Cytokine Concepts and the Complement Pathway Flashcards
What are cells of the innate immune system?
Neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer (NK) cells, eosinophils, complement system
Cells of the adaptive immune system?
T cells: T helper cells (Th) and Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL)
B cells (produce antibodies)
Main role of the adaptive immune system?
Differentiates between self and non-self
Slow, highly specific response
Memory to previously encountered antigens
Main role of the innate immune system?
Detects danger
Rapid, generic response
Communicates danger to adaptive immune system
What are the 2 types of danger signals for the innate system?
PAMPs and DAMPs (recognised by PRRs)
What is ‘negative selection’?
Developing adaptive immune cells that react to ‘self’ molecules will be deleted, so that only functioning mature adaptive immune cells remain
How many complement pathways are there, and what are they?
3:
Classical
Mannose-binding lectin
Alternative
What is the complement system?
Series of soluble proteins in the blood: C1-C9
What are the 3 possible outcomes of the complement pathway?
Anaphylotoxins (inflammation)
Membrane attack complex (lysis)
Opsonisation
What is the classical pathway?
Only occurs when there are antibodies present specific to a foreign antigen.
Antibody complexes on bacteria are bound by complement component C1q > activates component C3
What is the mannose-binding lectin pathway?
Activation through mannose-binding lectin (mannose isn’t present on the surface of host cells)
Activates complement component C3
What is the alternative pathway?
Complement component C3 suddenly activates and binds to nearby membranes
Host cells have control proteins that prevent further compliment activation - bacteria do not
C3 is activated by hydrolysis
Alternative pathway can amplify other already active pathways
What is complement lysis?
Membrane attack complex (MAC) forms in the membrane of bacteria - a barrel-like structure formed from multiple complement components (C6/C9)
This allows water to rush in, ions out, the bacteria swells and bursts
What is opsonisation?
Marks cells for phagocytosis
Membrane bound complement components (ie C3b) bind to the surface of bacteria
Phagocytes have Complement Receptors which bind membrane-bound complement
Encourages phagocytosis and killing (ie macrophage engulfs the membrane bound bacterium > lysosome fuses with phagosome to create a phagolysosome and destroy bacteria)
What is complement anaphylotoxins?
Fragments of complement components (C5a, C3a) are released on complement activation
Anaphylotoxins are toxins that can cause anaphylaxis
Fragments can act on epithelium to cause oedema (makes blood vessels leaky) > recruitment of immune cells > activation of mast cells (release histamine)