Immune Evasion Flashcards
What 5 types of diversity does bacteria display?
- Genetic
- Habitat
- Morphological
- Functional
- Metabolic
What are 3 common features that bacteria often share?
- LPS in gram -ve (lipopolysaccharides)
- LTA in gram +ve (lipoteichoic acid)
What is the innate immune system?
First line of defence against all pathogens —> rapid + broad-spectrum
What are the 3 mechanisms of the innate immune system?
- Complement system
- Antibodies
- Phagocytes
What is the complement system?
Cascade of proteins that opsonise or lyse bacteria
What are the 4 key steps of all complement cascades
- Initiation
- C3 convertase formation
- C5 convertase formation
- MAC formation
How does C3b lead to the killing of bacteria?
Phagocytosis
What is the function of MAC in the complement cascade?
Lysis
What are the 3 pathways of initiating the complement system?
- Classical
- Lectin
- Alternative
What are the 47steps of the classical complement pathway?
- Specific antibody bind to pathogen surface (IgM/IgG)
- C1 binds to antibody so…
- C4 cleaved to C4b
C2 cleaved to C2a - C4b + C2a = C4b2a = C3 convertase
- C3 binds —> C3 cleaved to C3a + C3b
- C3 convertase + C3b = C4b2a3b = C5 convertase
- C5 binds —> C5 cleaved to C5a + C5b
What does C3 convertase consist of in the classical complement system?
C4b + C2a
What are the 7 steps of the lectin complement pathway?
- Lectin binds to pathogen surface
- C1 binds to lectin so…
- C4 cleaved to C4b
C2 cleaved to C2a - C4b + C2a = C4b2a = C3 convertase
- C3 binds —> C3 cleaved to C3a + C3b
- C3 convertase + C3b = C4b2a3b = C5 convertase
- C5 binds —> C5 cleaved to C5a + C5b
What does C3 convertase consist of in the lectin complement system?
C4b + C2a
What are the 4 steps of the alternative complement pathway?
- C3 spontaneously activated —> C3 cleaved to C3a + C3b
- C3b bind to pathogen surface
- Bb binds —> C3b + Bb = C3bBb = C3 convertase
- C3 convertase + C3b = C3bBbC3b = C5 convertase
- C5 binds —> C5 cleaved to C5a + C5b
What does C3 convertase consist of in the alternative complement system?
C3b + Bb
What does C5 convertase consist of in the complement system?
C3 convertase + 3b
(C4b2a3b or C3bBbC3b)
What is difference about activation of the alternative complement system? (2)
- Activated spontaneously
- May be continuously activated at a low level
What is MAC?
Membrane Attack Complex
- Causes lysis of pathogen
How does MAC eliminate harmful microbes?
Creates pores in pathogen membrane —> influx of liquid into cell —> lysis of cell
What are the 4 steps of MAC production?
1.C5 binds to C5 convertase —> C5a + C5b
2. C5b binds to pathogen surface
3. C6,7 and 8 bind —> C5b-8
4. Many C9s bind in a circle —> pore in membrane
What is opsonisation?
Process marking pathogens for destruction by phagocytic cells
What is phagocytosis?
Engulfing and digestion of pathogens
What are the 4 phagocytes?
- Neutrophils
- Monocytes
- Macrophages
- Dendritic cells
What is a phagosome?
Vesicle in cell containing ingested pathogen (endocytosis)
What is a phagolysosome?
Vesicle formed when a phagosome and lysosome fuse —> where pathogen is killed by enzymes in phagocytosis
Which 2 molecules act as opsonins for phagocytosis?
- C3b
- Antibodies (IgG)
How does C3b act as an opsonin?
Binds to pathogen surface —> phagocyte CR binds
How does IgG act as an opsonin?
Binds to pathogen antigen —> phagocyte FcR binds