DSA - Intro to Immunology Flashcards
Antigen
Ags
foreign or “non-self” materials in the body (cells, proteins, DNA, etc.) that trigger an immune response after being recognized by immune cell receptors
Epitope
The part of an antigen molecule where the antibody attaches
Antibodies
Name: Abs, immunoglobulins (from globulin family of proteins)
-Proteins that circulate in the body after an infection or immunization
Humoral immunity
- Part of the immune system that concerns macromolecules in the body fluids (humoral system) and the immune role they play
- Includes secreted antibodies and proteins
Koch, Ehrlich and Metchnikoff
Koch – discovered anthrax
Ehrlich — discovered that immune cells can secrete receptors and coined term ANTIBODY
Metchnikoff — Founded idea of Cellular Theory of Immunity; discovered phagocytes
Difference between the primary and secondary immune response
First response — first exposure to an antigen
Secondary response – second exposure, stronger and better response from body due to familiarity
Memory Cells
- Created following a primary immune response and are activated after subsequent exposures to antigens
- Can be Memory B and Memory T cells
- Generated from antigen-stimulated lymphocytes and differentiate
- Serve no function unless stimulated
Immunological memory
- Each antigen exposure creates more memory cells, leading to better immune response
- Reason why vaccines provide long-lasting protection
Immunization (and how to achieve)
When an organism is made immune to a disease/pathogen/antigen
1) Natural immunity
2) Artificial immunity
Natural Immunity
- Develops following exposure to, infection from and recovery from a LIVE pathogen.
- Development time: weeks
Artificial Immunity
- Developed following exposure to a killed or weakened pathogen but there is no infection -Provides long lasting protection
- Prophylactic
Prophylactic
Preventative medicine, in contrast to therapeutic (treatment for current infection)
Active Immunity
Immunity created from exposure to either live (natural) or killed/weakened (artificial) pathogen
Passive Immunity
When an individual is given another person’s Abs (antibodies) for THERAPEUTIC, rather than prophylactic, treatment
KEY: Short-lived protection
Levels of Immune protection
1) Barriers (skin)
2) Innate Immune system
3) Adaptive immune system
Innate immunity
- First line of defense
- Consists of CELLULAR and HUMORAL components
- Present from birth, utilizes preformed effector molecules to recognize microbe structure, activation leads to ACUTE INFLAMMATION to check pathogens while a game plan is established by the body
Cell-Mediated Innate Immunity components
-Occurs in infected cells, mediated by T cells
1) Phagocytes
2) Mast cells, basophils, eosinophils
3) Natural Killer (NK) cells
Phagocytes
- Neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages
- Kill wide variety of pathogens
- Trigger for intracellular kill is phagocytosis or factor secretion for extracellular (Directed by victim cell)
Mast cells, basophils, eosinophils
- Provides defense against multicellular parasites
- Part of allergenic response
Natural Killer Cells
- NK
- Kill infected and malignant cells
- IDs these cells and initiate apoptosis
Humoral Immunity
- Mediated by Anti-bodies
- Soluble molecules involved in innate immune response
- Called “Inflammatory Mediators”
Acute Phase Proteins
Class of proteins (part of humoral) that increase in concentration in response to immunity (i.e. C-reactive protein (CRP))