In: Biology
4. One of the many immune system functions is to protect individuals from pathogens such as the influenza virus. Explain how innate immunity (non-specific defense) and adaptive immunity each respond differently to exposure to influenza virus?
Innate immunity make use pattern recognition receptors for recognising and responding to the influenza virus.The viral RNA present in the infected cells are recognised pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), which leads to the secretion of type I interferons (IFNs), pro-inflammatory cytokines, eicosanoids and chemokines. IFN stimulate the expression of IFN stimulated genes in neighboring cells and induce an antiviral state in those state.Pro-inflammatory cytokines, eicosanoids signals the adaptive immune system by inducing fever and anorexia to response to the virus. chemokines produced at the site infection recruits, NK cells,neutrophils and monocytes .
Adaptive immunity involves T cell mediated response in which,upon infection T cell responses are induced including T helper cells (CD4+)and T cytotoxic(CD8+) .They have differnent cross reactivity to variety of Influenza A viruses subtypes. tcell mediated immunity provide,heterosubtypic immunity and protection against antigenically distinct, potential influenza viruses.