Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Advanced Imaging of Lung Homing Human Lymphocytes in an Experimental In Vivo Model of Allergic Inflammation Based on Light-sheet Microscopy
Published on: April 16, 2019
Learning from leprosy: insight into the human innate immune response
Dennis Montoya1, Robert L Modlin
1Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Abstract:
Investigation into the innate immune response in leprosy has provided insight into host defense and immunopathology in human infectious disease. A key advance has been the delineation of pattern recognition receptors that detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns of the bacterium that causes leprosy, Mycobacterium leprae. From this knowledge, it has been possible to determine the cytokine responses as well as macrophage and dendritic cell differentiation programs that contribute to host defense and tissue injury in leprosy. These insights provide targets for therapeutic intervention to modulate innate immune responses against microbial infection in humans.
Related Concept Videos
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Introduction to Innate and Adaptive Immunity
Innate immunity is the body's natural, nonspecific defense system that acts quickly to protect against pathogens. It incorporates physical barriers like skin and mucous membranes and cellular elements such as phagocytes and natural killer cells. This part of our immune system provides an immediate,...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Special Features of Adaptive Immunity
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
Cells of the Innate Immune Response
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
