Innate immune responses are not specific to a particular pathogen in the way that the

adaptive immune responses are. They depend on a group of proteins and phagocytic
cells that recognize conserved features of pathogens and become quickly activated to
help destroy invaders.
First Line of Nonspecific Defenses
The skin and mucous membranes provide a nonspecific first line of defense against
invaders entering through the skin or through openings into the body.

Skin and mucous membranes are physical barriers

Physical Defenses of Nonspecific Innate Immunity

Defenses Examples Functions
Cellular Barriers Skin, mucous membranes, Deny entry to pathogens
endothelial cells
Mechanical Defenses Shedding of skin cells, mucociliary Remove pathogens from potential
sweeping, peristalsis, flushing action sites of infection
of urine and tears
Microbiome Resident bacteria of the skin, upper Compete with pathogens for cellular
respiratory tract, gastrointestinal binding sites and nutrients
tract, and genitourinary tract
MECHANICAL DEFENSES
1. SKIN
-
- Skin acts as a nearly impenetrable barrier to invading pathogens, keeping them
outside of the body. Infections are rare in intact skin except Hookworms and
Dermatophytes (a skin loving fungi).
- Reinforced with chemical weapons/substances which is oil and sweat
- Skin is a physical and hostile barrier covered with oily and acidic (pH from 3 to 5)
secretions from sebaceous and sweat glands respectively, inhibiting the growth of
pathogens and sweat contains the enzyme lysozyme (an Antimicrobial protein) which
digests cell walls.
- Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are multi-functional peptides whose fundamental
biological role in vivo has been proposed to be the elimination of pathogenic
microorganisms, including Gram-positive and -negative bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
Intact skin is an effective barrier against most pathogens

The thin upper layer is called the epidermis. A second, thicker

layer, called the dermis, contains hair follicles, sweat glands,
nerves, and blood vessels. A layer of fatty tissue called the
hypodermis lies beneath the dermis and contains blood and
lymph vessels

If the skin is damaged, leading an open wound, this serves as a

portal of entry for viruses and infections even it is a scratch.
 2. MUCOUS MEMBRANE
The mucous membranes lining the nose, mouth, lungs, and urinary and digestive tracts provide another
nonspecific barrier against potential pathogens.
Mucous membrane has two layers, Outer Epithelial and inner connective tissue

Mucous membranes consist of a layer of epithelial cells bound by tight junctions.

The epithelial cells secrete a moist, sticky substance called mucus, which covers and protects the more
fragile cell layers beneath it and traps debris and particulate matter, including microbes. Mucus secretions
also contain antimicrobial peptides.
Several Microorganisms are capable of penetrating mucous membrane: Papillomavirus, Treponema
pallidum, Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli, Entamoeba histolytica
MUCOUS MEMBRANE DEFENSES

- Lacrimal Apparatus – continual washing and blinking prevents microbes

from setting on the eye surface
- Saliva – washes microbes from teeth and mouth mucous membranes
- Mucus – thick secretion that traps many microbes
- Nose Hair – Coated with mucus filter dust, pollen and microbes
- Ciliary Escalator – cilia in mucous membrane of lower respiratory tract
move upwards towards throat
- Coughing and Sneezing – expel foreign objects
- Epiglottis – covers larynx during swallowing
- Urination – cleans urethra and urethral leukocytes
- Vaginal Secretions – removes microbes from genital tract

- Reinforced with chemical weapons/substances which are Lysozyme, Transferin and

Gastric Juice
- Lysozyme which is an enzyme that breaks down gram-positive cell walls. Found in
nasal secretions, saliva, and tears
- Gastric Juice which is a mixture of hydrochloric acid, enzymes and mucus. pH
between 1.2 to 3 many microbes and destroys most toxins. Except Helicobacter pylori
which can neutralize stomach acid and can grow in the stomach, causing ulcers and
other infection.
- Transferrins: Iron-binding proteins in blood which inhibit bacterial growth by reducing
available iron.
MICROBIOME
Localized microbiota act as an essential initial line of defense against invasive
infections in diverse parts of the body. The local microbiota prevents the crucial initial
steps of pathogen attachment and proliferation necessary for the formation of an
infection by occupying cellular binding sites and competing for resources.

Similar competitions exist between the microbiota and possible pathogens in the
gastrointestinal system, upper respiratory tract, and skin. The local microbiota also
aids in the innate non-specific host defenses' chemical defenses.

The greater vulnerability to infectious diseases when the microbiota is disrupted or

removed serves as evidence of the significance of the normal microbiome in host
defenses.

Treatment with antibiotics can dramatically reduce the gastrointestinal tract's normal
microbiota, giving pathogenic bacteria a better chance to colonize and induce diarrheal
illness.

Example: Vagina, members of the resident microbiota compete with opportunistic pathogens
like the yeast Candida. This competition prevents infections by limiting the availability of
nutrients, thus inhibiting the growth of Candida, keeping its population in check.

Sources:
https://bio.libretexts.org/Courses/Manchester_Community_College_(MCC)/
Remix_of_Openstax%3AMicrobiology_by_Parker_Schneegurt_et_al/
13%3A_Innate_Nonspecific_Host_Defenses/13.01%3A_1st_Line_defense-
_Physical_and_Chemical_Defenses

https://www.slideshare.net/DrAlokTripathi/nonspecific-immune-response