Book Flashcards
Define the difference between class I and class II MHC molecules
Class I presents protein fragments to killer T cells whereas class II presents peptides to helper T cells Class I are expressed on almost every kind of cell whereas class II are expressed exclusively on cells of the immune system
What can trigger a dendritic cell to activate?
When neutrophils and macrophages release tumour necrosis factor (TNF) when destroying an attacker
Interferon alpha and beta released by virus-infected cells
Pattern-recognition receptors on dendritic cells (e.g. TLR)
Why is a short lifetime of a dendritic cell a good thing?
The shorter the lifespan encourages a proportionate response to the severity of the attack
What do mature dendritic cells activate?
- Naïve T cells
* Activated tissue macrophages
Why do activated tissue macrophages need activating?
- To re-stimulate experienced T cells
* If they are not re-stimulated, they will “rest” thinking the battle is over
What molecules are involved in antigen recognition on T cells?
- T cell receptor (TCR)
* CD4 and CD8 co-receptors
What class of MHC molecule does CD4 “clip onto”?
Class II MHC molecule
What class of MHC molecule does CD8 “clip onto”?
Class I MHC molecule
For a T cell to be activated what must occur?
- T cell receptors ligated by MHC-peptide
* Co-stimulation signals
What does Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) recognise?
- LPS (component of Gram-negative bacteria)
* Proteins from specific viruses
What does Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR”) recognise?
- Molecules that are “signatures” of Gram-positive bacteria
- Lipopeptides
- Lipoproteins
What does toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) recognise?
Double-stranded RNA produced during many viral infections
What does Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) recognise?
Unmethylated DNA dinucleotides CpG (a characteristic of bacterial DNA)
What does Th1 cells (helper T1 cells) protect against?
- Bacterial infection in tissues
* Virus in tissues
What does Th2 cells (helper T2 cells) protect against?
- Parasites via digestive tract
* Pathogenic bacteria via digestive tract
What does Th17 cells (helper T17 cells) protect against?
- Fungi
* Extracellular bacteria
What are the organs of the secondary lymphoid organs?
- Lymph nodes
- Spleen
- Mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)
What are the steps of the movement of the immune system cells through the lymph node?
- Naïve B cell enter the node expressing chemokine CXCL13. They are attracted to where the follicular dendritic cells are displaying opsonized antigen.
- Once its cognate antigen is found, CXCL13 is downregulated and CCR7 (chemokine receptor) is upregulated
- CCR7 detects a chemokine where B and T cells meet (attracted by its “smell”). The B cell receives help from an activated helper T cell
- The activated helper T cell downregulates expression of chemokine receptors and upregulates CXCR5 chemokine receptors, which attract them to the border of the follicle
What must occur before antibodies can be produced?
- APCs (antigen presenting cells) to present antigen to helper T cells (Th cells)
- Th cells with receptors that recognise the presented antigen
- Opsonized antigen displayed by follicular dendritic cells
- B cells with receptors that recognise the antigen
Where in the lymph node is the killer T cell activated?
Paracortex
Where do Peyer’s patches sample antigens from?
Intestines (small)
Where does the spleen sample antigens from?
Resident dendritic cells in the marginal sinuses of the spleen
What is pneumonia?
Consolidation of lung tissue by an inflammatory exudate effusion, usually caused by bacteria
What is pleural effusion?
Refers to the collection of fluid in one or both pleural cavities surrounding the lungs
What is the difference between plasma and cerebrospinal fluid?
- Cerebrospinal fluid has less protein and a lower concentration of protein-bound components (bilirubin)
- Cerebrospinal fluids electrolytes have more chloride and less potassium and calcium than plasma
How is xanthochromia seen?
The cerebrospinal fluid has yellow discolouration
When should a lumbar puncture not be performed?
When the patient has a raised intracranial pressure from
• Hypertension
• Bradycardia
• Papilloedema
What is chlye?
- Lymph found in the intestinal lymphatics during absorption of food
- Appears milky due to the presence of fats
What does CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4) and PD-1 (programmed death 1) function as?
- Checkpoint proteins which deactivate/“decommission” T cells as the battle winds down
- CTLA-4 makes it more difficult to reactivate T cells
- PD-1 make T cells function less well