Innate vs acquired immunity – what’s the difference?

General Healthcare

  7 Minutes

The human immune system has two main branches: innate immunity and acquired (or adaptive) immunity. They work together to protect the body from infections and diseases but differ in several ways.  In this article, we will explore the differences between these two types of immunity and the important role they play in safeguarding our health.

Understanding the immune system:

The immune system is the body’s defence mechanism against infections and diseases. It is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that identify and eliminate threats. These threats (also called pathogens) could be bacteria, viruses, parasites, or toxins. Understanding how your immune system works is important for staying healthy.

The immune system can be broadly divided into two parts: innate immunity, which is present at birth and provides immediate but non-specific protection; and acquired immunity, which develops in response to exposure to specific pathogens.

How the immune system works:

The immune system is a sophisticated network that defends the body against harmful invaders. It is categorized into two main branches: innate and acquired immunity.

Innate Immunity: This acts as the first line of defence, responding quickly to various pathogens through physical barriers such as skin and mucous membranes, as well as through immune cells like phagocytes and natural killer cells that can engulf or destroy invaders. Innate immunity does not recognize specific pathogens; instead, it targets general features common to many invaders.

Some key features of innate immunity:

  • It is present from birth and does not require prior exposure to pathogens
  • It responds rapidly to infections, within minutes or hours
  • It uses generic recognition of pathogens, not specific antigens
  • It does not create long-lasting memory or immunity to future infections

Innate immunity is crucial for preventing infections and buying time for the adaptive immune system to respond. Deficiencies in innate immunity can lead to recurrent infections.

Acquired Immunity: This type of immunity is activated after exposure to specific pathogens and involves the activation of certain white blood cells (B cells and T cells). B cells produce antibodies that target specific antigens, while T cells can destroy infected cells or help regulate the immune response. Acquired immunity provides long-lasting protection through memory cells that quickly respond if the same pathogen tries to invade again.

Some key features of acquired immunity:

  • It develops over time and requires exposure to pathogens or vaccines
  • It responds slower to infections, taking days or weeks to fully activate
  • It uses highly specific recognition of pathogens based on antigens
  • It creates long-lasting memory that protects against future infections

Acquired immunity is essential for clearing infections and preventing reinfection. Deficiencies in acquired immunity can lead to chronic or recurrent infections.

The role of interferons:

Cytokines are small proteins that act as signalling molecules in the immune system. They play an important role in regulating immune responses, inflammation, and cell communication. Interferons are cytokines produced by the immune system that play a key role in both innate and acquired immunity. They are named for their ability to interfere with viral replication.

Type I interferons like IFN-α and IFN-β are produced by many cell types in response to viruses. They activate immune cells, improve how immune cells display antigens to other cells of the immune system and inhibit viral replication by blocking protein synthesis and inducing antiviral genes.

Type II interferon, IFN-γ, is produced by T cells and NK cells. It activates macrophages, enhances antigen presentation, and promotes the development of Th1 immune responses against intracellular pathogens.

Interferons are a critical component of the innate immune response to viral infections. They provide an immediate defence while the adaptive immune system mounts a more specific response. Boosting interferon production may help strengthen innate immunity.

How A.Vogel Echinaforce supports the innate immune system:[1]

Echinacea is a natural herbal remedy that has been used for centuries to support immune health. A.Vogel Echinaforce is the most extensively researched, and scientifically proven Echinacea product on the market. Made exclusively from freshly harvested Echinacea purpurea, and prepared in a unique ratio of 95% aerial parts and 5% roots, it has a stronger antibacterial and antiviral effect than those made from dry plant extracts. The mode of action of Echinaforce has been extensively investigated, one of the key actions it has is priming and training the innate immune system, helping to prepare the body for potential viral infections. Here’s how Echinaforce influences the innate immune response:

Priming interferon production and signalling

Interferons are key proteins that play a crucial role in the body’s antiviral defences. Echinaforce has been shown to prime the production of interferons, particularly IFN-γ, by modulating immune cells. This priming effect ensures that the body is ready to produce sufficient amounts of interferons when needed.

Echinaforce also enhances interferon signalling, which is how interferons communicate with other cells to coordinate the immune response. By optimizing interferon signalling, it helps ensure that the antiviral message is effectively transmitted throughout the body.

Training the innate immune defence

The innate immune system is the body’s first line of defence against pathogens. Echinaforce helps train this system to respond more effectively to potential threats. By modulating immune cells and cytokine production, it thus prepares the innate immune system to recognize and eliminate viruses more efficiently.

