General

Question 1

Discuss 3 broad ways that the stratum corneum assists in innate immunity:

Answer 1

1. Physical barrier
2. Constant desquamation makes it hard for allergens/microbes to attach
3. Intercellular emulsion containing NaCl, albumin, complement, transferrin, interferon, lipids and antibodies can be antimicrobial

Question 2

What is transferrin and what does it do?

Answer 2

Transferrin is an iron binding protein

Prevents build-up of iron, which can predispose to bacterial infection

Decreases binding of gram + and - bacteria to surfaces

Reduces growth of Malasezzia in vitro

Question 3

Staph. bacteria have adhesins which allow them to attach.

Name 4 adhesins for Staph.

Answer 3

1. techoic acid
2. lipotechoic acid
3. fibronectin binding protein
4. laminin binding protein

Question 4

True or False: Staph. bacteria express increased adherence in atopic dermatitis.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

Name the 3 pathways of complement activation

Which component of complement is activated by all 3 pathways?

Answer 5

1. Classical
2. Alternative
3. Lectin

C3

Question 6

Discuss MAC complex:

What activates it? What is included? What does it do?

Answer 6

MAC complex (in complement)

• activated by C3b
• comprised of complement components C4-C9
• punches holes in membranes of bacteria resulting in cell death

(but doesn’t appear to be protective agains Staph or Malasezzia)

Question 7

What breed of dog has been described as being deficient in C3 and thus more susceptible to pyogenic infections?

Answer 7

Brittany spaniel (also people)

Question 8

Deficiency of the MAC has been associated with increased rates of which genus of bacteria in people?

Answer 8

Neisseria

• associated with bacterial meningitis in people

Question 9

Name 5 types of receptors involved in activation of phagocytic cells

Answer 9

1. Mannose Rc
2. Scavenger Rc
3. Rc for opsonins (FCgammaR1)
4. TLRs
5. Seven Transmembrane Rc

Question 10

Discuss Mannose Rc

Answer 10

Macrophage lectin that can bind to mannose and fucos residues on glycoproteins and glycolipids on bacterial cell walls

(these residues not found in mammalian glycoproteins or lipids)

Question 11

What do scavenger Rc bind to?

Answer 11

low density lipoproteins (and also some other microbes)