Innate immunity

E Ooi
A Psaltis
I Witterick
Peter-John Wormald, Government of South Australia, SA Health

Abstract

The sinonasal tract is continuously exposed to environmental particulates and pathogens which are normally cleared by efficient host defenses. The innate immune system forms the first line of defense against these aerosolized pathogens and, although typically constitutive, has also been found to be inducible. One sigificant component of the innate immune system is the cellular structure of the sinonasal mucosal lining itself. This lining consists of the ciliated respiratory epithelium, goblet cells, subepithelial cells (dendritic cells, macrophages, leucocytes, plasma cells) and glands, which all contribute to pathogen clearance in several ways.