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ASC171 - Final exam modules > Immune system > Flashcards

Immune system Flashcards

1
Q

Major functions of the immune system…?

A

defence against invading pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites)
removal of old RBCs & tissue debris
I.D. & destroy abnormal/mutant cells
rejection of foreign cells
inappropriate response - allergies (normally harmless substance); autoimmune diseases

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2
Q

Organs & tissues of the immune system…?

A 
WBCs
thymus
lymph nodes
spleen
tonsils
adenoids
Peyer's patches - ileum (SI)
appendix
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3
Q

A bit about the innate immune system…?

A

RAPIDLY asserted upon exposure to threatening agent
DOES NOT depend on prior exposure to the agent
carried out by all animals

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4
Q

A bit about the adaptive (acquired) immune system…?

A

SELECTIVELY TARGET foreign material after 1st exposure
DELAYED response
found in JAWED vertebrates

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5
Q

Immune cells coordinate their actions via signal molecules called…?

A

cytokines

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6
Q

What are the circulating leukocytes (WBCs)? Briefly describe each one.

A

neutrophils - highly mobile
eosinophils - secrete chemicals -> destroy parasitic worms; involved in allergic responses
basophils - release histamine & heparin
monocytes - transformed into macrophages
NK cells - destroy virus-infected host cells & cancer cells
lymphocytes - primary cells of adaptive/acquired immunity

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7
Q

Localised leucocyte derivatives…?

A

mast cells - localised in barrier tissue, sense invasion -> secrete histamine
dendritic cells - same localisation

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8
Q

Almost all leucocytes originate from…?

A

stem cells in the bone marrow

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9
Q

1st line of defence innate immunity…?

A

barrier tissues & glands

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10
Q

2nd line of defence innate immunity…?

A

inflammation

complement system

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11
Q

Innate immunity comprises…?

A 
barrier tissues
inflammation
complement system
interferon
NK cells
symbiotic bacteria
- includes all non-specific immune responses
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12
Q

What can activate innate immunity…?

A

noxious material
infectious agents
chemical material
tissue injury/trauma/burns

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13
Q

Non-specific immune responses include…?

A 
inflammation
fever
interferon
complement systems
NK cells
symbiotic bacteria
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14
Q

Role of barrier tissues as 1st line of defence…?

A

form passive walls with active defence mechanisms via integument (skin) - largest organ in the body
MECHANICAL BARRIER - dynamically involved in defence
EXOCRINE GLANDS in skin - sweat glands (thermoreg & secrete antimicrobial peptides, dermicidin); sebaceous glands (produce oily sebum helps inhibit microbial growth

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15
Q

Apart from integument, other barrier tissues…?

A
  • digestive tract (saliva, stomach acid, gut associated lymphoid tissue GALT)
  • genitourinary tract (acidic urine, vaginal secretions, mucus)
  • Resp. system (nasal hairs, lymphoid tonsils & adenoids, cilia, cough/sneeze)
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16
Q

A bit about innate immunity - inflammation…?

A

2nd line of defence
caused by - microbial infections, physical agents, tissue necrosis thru inadequate blood flow
FUNDAMENTAL AIM of response - recruit phagocytes & plasma proteins -> tissue repair
also -> isolate, destroy, inactivate invaders; remove debris; prep. for healing & repair

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17
Q

9 mammalian inflamm. responses…?

A
  1. PHAGOCYTOSIS - foreign microbes by macrophages
  2. HISTAMINE RELEASE - via mast cells -> redness, swelling, pain
  3. FIBRIN FORMATION - > clotting
  4. EMIGRATION OF LEUKOCYTES - (eg. neutrophils) -> tissues attracted by chemotaxins
  5. PHAGOCYTIC DESTRUCTION - tagged & untagged bacteria
  6. NON-PHAGOCYTIC DESTRUCTION - tagged & untagged bacteria
  7. TISSUE REPAIR - increased cell division -> scar tissue
  8. MEDIATION OF INFLAMMATION - by phagocyte-secreted chemicals
  9. ENDOGENOUS PYROGENS -> FEVER
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18
Q

Principle effectes of inflammation…?

