Natural defense response

Arsenicum album 199c and Kali iodide 200c reduced fruit rot of guava and mango. Cina 1000c, applied by foliar spray, reduced root-knot disease, caused by nematode parasites, of cowpea plants. The drugs augmented the natural defense response in plants and thus reduced the parasite infection. 

Interferon (IFN) differs from bona fide antiviral diugs since it is a natural defense protein of the host organism and does not directly interfere with the viral replication steps. Interferons are small glycoproteins inducing immune modulatory and antiviral activities. They are secreted by lymphocytes, leukocytes and fibroblasts in response to foreign nucleic acids (dsRNA). 

The first aspect of biocompatibility is a natural immune response. When a foreign object enters the blood stream, it can be attacked by the body s defense system. The first step is protein adsorption on an object surface. It is believed that the amount and type of protein adsorption is one of the most important steps determining whether the object is tolerated or rejected by the body. The next step is cell adhesion, which may cause aggregation and activation of platelets and triggering of the blood coagulation system with resulting thrombus formation. It may not only lead to sensor failure via surface blocking but directly threatens the patient s health. 

From the previously discussed studies, the oxidative burst response appears to integrate and/or orchestrate several defense responses. These provide an adaptive mechanism to counteract attacks on or injury to algal cells and thalli. As shown in Fig. 12.2, the occurrence of an oxidative burst associated with the perception of cell-free extracts of A. operculata was shown to play a crucial role in the natural resistance of C. crispus gametophytes (Bouarab et al. 1999). 

Hydrophilic surfactant proteins A (SP-A) and D (SP-D), secreted by type II pneumocytes, interact specifically with a wide range of microorganisms and play important roles in the innate, natural defense system of the lung [16]. Both mRNA and protein levels of SP-A and SP-D increase dramatically in response to lung infection, injury and endotoxin challenge [17]. Type II pneumocytes also express class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens and intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), which may facilitate pulmonary immune responses [15]. 

Attracting carnivorous natural enemies by using herbivore-induced plant volatiles Mechanisms involved in the production of herbivore-induced plant volatiles Coordination of Direct and Indirect Defense Responses Antimicrobial Chemical Defense Introduction... 

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