Final Exam Flashcards
T or F. We start life in a sterile womb environment
T! All our bacteria come from environment; initial colonization is at birth
Colonization
- establishment of microbial flora starts at birth (flora changes as we age)
- begins at birth
- sources: vaginal birth canal
Gut microflora differs depending on country of birth
- Developing world in a rough swath = more E. coli as primary colonizers
- Developed world = lactobacilli and Lactococcus are primary colonizers
Purposes of normal flora
- protection from pathogens (competitive exclusion)
- required for developmental processes (involved in development of gut by modulating gene expression)
- provide vitamins and nutrients (E. coli = vit K and 90% of our serotonin is bacterially produced ; can also digest certain fibers and lactose)
- aids in digestion (trains immune system (NTBF) to distinguish b/w flora and pathogens and you! (SELF))
- modulates the immune system
NTBF excluding its cousin, ETBF
NTBF produces a perforin-like toxin (T6SS - bacterial warfare) to kill its cousin (ETBF)
- Perforin-like toxin is a TLR2 agonist and it suppresses immune system
=> suppresses immune system against particularly good bacteria and so the agonist is encouraged to say don’t attack me .. Im normal.. Don’t recognise other good bacteria as normal
- ETBF = associated/not causative with increased risk of colitis (disruption in ability to absorb nutrients in large intestine = malnourishment, diarrhea), if see decrease in NTBF then flourishing of ETBF and increase risk of colitis and so they think that ppl prone to colitis will be due to antibiotic use
C. diff
- pseudomembranous colitis
- most frequent cause of infectious diarrhea in hospitals and LTC facilities in Canada
- lots of antibiotic resistance now
- Gram + spore former
- 3 toxins = TcdA, TcdB, and CDT
C. diff’s Tcd’s toxins
Tcd’s are glucosyl transferases = inactivate G protein that signal tissue integrity = loss of junctions b/w epithelial cells = leakage! => Rho and Rak GTPases inactivated through glycosylation activity
C. diff’s CDT toxin
- dimer and is a binary toxin
- acts as a ribosyl transferase = transferring a ribose
- modifies microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton to facilitate microvilli extension and pathogen invasion
- fuzzy villi = unable to absorb nutrients and more area for pathogen adhesion/invasion
T or F. Bacteria in gut produce 90% of feel good neurotransmitter
T!
Hygiene hypothesis
Exposure to normal flora keep immune system on idle; excessive hygiene can lead to not training your immune system to not be able to distinguish between what’s bad/good => hyperactive immune system => autoimmune disease
Fibre
Fibre feeds good microbes (fibre fermented by microbes in gut to butyrate - regulates reg T cells which prevents autoimmune rxns)
- sugar feeds bad microbe
MS
- Multiple sclerosis - common in AB; attack on myelin sheath
- rare disease in areas with a high helminth burden
Helminths for MS?
If expose patients w MS to helminths => symptoms improve .. Now have helminth infection but better than MS?
Probiotics
live bacteria that are consumed ; yogurts, kimchi, sauerkraut
Do probiotics work?
Probably not that well! Depends on who you are ..
Won’ t hurt if you just were on antibiotics, diarrhea, etc.
Prebiotics
food for bacteria; they work!!!
- any fiber = but esp inulin fiber - onions, leeks, garlic, seaweed, cabbage, kimchi
Pandemic
worldwide epidemic
Biggest virus
- Pox virus
- 1/3 size of bacterium
- one of the first tests = filter; if can pass through 0.45 micrometers - unlikely to be bacteria
T or F. DNA viruses have a lower mutation rate than RNA viruses
T
- RNA virus (coronavirus) can mutate and the smaller the virus, the less likely it has the ability to correct mutations
The _______ the virus the less likely that it uses its ______ to encode things that can correct mistakes
smaller; genome
What does a virus need?
