What cells are involved in innate immunity?

Innate immunity involves various types of cells that play a crucial role in the body's immediate defense against pathogens. 

Some of the key cells involved in innate immunity include:

• Macrophages - Macrophages are large specialized phagocytic leukocytes that are capable of moving across the walls of capillary vessels. This ability is vital as it allows macrophages to detect the presence of pathogens across a larger area. Macrophages also have the ability to release cytokines in order to signal other cells and recruit them to an area to fight pathogens. 
• Dendritic cells - Dendritic cells are antigen-presenting cells present in tissues that are common points for initial infection such as the skin, inner mucosal lining of the nose, lungs, stomach and intestines. This allows them to identify and capture threats first and act as messengers for the rest of the immune system by presenting antigens to T cells, thus linking the innate and adaptive immune responses.
• Mast cells - Located in connective tissues and mucous membranes, mast cells play a key role in defense against pathogens and in wound healing through the inflammatory response. Mast cells release histamine, cytokines, and other inflammatory mediators in response to infection or tissue injury contributing to inflammation and the recruitment of other immune cells. 
• Neutrophils - The most abundant type of white blood cells, neutrophils circulate throughout the body in the blood, and are the first immune cells to arrive at an infection site. Neutrophils are phagocytic cells that engulf and destroy bacteria. They are also categorized as granulocytes because of the presence of granules in the cytoplasm. These granules are highly toxic to bacteria and fungi, causing them to cease proliferating or die on contact.
• Eosinophils - Eosinophils are granulocytes that target multicellular parasites by secreting a range of highly toxic proteins and free radicals that kill bacteria and parasites. Eosinophils are also associated with allergic responses. Although found in several locations including the lymph nodes, thymus, uterus, ovaries, spleen, and lower gastrointestinal tract, they make up only 1% to 6% of the white blood cells in the body. 
• Basophils - Basophils are granulocytes that release histamine and other mediators during allergic reactions and inflammation. They play key roles in mounting an appropriate allergic response. 
• Natural Killer cells - A key player in immune surveillance, Natural Killer (NK) cells do not attack pathogens directly. Instead, they stop the spread of an infection by destroying infected host cells. NK cells are responsible for identifying and destroying infected or cancerous cells.