title: [Defense mechanism against respiratory infection].
abstract: Most of acute respiratory diseases are caused by infection with various viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms; a mixed infection with these pathogens often results in exacerbation of the disease. In addition to nonspecific protective mechanisms that constantly function in the respiratory tracts, innate and adaptive immunities play important roles in the protection of these pathogens. Secretory IgA and/or cytotoxic T cells in the mucus may be the most effective protection machineries of the adaptive immune systems. Recently, it has been proven that Toll-like receptors, each of which recognizes a conserved structure of pathogens, are the key molecules of the innate immune systems; this recognition step is considered a prerequisite for the adaptive immunity to function in the respiratory tracts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Masao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsurudome
authors.forename: Yasuhiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ito
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000276:immunology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D051193:Toll-Like Receptors