- to be able to enter a host cell
- have the host cell replicate the viral genetic material
- have the host cell transcribe and translate the viral genes
-> once all the virus components are made, the infectious viral particle (VIRION) can be assembled
Case fatality rate of yellow fever
~20%
River’s Postulates
- modified Koch’s postulates
1. isolation of virus from diseased hosts
2. cultivation of virus in host cells
3. proof of filterability (confirms small size)
4. production of a comparable disease when used to infect experimental animals (host animal or related)
5. re-isolation of the same virus from the infected host
6. detection of a specific immune response to the virus
All viruses follow a general strategy: (3)
- package their genomes inside a particle that mediates transmission from host to host
- virus genome contains the info for an infectious cycle within a susceptible permissive cell (for some viruses = only nucleic acid is necessary)
- all viruses are able to establish themselves in a host population so that their survival is ensured
Glycoproteins of viruses
necessary for viral entry
- corona surrounded by crown of these (stuck in membrane of virus)
All enveloped viruses have to remain ___ to be viable
wet!
Viral capsid
- protects genetic material
- resistant to proteases, heat, or temperature extremes
- ## uses as few proteins as possible
T or F. Enveloped viruses are much more susceptible to the environment
T
Viruses that don’t have a membrane like norovirus = just has protein coat = incredibly difficult to remove from an environment bc they are so resistant and remain infectious even when they dry out
Arrangement of nucleic acid and protein coat in tobacco mosaic virus
- the RNA assumes a helical configuration surrounded by the protein capsid
- the information for assembly is contained within the protein structure itself
- process called self-assembly
**how does the virus know how to assemble? = structure of protein defines RNA binding
Simplest/smallest virus
- has protein coat
- proteins assume shape as soon as they’re made
- 60 copies of each of 4 proteins (VP1-4)
- assembly uses as few proteins as possible = easier synthesis
Simplified viral life cycle
- Attachment: viruses use a variety of receptors
- Penetration: crossing the membrane
- Utilization: host cell proteins/enzymes needed for replication, transcription and translation
- Biosynthesis: synthesis of proteins
- Assembly: progeny particles are produced
‘Life’ cycle of an enveloped RNA virus (measles or CoV)
- the viral envelope membrane fuses with the host cell membrane to allow entry
- RNA is transcribed and replicated using viral enzymes
- virus can leave cell by budding off, taking some host cell membrane with it
Viruses replicate _____________
exponentially
- take over host cells and in 24 h make 50 000 copies of itself and release viral particles by rupturing cell; de novo synthesis of viruses = massive!!!
Viremia
active replication of virus in some cells = HIV = will have infection for a long time
How is the viral titre determined?
- a dilution is mixed with bacteria and melted agar
- poured onto agar plate
- phage plaques make ‘holes in lawn’
**hard to talk about cocntn of virus bc can’t count by seeing them so use plaque assay using bacteriophage – series of dilution of phage, molten assay and melted agar …
**top agar = phage (temp, that doesn’t kill either bacteria and phage) ; phage infects bacteria but semi-solid so can’t release contents in environment; can only infect neighbouring cells
=> holes in bacterial wall
Viral classification is based on
the nature of the genetic material (ss/ds DNA/RNA?), symmetry of capsid, presence of an envelope, dimensions
RNA viruses
polio HIV CoV influenza measles
DNA viruses
Herpes, pox virus
Initiating a viral infection:
- sufficient virus at site of entry
- host cells must be susceptible
- susceptible cells have receptors required for viral entry
- host cells are permissive (factors needed for replication and dissemination) - local antiviral defense must be breached
The 1918 pandemic killed 40 million people worldwide
influenza
- acute infection; aerosolized sneeze = lots of virus in those droplets! Same for cough!!! will remain in air for a long time esp longer if smaller
- killed 1/5 of world’s population
- most deadly to young people - very good immune responses
Course of an acute infection
rapid and self-limiting
Acute viral infecitons
- rhinovirus
- rotavirus
- influenza virus
- coronavirus
- poliovirus
Dyspnea
difficulty breathing
T or F. Old SARS more likely to remain in aerosols than new SARS
T; new SARS still will but shorter time
- very little evidence found that ppl have been infected through touching surfaces
Acute HBV
fever, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, yellow colouring of the eyes, dark urine, and clay coloured or light stools
Chronic HBV
symptomatic or not, approximately 5-10% of adults and 95% of perinatally-infected infants are unable to clear the virus, thus becoming chronic carriers
- can develop (small %) chronic hepatitis, permanent liver damage or liver cancer
Acute vs Chronic HBV
depends when u get the infection!