A

REDNESS - due to dilation of small blood vessels at damaged area -> blood flow -> HEAT
HEAT - increased temp. at periphery (skin)
SWELLING - from oedema -> stretches & distorts tissue (pus under pressure) -> PAIN

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19
Q

Drugs to suppress immune response…?

A

NSAIDs - aspirin, ibuprofen -> decreases histamine release -> inhibits clotting & fever via PGE inhibition
GLUCOCORTICOIDS - similar to cortisol -> suppress most aspects of inflamm. response -> destroys lymphocytes & reduces

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20
Q

Characteristics of the complement system…?

A
  • 2nd line of defence
  • 2 methods of activation - CHO chains on surface of microorgs. (alternative pathway); Ab’s produced against specific foreign invader (classical pathway)
  • sequential activation of 9 plasma proteins (C1-C9) -> membrane attack complex (MAC) -> into microorgs. & forms pores -> lysis & pathogen death
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21
Q

Properties of natural killer (NK) cells…?

A

Non-specifically destroys VIRUS-INFECTED CELLS & CANCER CELLS via chemicals released -> lyse membranes of infected cells upon 1st exposure to them

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22
Q

Properties of interferon…?

A

released from virus-infected cells
briefly interferes viral replication
enhances action of NK cells
slows cell division & tumour growth

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23
Q

A bit on aquired immunity…? Which 2 branches of immunity does acquired immunity involve…? 2 key features…?

A

3rd line of defence in jawed vertebrates
Selectively targets foreign material (Ag’s)
Involves - HUMORAL (Ab-MEDIATED) immunity (tranforms B lymphocytes -> plasma cells -> secrete Ab’s
CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNITY - Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes destroy virus-invaded & cancer cells
SPECIFICITY & MEMORY

24
Q

When does acquired (adaptive) immunity occur…?

A

when body exposed to pathogen (naturally or artificially)

