basic immunology Flashcards
immunology
the study of how the body defends itself against infection by micro-organisms (including bacteria/viruses/fungi/parasites)
What are the 2 branches of the immune system?
1) innate immunity
2) adaptive immunity
innate immunity
1) natural immune response
2) prevents/limits infection
adaptive immunity
1) acquired responsive
2) eradicates infection
Resistance in innate immunity
unaltered on repeated infection
Resistance in adaptive immunity
improved by repeated infection (memory)
Specificity in innate immunity
generally effective against all organisms
Specificity in adaptive immunity
specific for stimulating organism
Effector cells in innate immunity
1) phagocytes - macrophages + neutrophils
2) NK (natural killer) cells
3) mast cells
4) eosinophils
Effector cells in adaptive immunity
lymphocytes - T-cells + B-cells
Effector molecules in innate immunity
1) lysozyme
2) complement
3) interferons α/β/γ
4) defensins
5) lactoferrin
Effector molecules in adaptive immunity
1) antibodies
2) cytokines
What do surface epithelia do?
line + protect surfaces of the body in contact with the environment + provide a barrier to infection
How do epithelial cells work mechanically?
1) joined by tight junctions
2) flow of air/fluid across the epithelium
3) mucus production + movement by cilia
How do epithelial cells work chemically?
1) fatty acids + salty sweat in the skin
2) lysozyme in saliva/sweat/tears
3) low pH + pepsin in stomach
4) defensins in airway + GIT
4) acidity of urine/vaginal lactic acid
How do epithelial cells work microbiologically?
symbiotic bacteria compete for nutrients
What do phagocytes do?
engulf, digest, + destroy bacteria
macrophages
1) large mononuclear found in tissues
2) circulate in the blood as monocytes
neutrophils
1) multi-lobed nucleus
2) PMN (polymorphonuclear) cells
3) multiple granules in the cytoplasm
4) circulates in the blood
4) most abundant white blood cell
eosinophil
1) bi-lobed nucleus
2) prominent granules released on contact with parasites + ticks
3) mainly found in tissue
4) low level in circulation
5) toxic MBP (major basic protein)
6) ECP (eosinophil cationic protein)
7) EDN (eosinophil-derived protein)
What are the types of granulocytes?
1) neutrophils
2) eosinophils
3) basophils
mast cells
1) found in tissue alongside blood vessels + under epithelial layers
2) protect mucosal surfaces
3) activated mast cells release histamine in allergic reactions
NK (natural killer) cells
1) large granular cytotoxic lymphocyte
2) releases lytic granules to kill virus-infected cells + some tumour cells
3) found in blood
4) activated by IFN (interferons) α, β
What are the cells of the adaptive immune system?
lymphocytes
What are the 2 main types of lymphocytes?
1) B-cells
2) T-cells
What are the stages of immunity in the innate response?
1) adherence of bacteria to epithelium
2) penetration of epithelium (0-4h)
3) local infection of tissues - activation of macrophages
4) macrophages overwhelmed - recruitment of neutrophils (4-96h)
What are the stages of immunity in the adaptive response?
1) bacterial peptides (antigens) spread to lymph nodes (>96)
2) antigens trapped in lymph nodes activate T-cells + B-cells
3) specific antibodies + active T-cells mediate adaptive immunity
PAMPs
1) pathogen associated molecular patterns
2) sequences which are found on pathogens but not on human cells
3) tell the phagocyte that “non-self” is present + provide information on the type of pathogen present
Toll-like receptors
recognise PAMPs
How many Toll-Like receptors are found on human cells?
10
TLR-1
lipopeptide
TLR-2
1) lipopeptide
2) peptidoglycan
TLR-3
dsRNA
TLR-4
LPS
TLR-5
flagellin
TLR-6
1) lipopeptide
2) zymosan
TLR-7
single stranded RNA
TLR-8
single stranded RNA