Innate Response to Infection

Abstract

In response to an infection, the innate part of the immune system is the first line of host defense. This response is non-specific but rapid, and a source of information for next step acquired immune response. Findings that some cellular elements of the innate immune system reveal properties placing them as an interface between "innate" and "adaptive" systems, and others use newly discovered killing strategies, might change the understanding of how the innate immune system functions.