NOT IMMEDIATE response of 1st exposure to pathogen

25
What are integrating signals?
aid both humoral & cell-mediated immunity via helper T cells (activate effector cells) & T-reg. cells (supress immune response)
26
Function of lymphoid tissues...? What are the lymphoid tissues...?
store, produce & process lymphocytes | lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, tonsils, bone marrow, lining of digestive tract, skin
27
Where are lymphocytes produced? What do they form...?
stem cells in bone marrow -> B cells immature lymphocytes in thymus -> T cells thymus also -> thymosin
28
Presence of ... enables ... & ... cells to distinguish "non-self" cells from "self"
antigens, B cells, T cells
29
What happens when B cells are exposed to antigens...?
B cells receptors (BCRs) bind with Ag -> B cells divide & turn into active plasma cells & dormant memory cells -> active plasma cells -> produce Ab's -> into blood as Ig's
30
Antibody structure & classification...?
2 heavy chains & 2 light chains arm region - specificity tail region - functional properties DRAW & LEARN DIAGRAM!
31
Antibody subclasses & function of subclasses...?
remember G.A.M.E.D. IgG - most abundant (enhance phagocytosis IgA - secretions of digestive, resp., genitourinary systems IgM - B-cell receptor IgE - histaminE -> allergic responses & worms IgD - surface of many B cells
32
Functions of antibodies...?
- Antigen destruction via NEUTRALISATION (combine with bacterial toxin & virus to prevent interaction with host cells); AGGLUTINATION (Ab's cross-link Ag's -> clumping) - amplify innate immune responses (via complement, phagocytosis, NK cells)
33
Describe clonal selection theory...?
Remember diagram on slide 41 | explain out loud
34
Define primary & secondary immune responses...?
Primary response - INITIAL CONTACT with foreign Ag delayed for several days...plasma cells formed...Ab prod. peaks in few weeks Secondary response - same Ag reappears later -> memory cells -> more rapid, potent & longer response (prevent & minimise infection; vaccination/immunisation SLIDE 44
35
LEARN SLIDE 44 BACK TO FRONT!!!
DRAW IT!!!
36
Describe active vs passive immunity and the 3 ways it can be generated...?
Active immunity - prod. of Ab's from exposure to an Ag (eg. vaccination) passive immunity - transfer of preformed Ab's from one animal to another (eg.s mother (IgG) -> foetus via placenta; colostrum IgM, IgA, IgG) broken down in < month
37
Artificial immunity...?
vaccination - safe way animals prod. Ab's to a pathogen | immunisation - developed immunity to pathogen, but not necessarily via vaccination
38
A bit on vaccines...?
Vaccines mimic immunisation (prod. of Ab's) -> immune sys. recognises Ag (not capable of prod. disease) -> Ab prod. specific to that particular Ag
39
What are 2 kinds of vaccines...?
Live vaccines - weakened, non-virulent strains of disease-causing organism (mild form of disease) Inactivated (killed) vaccines - contain killed disease organism or parts of toxins that prod. symptoms & stimulate Ab prod.
40
Describe vaccination of animals...?
takes 2 weeks to produce initial response after vax. level of immunity then decreases livestock - 2 initial doses 4-6 weeks apart, then annual booster
41
Name some diseases the cattle vaccines target...?
- clostridial disease - leptospirosis - vibriosis
42
Name some diseases the sheep & goat vaccines target...?
``` Sheep: - clostridial disease - scabby mouth - cheesy gland Goats: clostridial disease ```
43
Properties of T lymphocytes...?
- CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNITY - DIRECT CONTACT with target via receptors called forming IMMUNOSYNAPSE - undergo GENETIC RECOMBINATION, CLONAL & Ag-SPECIFIC - immature lymphocytes get T-cell receptors in THYMUS - only activated when FOREIGN ANTIGEN & SELF-ANTIGEN present - display PRIMARY & SECONDARY responses
44
What are self-antigens also called?
major histocompatibility complex (MHC)
45
Types of T-lymphocytes...?
Cytotoxic T cells - destroy host cells with foreign Ag Helper T cells - modulate power of activated lymphocytes & macrophages Regulatory T cells - supress immune response
46
More on cytotoxic T cells...?
release perforins -> lyse target cell release granzymes -> self-destruct (target cell) does not occur in neurons (cannot be replaced)
47
More on helper T cells...?
secrete cytokines -> augment immune response | AIDS (HIV) invades T cells -> stopping immune response
48
What are antigen presenting cells (APC's)? How do they work?
consist of macrophages, dendritic cells, B cells DENDRITIC CELLS - found in barrier tissues 1. bactrium engulfed by dendritic cells 2. foreign Ag bound to MHC proteins 3. both added to membrane for presentation to T CELLS 4. Dendritic cells -> lymph nodes Slide 64 explains it well!
49
What are self-antigens...?
plasma-membrane-bound GLYCOPROTEINS arising from MHC gene (most variable in mammals) Class I MHC glycoproteins - surface of ALL BODY CELLS. present viral & cancer proteins to cytotoxic T cells Class II MHC glycoproteins - surface of dendritic cells, macrophages, B cells. present foreign Ag's to helper T cells
50
T-cells immune surveillance...?
Recognis & destroy potentially cancerous tumour cells | involves - NK cells (1st line), cytotoxic T cells, macrophages, interferon
51
Why do cancer cells survive?
due to blocking antibodies that interfere with T cell function
52
Describe autoimmune disease...? Give examples of some...?
immune system FAILS TO DISTINGUISH SELF FROM NON-SELF -> attacks body's own tissues M.S, type I diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis
53
How can AIDS arise?
- exposure during injury of previously sequestered Ag's - mod. of self-Ag's by external chemicals, viruses, mutations - exposure of T cells to foreign Ag similar to self-Ag
54
How does the nervous & endocrine system control the immune system...?
via a regulatory loop stress -> increased cortisol secretion (mobilises nutrient stores, AAs, & suppresses immune sys thus, long-term stress linked to infections & cancer
55
The SNS innervates which organs?
thymus, spleen, lymph nodes

ASC171 - Final exam modules (7 decks)

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