Immunity against extracellular pathogens |
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Authors: | John Gatfield Giorgio Ferrari Jean Pieters |
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Institution: | (1) Basel Institute for Immunology, Grenzacherstrasse 487, CH-4005 Basel, Switzerland |
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Abstract: | Summary Eukaryotic cells live in a relatively comfortable equilibrium with a wide variety of microbes. However, while many of the cohabiting microorganisms are harmless or even beneficial to the eukaryotic host, a number of prokaryotes have evolved the capacity to invade and replicate within host cells, thereby becoming potentially pathogenic. To be able to cope with potential pathogens, most organisms have developed several host defense mechanisms. First, microbes can be internalized and destroyed by a number of cell types of an innate immune system in a rather aspecific manner. Second, more complex organisms possess additionally an adaptive immune system that is capable of eliminating hazardous microbes in a highly specific manner. This review describes recent progress in our understanding of how pathogens interact with cells of the immune system, resulting in activation of the immune system or, for certain microorganisms, in the evasion of host defense reactions. |
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Keywords: | Antigen processing Antigen presentation Phagocytosis Host defense subversion |
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