90% of adults will clear infection (acute)
perinatal = chronic
If Hepatitis B is in the acute phase of an infection (rapidly replicating in liver and causing mld symptoms) what are the symptoms and how to test?
- fever and loss of appetite + yellow eyes
- PCR (days for result)
If a person has cleared Hepatitis B and want to know if they ever had the infection, what test is used?
Antibodies test
*chronic = virus always present in blood
Herpes simplex I
- can remain latent for years
- 20% of population have recurrent symptoms
- hides in trigeminal ganglia; reactivated when stressed
- nerves typically protected from immune responses so virus likes to hang out there
- when latent = not really making more copies of virus … just hanging out – when reactivated, make tons of virus then creates lesions = virus-rupturing cell and our immune response rupturing virus = cold sore
An extreme persistent infection
latent infection
- symptoms may not always be present while virus is infection
- virus hides from immune system
Chronic vs Latent
HPV where virus is present all the time ; not hiding! ; tons of it in the blood of chronic infected person
Where latent = virus is in hiding ; could take years between episodes before virus is reactivated; and cause lesions
This causes an acute infection and a rare latent disease
measles
- measles outbreak in 1781 (Faroe Islands) nd again in 1846; old people were immune
- acute typically and only once in a lifetime
- infects humans only and we have good vaccine for it! ; could potentially eradicate!
Most contagious virus
Measles
- contagious maybe due to way it makes u cough - back of ur throat an tongue becomes a spring board that launches aerosolized particles in air
These viruses have a long latency period followed by an acute infection
slow viruses
- may be present at tmie during latency (HIV)
- OR undetectable for years (measles SSPE)
SSPE
measles subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
- most ppl that get measles will clear the virus, but 1 in 1000 ppl will get very rare form of measles called SSPE = measles virus remains latent ; could remain latent for 60 yrs
Slow virus infections
measles SSPE, HIV
Poliovirus
- one of the smallest viruses
- RNA virus
- fecal-oral transmission (water)
- early 1900s = caused increased outbreak ironically due to better sanitation
- mutations to enter neurons = may replicate and lyse cells = paralysis (one or multiple or even unable to breathe) - 1%
Loss of contact inhibition
cells normally do not pile up on each other
- but cancer-transformed cells do pile up on top of one another = replicate like crazy
Anchorage independence
cancer cells lose their attachments and become mobile
Avian transducing retroviruses
- retroviruses can take up cellular DNA; they integrate a provirus form into the genome
- Rous sarcoma virus has taken up a src gene, called v-src to distinguish it from cellular src
- Src is a cell signalling molecule that phosphorylates proteins involved in signal transduction
- unregulated cell signalling from v-src causes cancer
T or F. The entry passage of virus cannot facilitate uncoating
F, they can! Virus entry is not passive!
T or F. Viruses can pass freely through membrane
F! They can’t in either direction
- many proteins on outside of cell are glycoproteins and many virus receptors are often glycoproteins
Uptake of viruses into cell by
receptor-mediated endocytosis
Receptor-mediated endocytosis
- ligand binds a cell surface receptor; diffuses into an invagination coated with clathrin
- clathrin pit pinches off forming a ‘coated vesicle’ (involves E!)
- clathrin uncoats vesicle
- the vesicle fuses with early endosome (receptor is on inside; virus gets out BEFORE fusion with lysosome)); early endosome is ACIDIC
- acidification releases the ligand from the receptor, and the receptor is returned to cell surface
These are related picornaviruses
rhinovirus and poliovirus
- both use proteins on the host cell as receptors
- receptor proteins look structurally similar (Pvr = 3; Icam-1 = 5)
Poliovirus receptor
Pvr
- involved in DC-NK interactions
Rhinovirus receptor
Icam-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1)
- causes common cold; more than 90 related serotypes
- Icam-1 involved in macrophage and T-cell interactions
- lines respiratory tract and rhinovirus uses it for entry into cells
Human rhinovirus entry and uncoating
- virus attaches to Icam-1 and enters by endocytosis
- acidic environment of the endosome causes the uncoating of the particle
- RNA is released into the cytoplasm
- Icam-1 deep in canyon facilitates destabilization of capsid; direct interaction b/w receptor and capsid
- rhinovirus is not resistant to acid unlike poliovirus
Receptor interaction site of rhinovirus is inaccessible to Abs
Abs bind deep into that canyon as well and blocks binding of Icam-1 = very very effective neutralization strategy = Abs excellent at preventing binding of virus to receptor and entering cell
Where on Icam-1 does rhinovirus bind?
