Host innate immune effector cell

Host innate immune effector cells are the cellular components of the innate immune system, responsible for rapid, non-specific defense against pathogens and tissue injury. They include granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, mast cells), monocytes/macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and innate lymphoid cells. These cells detect, ingest, and destroy pathogens, secrete cytokines for immune signaling, and interact with other immune cells to coordinate inflammation, tissue repair, and the activation of adaptive immunity. Innate immune effector cells perform their functions through a variety of mechanisms including phagocytosis, production of reactive oxygen species, cytotoxicity, and signaling via pattern recognition receptors (e.g., Toll-like receptors). Their dysfunction or dysregulation is implicated in infection, inflammation, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.

Other names

innate immune cellinnate effector cellcellular effectors of innate immunityphagocytic cellinnate lymphoid cellgranulocytemacrophagedendritic cellnatural killer cellILC