Mucosal immunological protection mechanisms in the airways.

The respiratory tract is protected by immune mechanisms. These comprise a combination of local mucosal immunity, especially characteristic of the upper respiratory tract, and peripheral-type immune reactions which characterize the lower portion. The initiation of inflammatory events may occur in the lumen or in the tissues and to some extent the response seen is greatly modulated by the types of cells involved and their secreted products. The presentation will deal with the way in which various immune reactions are initiated and regulated in the respiratory tract and how these may differ from other tissues.