. In the 20th century, bronchodilators, including epinephrine, isoproterenol, albuterol, terbutaline and long acting adrenergic receptor agonists became available (38). Asthma inflammation was targedted by corticosteroids, with inhaled steroids coming into use over 40 years ago (39,40). Recently, leukotriene modifiers (41) IgE modifiers (42) and newer biological drugs have been used
asked questions Q: What's the difference between AIDS and HIV? A: AIDS is caused by the virus called the Human Immunodefiency Virus or HIV. HIV is a retrovirus. Initially when your body is infected with the virus, it takes time for it to take its toll on the immune system. At this point its affect may not be apparent for years. HIV becomes AIDS when one has less than 200 CD4+ cells per milliliter in their blood. Q: Can you tell whether a person has AIDS just by there physical appearance? A:
the its more lethal relatives, Rhinovirus is designed to attack a host numerous times during their lifetime. It is the perfect pathogen. It is estimated that adults suffer from 2 to 4 infections with the virus each year. The statistics below show the toll that the virus has on the United States Population: . There are nearly 62 million cases of the common cold annually in the US . 52.2 million of these cases affect Americans under age 17 . There are nearly 22 million school-loss days annually
Tuberculosis (TB) is a transmittable and often severe airborne disease, an infection caused by a bacteria known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). TB usually affects the lungs, but it also can affect any other organ of the body. It is usually treatable with a scheduled routine of medicine taken for 6 months to 2 years, the length of treatment is conditional on the type and severity of the infection ( WHO. October 2015). This usually happens when a person breathes in the contaminated air, in which
3). The major limitation associated with current HPV available vaccines is their useless application for therapeutic approaches indeed so developing a suitable therapeutic vaccine remained a big challenge in this era (4) . In persistent infection like HPV related diseases, therapeutic vaccine open a new horizon for better control of disease by improving the cellular immune arm against virus proteins expressed in host cells (5). Among different therapeutic vaccine strategies including virus based
host cell function. H. pylori establish a chronic infection despite strong induction of host immune responses. Inadequate innate immune recognition, through mechanisms such as the inability of H. pylori lipopolysaccharide to be recognized by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) as well as the inability of FlaA to activate TLR5, might contribute to the failure of the adaptive immune response to clear the infection. In terms of the adaptive immune response, dendritic cells have emerged as an important cell population
The immune system is a fascinating structure it defends the body against foreign invaders like bacteria, viruses and parasites. There are two primary forms that make up the immune system they are, innate and adaptive systems. Both the innate and adaptive system plays a large role in the immune system. The innate is the primary system to defend against foreign materials and the adaptive is the secondary system that responds to specific issues. The difference between the innate and the adaptive
Nearly 10% of all births are classified as preterm (1). Whilst improvements in medical care for preterm newborns have improved survival rates, prematurity still accounts for up to 70% of perinatal death and nearly 50% of poor chronic neurologic outcome and cerebral palsy (CP). CP is therefore the most common cause of chronic disability in children (2). In Australia, a baby is born with a brain injury that underlies CP every 15 hours. This condition is characterised by damage to the developing brain
Sepsis is defined as an exaggerated, overwhelming and uncontrolled systemic inflammatory response to an initially localised infection or tissue injury, which may lead to severe sepsis and septic shock if left untreated (Daniels, 2009; Robson & Daniels, 2013; Dellinger et al, 2013; Perman, Goyal & Gaieski, 2012; Vanzant & Schmelzer, 2011). Septic shock can be classified by acute circulatory failure as a result of massive vasodilation, increased capillary permeability and decreased vascular resistance
Over the years, a high-fat diet has been common among many pregnant individuals. A maternal diet plays a key role into growth and development of the fetus. Dietary fat is an essential nutrient that helps the body function by providing protection, fuel and absorption for cells, tissues and organs. Foods consumed as fat are Triglycerides. The mechanism behind this process is for lipoproteins (LPL) to break the triglycerides into smaller components, as they’ll be absorbed for performing activities,
Regulation of Metabolism The gut microbiota obtains its nutrients from various sources such as consumed dietary ingredients and host-derived requirements like epithelial cells and mucus. Microorganisms utilize these substrates to produce energy to modulate cellular processes, metabolism and growth. The gut encompasses pathways for carbohydrate, lipid and amino acid metabolism (6). Interestingly, the gut flora’s metabolic action is both adaptive and renewable. Through the synthesis of short-chain
the site of infection or injury with the goal of influencing the inflammation process (Yarlagadda et. al. 2009). During both the innate and adaptive immune responses of MS, the effector function of T cells is significantly altered, as both toll-like receptors and antigen presenting cells trigger T cells to differentiate into Th1, Th2, or Th17 phenotypes. When polarized to these phenotypes, the T cells begin to secrete the pleiotropic cytokines, thus making T cells the predominant producer of cytokines
Opioid overdose is currently the most common cause of accidental death in Canada and the U.S. The opioid crisis is having a devastating effect on communities across Canada, taking its toll on opioid users as well as their friends and families. In 2016, 2,816 Canadians died from opioid-related causes, and that number will likely surpass 3,000 in 2017. People across the nation are seeing their loved ones die for reasons that could have been avoided. The opioid crisis is Canada’s worst public health
My name is Eric Kohn, and I am applying to the Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates in Integrative Biology at UC Berkeley. As a child, my grandmother during her battle with lung cancer inspired an interest in medicine, and altruism. I debated between a career in healthcare and a career in science throughout high school, but my experience in organic chemistry solidified my choice to pursue research as a profession. Although I was drawn in by its biological significance, I became fascinated
cause the human brain to shut down. A head injury can be so severe to cause the receptors in the human body to be damaged causing the body to shut down which can leave the body paralyzed. “Sidney Crosby last week cited lingering concussion-like symptoms from at least one blow to the head that left him out of the game for 10 months (Mikaela Conley).” When sports fans are looking for a