Clinical Gastroenterology Vol.26 No.11(1-1)

Theme Liver and Immunity
Title Innate Immunity and Acquired Immunity
Publish Date 2011/10
Author Shuhji Seki Department of Immunology and Microbiology, National Defense Medical College
[ Summary ] Acquired immunity is the element of the immune system which enables hosts to eradicate microbes efficiently which had infected previously. In contrast, innate immunity is the element of the immune system which is naturally existing from birth through adulthood. Acquired immunity consists of helper T cells, killer T cells and B cells. These cells effectively protect hosts from viral infection by their T cell receptors and immunoglobulins (antibodies) in relation to antigen specific diversity. T cells differentiate and mature in the thymus. Innate immunity are liver NK cells and NKT cells, work against cancers after forming acquired immunity in middle aged and elder hosts. Kupffer cells (macrophages) are critical for both innate and acquired immunity. In the liver, Kupffer cells, NKT cells, NK cells, bystander CD122+ CD8+ T cells and CD122- memory CD8+ T cells work cooperatively to complete the antitumor memory immunity system.
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