Today’s topic is related to the question in the last post. Even before the innate immune system kicks in, your body is protected from marauding bugs by your epithelial surfaces. Those include your skin and the linings of your respiratory, digestive, and urinogenital tracts. Epithelial cells are big, immobile cells that are tightly connected to their neighbors, making them excellent barriers. We also refer to some of our epithelial surfaces as mucosal surfaces. Mucus is also key to today’s post.
Thus, I present to you: snot.
We typically refer to nasal mucus as snot. It’s produced by epithelial cells in the nose, and acts as a kind of fly paper to catch pathogens, allergens, and air impurities that you breathe in. When a danger signal is detected, neutrophils (a type of innate immune cell) are called to fight your infection. The neutrophils are also killed in this process, releasing iron into your mucus and turning it green.
I won’t go into anymore detail here. This information comes from the British Society for Immunology’s Secret Life of Snot, and you should check out their page for more snot facts. They’ve also got a recipe for making your own snot that doesn’t involve introducing any pathogens into your airways, and lots more information about a range of immunology topics.
The major goal of this blog is to reach out to the public to answer questions about immunology and build interest in science. In March 2014, I pursued that same goal by volunteering with the British Society for Immunology (BSI) at the Big Bang Fair. The Big Bang Fair was an outstanding opportunity to talk to school kids, teachers, and parents about science that is relevant to our everyday lives. Absolutely check out a Big Bang Fair event if it’s in your neighborhood.
Feel free to share information about any science events you’ve attended, or that may be coming up, in the comments!
Your Immunology 