Class 4: Neuroimmunology Flashcards
Define Psychoneuroimmunology.
Study of the links between psychological processes and nervous and immune systems
What are Immune Cells?
A dynamic set of specialized cells that search for danger or damage and help to deal with or eliminate danger
What do lymph organs do?
Lymph organs serve as factories and repositories for various immune cells
Define Immune System.
An Immune System is a network of blood-derived cellular operations that orchestrates protection against the microbial world
What are the two basic divisions of the immune system?
- Innate Immune System
2. Adaptive Immune System
What is the Innate Immune System Responsible for?
Nonspecific response (1st and 2nd line of defense)
- Barriers that block entry/invasion
- Cells and fluids that ‘attack’ invader
What is the adaptive immune system responsible for?
Specific Response (3rd line of defense)
- develops after pathogen exposure
- involves cellular immunity and humoral immunity
How does the ear keep pathogens out?
Cerumen(ear wax) inhibits bacterial growth
How does an eye keep pathogens out?
Tears contain chemical inhibiting bacterial growth
How does the nasal cavity keep pathogens out?
Hairs and mucus trap microorganisms
How does the skin keep pathogens out?
It is an impervious barrier
How does the urethra keep pathogens out?
Urine flow prevents bacterial growth
How does the anus keep pathogens out?
The mucous membrane traps microorganisms
How does the Vagina keep pathogens out?
Acidic secretion inhibits growth of pathogens
How does the stomach keep out pathogens?
Acidic juices kill many microorganisms
How does the trachea and bronchi keep pathogens out?
Mucous layer traps microorganisms
How does the mouth cavity keep out pathogens?
The mucous membrane traps microorganisms and saliva clears the mouth
Name the 10 locations on/in the body that keep out pathogens.
Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouth, Trachea/Bronchi, Skin, Stomach, Urethra, Anus, Vagina
What is the mucous layer?
A surrounding interior layer of epithelial cells of the GI tract
What are defensins?
Antimicrobial peptides contained in the mucous layer which kill and inhibit growth of pathogens
How does the body know when something is a pathogens as opposed to a normal cell?
Pathogens typically have molecules that are present on them that cells of the innate immune system have receptors for
What is PAMP and what does it stand for?
Pathogen associated molecular patterns are shared characteristics of different types of bacteria/viruses
What kind of cell is this and what does it do?
Microphage is a cell of the innate immune system that have receptors to recognize molecules of foreign invaders and bind to or “eat” them triggering phagocytosis
How does the immune system as a whole tend to communicate?
Chemical signaling in the bloodstream
What are Cytokines and what is their primary role?
Cytokines are small glycoproteins and their primary role is to stimulate production of immune cells.
Define autocrine chemical signaling
Chemical signaling that affects itself
Define paracrine chemical signaling
Chemical signaling that affects nearby cells
Define endocrine chemical signaling
Chemical signaling that affects cells remote from secreting cell (going into circulation of the body)
What are the two types of Cytokines involved in innate immune response?
Pro-inflammatory and Anti-inflammatory chemicals
What do IIS and AIS stand for?
The innate immune system and the adaptive immune system
Where do the cells of the AIS originate from?
The cells originate from lymphoids
What do B cells do?
B Cells lead the destruction of virus/bacteria. They bind to the pathogen, anchor it and tag it for destruction
What do T cells do?
T cells regulate other cells of the immune system, help them out (trigger division), and directly kill specific infected cells
What is an antigen?
An antigen (Ag) is a specific molecular pattern present on virus, bacteria, etc that can be recognized by T and B Cells.
What immunity type in involves B cells and how does it work?
Antibody-mediated immunity. B Cells tag pathogens for destruction by releasing antibodies to bind to the pathogen so that macrophages can engage in phagocytosis (eat it)
What immunity type in involves T cells and how does it work?
Cellular-Mediated Immunity. T Cells are activated by cytokines which create a special T Cell (cytotoxic t-cell) that can kill infected cells
How do cytotoxic t-cells kill?
Cytotoxic T-Cells kill cells where the pathogen has entered through the release of granzymes and perforin
What are 8 sickness behaviours/Symptoms?
- Loss of interest in physical and social environment
- Reduced grooming
- Depression or helplessness
- Anorexia
- Fatigue
- Disturbed Sleep Rhythms
- Fever
- Anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure)
Define Sickness Behaviour
Behavioural effects that an organism uses to defend against an immunological threat
What are the three ways the cytokines can interact with the brain?
- Interact with the peripheral nerves to activate the vegus nerve to tell the brain
- Through transporter proteins in the BBB
- Receptors on the BBB that stimulates the release of different cytokines into the brain
