Arising in the mucous membranes, these white patches on the tongue, gums, cheeks, or elsewhere inside the mouth have the potential to develop into squamous cell carcinoma. They may be caused by sources of chronic irritation, such as habitual alcohol consumption or tobacco use, or rough edges on teeth or dentures.
Virus infection in vertebrates results in two general types of immune response. The first is a rapid-onset innate response against the virus, which involves the synthesis of proteins called interferons and the stimulation of natural killer lymphocytes.
The immune system has several ways of protecting your body against invasion by viruses, bacteria, parasites and any other foreign intruder or cancerous cell. The first line of defence is mounted by an innate immune response consisting of barriers such as skin, tears, saliva and mucus, as well as an inflammatory response. This is followed closely ...