Fibrosis is a deregulated and uncontrolled repair process that recapitulates features of embryonic development and normal wound healing. The inappropriate repair by connective tissue, characterized by an excessive deposition of collagen and other extracellular matrix components, is now known as an important feature of many chronic diseases, including myocardial infarction, glomerulosclerosis, i...

A misguided inflammatory response is frequently implicated in myelin damage. Particularly prominent among myelin diseases, multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition, with immune-mediated damage central to its etiology. Nevertheless, a robust inflammatory response is also essential for the efficient regeneration of myelin sheaths after such injury. Here, we discuss the functions of infl...

The vertebrate innate immune system consists of inflammatory cells and soluble mediators that comprise the first line of defense against microbial infection and, importantly, trigger antigen-specific T and B cell responses that lead to lasting immunity. The molecular mechanisms responsible for microbial non-self recognition by the innate immune system have been elucidated for a large number of ...

Immune memory has traditionally been the domain of the adaptive immune system, present only in antigen-specific T and B cells. The purpose of this review is to summarize the evidence for immunological memory in lower organisms (which are not thought to possess adaptive immunity) and within specific cell subsets of the innate immune system. A special focus will be given to recent findings in bot...

The newborn and infant periods of early life are associated with heightened vulnerability to infection. Limited antigen exposure and distinct adaptive immune function compared to the adult places a greater burden on innate immunity for host defense to microbial challenge during this time. Trained immunity describes the phenomenon of augmented innate immune function following a stimulus that is ...

The role of the innate immune system in asthma initiation is being increasingly recognised, and several innate epithelial cytokines, such as interleukin 33 (IL-33), IL-25 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin, have been described as important in asthma pathogenesis. However, until now, the mechanism by which these cytokines initiate Th2 responses and form a link with the adaptive immune system was u...

The innate immune system is the first line of defense against microbial pathogens. The activated innate immune system plays important roles in eliciting antimicrobial defenses. Despite the benefits of innate immune responses, excessive inflammation will cause host damage. Thus, tight regulation of these processes is required for the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Recently, a new class of lo...

Recent studies suggest that the heart possesses an innate immune system that is intended to delimit tissue injury, as well as orchestrate homoeostatic responses, within the heart. The extant literature suggests that this intrinsic stress response system is mediated, at least in part, by a family of pattern recognition receptors, most notably the Toll-like receptors. Although the innate immune s...

Ruminant livestock are continuously exposed to dangerous pathogens in their environment and, like other animals, rely upon a well-developed immune system to minimize likelihood of an infection. The immune system can be divided into two distinct (yet interacting) systems: 1) the innate immune system and 2) the adaptive or antibodymediated immune system. Generally, we may view the innate system a...

Recent studies suggest that the heart possesses an innate immune system that is intended to delimit tissue injury, as well as orchestrate homoeostatic responses, within the heart. The extant literature suggests that this intrinsic stress response system is mediated, at least in part, by a family of pattern recognition receptors, most notably the Toll-like receptors. Although the innate immune s...