This training effect is particularly important for the innate immune system, as it lacks the memory and specificity of the adaptive immune system. By enhancing the innate immune response, Echinaforce helps compensate for this limitation, ensuring that the body is ready to mount a robust defence against infections.

Promoting robust and early antiviral defence

Echinaforce helps promote a strong and early antiviral defence by supporting the production of interferons and other immune-modulating compounds. When the body is exposed to a virus, it ensures that the innate immune system is primed and ready to respond quickly, limiting the virus’s ability to replicate and spread.

This early defence is crucial for preventing viral infections from taking hold and potentially leading to more severe symptoms or complications. By supporting the innate immune system, Echinaforce helps the body mount a rapid and effective response to viral threats.

Enhancing immune system readiness

Echinaforce helps the overall readiness of the immune system by supporting both the innate and adaptive branches. By priming the innate immune system and training it to respond more effectively, it ensures that the body is prepared to fight off infections.

Echinaforce also supports the adaptive immune system by promoting the production of antibodies and supporting the activity of T cells. This dual support helps ensure that the immune system is functioning optimally, ready to respond to a wide range of potential threats.

If you are looking for signs that your immune system is weak, we recommend reading this article: 6 signs your immune system is weak. In this article, we explore six signs that your immune system needs support and give six ways to strengthen your immune function.

A.Vogel Echinaforce is available as drops, tablets, as a throat spray, and as chewable tablets for children.

   
A.Vogel Echinaforce Drops A.Vogel Echinaforce Drops
Adults and children over 12 years:
Acute dose: 20 drops 5 times daily.
Prevention dose: 20 drops up to 3 times daily.
Children 4-12 years:
Acute dose: 10 drops 5 times daily.
Prevention dose: 10 drops up to 3 times daily.
Children 1-4 years:
Acute dose: 1 drop per age five times daily.
Prevention dose: 1 drop per age up to three times daily.
   
A.Vogel Echinaforce 120tabs A.Vogel Echinaforce Tablets
Adults and children over 12 years:
Acute dose: 3 tablets three times daily.
Prevention dose: 3 tablets up to twice daily.
Children 6-12 years:
Acute dose: 1 tablet 5 times daily (as split doses).
Prevention dose: 1 tablet up to three times daily (as split doses).
   
A.Vogel Echinaforce Junior Tablets
Children 2-4 years:
Treatment dose: Chew 1 tablet 3-5 times daily (as split doses).
Prevention dose: Chew 1 tablet up to two times daily (as split doses).
Children 4-12 years:
Treatment dose: Chew 1 tablet five times daily (as split doses).
Prevention dose: Chew 1 tablet up to three times daily (as split doses).
Adults and children over 12:
Treatment dose: Chew 2 tablets five times daily (as split doses).
Prevention dose: Chew 2 tablets up to three times daily (as split doses).
   
A.Vogel Echinaforce Sore Throat Spray
Dosage: [1 spray = 0.22ml]
Adults and children over 12 years:
2 sprays 6-10 times daily.
Children 4-12:
1 spray 6-10 times daily.
   
A.Vogel Echinaforce Forte Tabs 30tabs A.Vogel Echinaforce Forte
Adults and children over 12 years:
Acute dose: 1 tablet three times daily.
Prevention dose: 1 tablet up to twice daily.
Children 6-12 years:
Acute dose: 1 tablet twice daily.
Prevention dose: 1 tablet daily.

References and additional reading:

  1. Hersh, E. (2019) Acquired immunity: What is it, and how do you get it?, Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/acquired-immunity (Accessed: 29 July 2024).
  2. How the immune system protects you from infection (no date) Pfizer. Available at: https://www.pfizer.com/news/articles/how_the_immune_system_protects_you_from_infection (Accessed: 29 July 2024).
  3. Cleveland Clinic (no date) Lymphocytes: Function, definition, Levels & Ranges, Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23342-lymphocytes (Accessed: 29 July 2024).
  4. Pudasaini, D. (2023) Innate vs. acquired immunity (definition, types, examples), Microbe Notes. Available at: https://microbenotes.com/innate-immunity-vs-acquired-immunity-definition-types-examples/ (Accessed: 29 July 2024).
  5. What are innate and adaptive immunity? how are their differences? (no date) CUSABIO. Available at: https://www.cusabio.com/Immunology/Innate-and-Adaptive-Immunity.html (Accessed: 29 July 2024).