Exam 1: Learning Objectives Flashcards
What are the major functions of the immune system
-distinguishes self vs non-self vs altered self
-wound healing and resolution of infection
-retain information in case of secondary exposure
-tissue homeostasis
-support commensal microbiota
3 major lines of defense
Physical barriers
Innate immunity
Adaptive Immunity
Inflammation
-Normal immune response to infection or damage
-immune cells activated, recruitment of additional cells and secretion of cytokines
4 cardinal signs of inflammation
heat, pain, redness, swelling
Cytokines
Proteins secreted by immune cells to communicate and signal with other cells
Two arms of the adaptive immune response
B cells: make and secrete antibodies to protect against extracellular pathogens before they invade
T cells: kill intracellular pathogens and produce cytokines
Hematopoiesis
Development of immune cells
-occurs in bone barrow
Erythroid
Leads to red blood cells (erythrocytes) and platelets
Myeloid
Leads to erythroid progenitor cells and white blood cells (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, macrophages, dendritic cells, mast cells)
Lymphoid
Leads to B cells, T cells, NK cells, and ILCs (innate lymphoid cells)
Two major types of adaptive immune receptors and what they recognize
B cells (immunoglobulin/antibody): surface bound and soluble forms, recognizes macromolecules
T cells: only surface bound, recognize peptides
Antigen
Any foreign molecule that can be bound by a lymphocyte receptor and initiate an immune response
Two types of T cells
CD4+ : helper T cells, produce cytokines, binds peptide-MHC II
CD8+ : cytotoxic T cells, kills target cells, binds peptide-MHC I
Antibodies
Soluble form of B cells
Immune-privileged
Organs that are excluded from the immune system: brain and eyes
Primary lymphoid organs
-Thymus, bursa, peyer’s patches, bone marrow
-Where lymphocytes mature and self-reactive cells are elimated
Secondary lymphoid organs
-Tonsils, spleen, lymph nodes, peyer’s patches, bone marrow
-Where lymphocytes encounter and respond to antigens
Entrance for microbial products (antigens) in lymph nodes
Afferent lymphatic vessels (via dendritic cells)
Lymphocyte entrance in lymph nodes
Blood capillaries to high endothelial venules
T cell zone in lymph nodes
T cell area, germinal center
B cell zone in lymph nodes
Lymphoid follicle, germinal center
Lymphocyte exit in lymph nodes
efferent lymphatic vessels
Entrance for microbial products in spleen
Blood via central arteriole
Lymphocyte entrance in spleen
Blood via central arteriole
T cell zone in spleen
Periarteriolar lymphoid sheath
B cell zone in spleen
B cell corona
Lymphocyte exit in spleen
Blood via veins
Entrance for microbial products in MALTs
Gut lumen via M cells
T cell zone in MALTs
Blood capillaries and HEVs
Lymphocyte entrance in MALTs
Blood capillaries & HEVs
B cell zone in MALTs
B cell follicle
Lymphocyte exit in MALTs
Efferent lymphatics
Asplenia
-Absence of a spleen
-Can be congenital or acquired
-Highly susceptible to certain infections
Mechanical barriers of the skin, lung, gut, and oral cavities
epithelial cells joined by tight junctions
skin & gut: longitudinal flow of air/fluid
lungs: movement of mucus by cilia
eyes/nose/oral cavities: tears, nasal cilia
Autonomic mechanical strategies for expelling pathogens
blinking, tears, swallowing, peristalsis, mucociliary escalator
Energetic mechanical strategies for expelling pathogens
coughing, sneezing, urination
Violent mechanical strategies for expelling pathogens
vomiting, diarrhea
Examples of chemical barriers
skin: fatty acids
gut: low pH, antimicrobial enzymes
lungs: pulmonary surfactant
cavities: antimicrobial enzymes
all: antimicrobial peptides
How do defensins function as antimicrobial peptides
defensins are amphipathic which allow them to disrupt membrane integrity of pathogens
promote protein unfolding, denaturation of bacterial toxins
How to pentraxins bridge pathogen and immune cells
promote engulfment of pathogens by phagocytes
Benefits of commensal microbiota
presence of microbiome makes it harder for pathogenic microbes to invade by competing for nutrients and space
required for immune homeostasis and proper barrier function
Complement system
complex system of 30+ proteins: kill invading microbes, trigger inflammation, regulate immunity