In: Biology
How do the innate and adaptive immune systems communicate?
Innate immunity and adaptive immunity are the two mechanisms of the immune system. The innate immune system is non- specific which include physical barriers like skin, mucous etc. The adaptive immune system is the system that activates after the entry of pathogen or antigen which include the production of antibodies specific to that antigen.
In the innate immune system, there are various cells like dendritic cells, macrophages, mast cells, neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils that produce cytokines which activates the adaptive immune system. Hence it communicates by the release of cytokines or another chemical messenger.
Process of communication between innate and adaptive immune systems
1. Cell-cell interactions
Cytokines or chemokines play a major role in cell-cell interactions. The antigen is the substance that stimulates the adaptive immune cells for the production of cytokines. This networks of communication are essential in innate and adaptive immune systems.
2. Presentation of an antigen
Presentation of antigen by immune cell releases the cytokines that can form a communication bridge between innate and adaptive immune systems