Mammalian defense strategy

Nature has created a diverse array of plant and animal toxins that act at mammalian muscle and ganglionic nAChRs or invertebrate nAChRs because the critical physiological functions of these receptors make them prime targets for defensive or predatory strategies. More recently, the perceived validity of neuronal nAChR as therapeutic targets has prompted the generation of new synthetic ligands. Examples are listed in Table 1. 

The mammalian immune system protects the body from infection by many complex strategies. The most vigorous defense is performed by white blood cells known as granulocytes. These cells consume oxygen in response to microbial infections. This oxidative process, called the respiratory burst, has recently been proven to produce stabilized hvDOchlorite antimicrobials (bredominantlv bv neutroDhils) and stabilized... 

McArthur C, Elagerman A, Robbins CT. 1991. Physiological strategies of mammalian herbivores against plant defenses. In Palo RT, Robbins CT, Eds. Plant Defences against Mammalian Herbivory. Boca, Raton FL CRC Press, pp. 103-114. 

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