N-terminus; D1??
- binding sites for LFA-1 (natural ligand) and human rhinovirus overlap
Interaction with Pv causes a major structural change
Formation of a pore in the membrane! This is how RNa can escape the capsid
- N termini of the VP1 protein extends into the membrane
- may form a pore in which the RNA can enter
- Fc-receptor mediated internalization of poliovirus (by macrophage for ex) does not allow uncoating)
- so when in macrophage, it can never get out of capsid bc needs interaction with Pvr to destabilize capsid) **
Entry of an enveloped virus
Enveloped viruses all have to encode their own fusogens = involved in fusing to membranes - in order for virus to get out from inside its membrane, it has to fuse with host membranes = two membranes become one part and everything inside is uncoated and becomes available for uncoating at that step
Cellular receptor for influenza virus attachment
Sialic acid (doesn’t matter which protein; carbs usually have sialic acid as terminal chain)
- integral membrane glycoproteins are the receptors of influenza binding
- influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) binds to terminal sialic acid
T or F. Influenza is an enveloped virus
T!
Influenza virus entry using hemagglutinin fusogen
** virus RNA is inside two membranes; to get it out, it uses its fusogen **
- globular head of HA bind to sialic acid on surface of cell; then particle is internalize into an endosome
- fusogenic peptide is exposed by an acid catalyzed structural change
- acidic environment of the endosome causes conformational change in HA ; acidification also causes the two membrane to get pulled together to become one
Fusogen
inserts deeply into membrane of host cell bc it is highly hydrophobic and can enter lipid bilayer and now held together by tail of spike proteins as well as fusogens deep into the membrane
- used by enveloped viruses so that RNA can get out
Hemagglutinin (HA) ias activated when cleaved into …
HA1 = receptor binding domain bc its part that actually binding sialic acid; no role in membrane fusion part HA2 = conformational changes in this expose fusogenic peptide and further structural changes in HA induce membrane fusion
SARS-CoV2 uses this receptor for entry
- ACE2 (angiotensin converting enzyme 2)
- essential regulator of heart function expressed in the heart, lung, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract
- functional receptor that acts as an entry point into human lung cells for coronaviruses such as SARS and novel coronavirus
- plays a role in human to human transmission and cross-species transmission
- interacts with spike protein(s)
- the coronavirus spike protein receptor-binding domain structure is similar to the SARS spike protein suggesting similar function
Debunking myth that the coronavirus is lab-made
Lots of scientists looked very carefully at the key residues that are involved in binding to the human ACE receptors
If someone were to engineer these they had to use known proteins that bind to ACE receptors
but unlike we’ve ever seen … but similar to other bat coronaviruses than anything else
RBD of coronavirus
- receptor binding domain = RBD is lying on surface not on an active conformation
- has to be bound/pre-activated by furin (from host; compensation for hidden RBD so affinity is still high for ACE2) to easily adopt the conformation it needs to bind human ACE2
- lying down allows it to hide its important parts from immune response = IMMUNE EVASION
- activated by proteases = standing up form is what engages the ACE2 receptor
Vast majority of transmission for HIV occurs in
heterosexuals (WORLD)
US - homosexual, then intravenous drug users
T or F. Transmission through saliva is a concern for HIV
F! Blood-borne virus ; stays in blood; intravenous drug injection and sharing needles = common way it gets passed and reason why w should support thing such as free needles for intravenous drug users and prison = share anything they can use to inject drugs; also through sexual contact (secretions, etc.)
**CSF heavily infected so in the late stage = neurological damage in infected individuals, but not really transmitted through CSF)
Seroconversion
Takes 2-6 weeks
The transition from infection with HIV to the detectable presence of HIV antibodies in the blood.
Most HIV tests check for the presence of HIV antibodies. So, if a person who has contracted the virus takes a test before seroconversion begins, the result will usually be negative
- sometimes there are flu-like symptoms during this stage but not all ppl with HIV ever get symptoms; some won’t know they’re infected unless they get testes