Immune System Flashcards
Resistance
The body’s ability to counteract foreign invaders
Susceptibility
Our ability to fight off pathogens
Immunity
The ability to fight off pathogens
Non-Specific Immunity
Causes immune reaction against all foreign invaders
Four types of non-specific immunity
- Barriers
- Phagocytosis
- Chemical attack
- Inflammation
Barriers
Skin, tears, mucous (respiratory ), acid ( stomach)
2 types of Chemical action
- Complement 2. Interferon
What is a Complement
A group of proteins that become activated when in contact with a foreign substAnce
- work like clotting mechanism
What does a complement do
- makes foreign body easier to recognize and find in order for macrophage to destroy it
- attaches to cell and till poke a hole and lyse cell or act ad a flag for phagocytes to colonize and destroy
What is the final stage for a complement
Phagocytosis or inflammation or bacterial rupture
What is interferon
Chemical produced by a cell that is infected by a virus
What does Interferon do
Infected cells produce interferon and diffuse it to neighbouring cells to warn them that they are infected with a virus
- cells with produce a protein that will protect them from the virus overtaking the cells
- these cells will produce more interferon
- cells will reinforce their nuclear membrane and cell
Interferon can be used in what treatment
Prevent spreading in viral cancers
- used as a type of chemo
Interferon won’t protect
Cells that are already infected with the virus but it will prevent u infected cells from being overtaken by the virus
What is phagocytosis
Action of neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes and macrophages as they ingest foreign substances
- solid materials
What is pinocytosis
Investor of fluid to destroy it
Ex mosquito saliva or snake venom
What are the two types of inflammation
- Localized
3. Systemic
What is localization
Redness, warmth and swelling exhibited in a specific part of the body
- usually helpful as it tried to inhibit foreign particles at source and localize damage and will also activate the response of phagocytosis
What is systemic inflammation
Causes increase in temperature (fever) to speed up metabolism in body to negatively affect pathogens metabolism
- also causes bone marrow to increase white blood cell production
- more neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes produced
What might systemic inflammation cause that could be life threatening
May cause blood vessels to dilate and cause a drop in blood pressure and induce shock like symptoms
- required medical help
- widespread ex. Anaphylaxis or septicaemia
Histomine
Chemical responsible for inflammation
Produced by basophils
Vasodilation
Brings more blood to effected area
Takes away toxins
Creates the warmth
Specific immunity
Immunity that is specific to the foreign substances and involves the body developing immune memory if pathogen invades a second time
What are the two types of specific immunity
- Inherited or inborn immunity
2. A quid immunity
Inherited or inborn immunity
Immunity that we are born with even though we have nebr been introduced to it
Immunity to the diseases of other species
Ex distemper
What daw the four types of Acquired immunity
Active natural
Passive natural
Active artificial
Passive artificial
Active immunity
You produce the antibodies
Gives you memory and long term immunity
Passive immunity
Someone else makes the antibodies and gives the, to you
No memory and short term immunity
Natural immunity
Exposure through day to day life or actions
Artificial immunity
Exposure by unnatural means
Ex. Injections, nasal spray
Active natural immunity
Immunity develops when a person is exposed to a disease, contracts the disease and recovers from it
- exposed through daily living
- long term immunity and memory
Ex. Get cold, recover, never get the same cold again
Passive natural immunity
Immunity occurs when. Other lasses her immunity or antibodies to fetus across the placenta or to a newborn through breast milk
- short term and no memory
Active artificial immunity
Immunity develops when exposed to specially prepared antigen is introduced to the system deliberately to provoke the immune response
Ex. Vaccinations Long term immunity and memory
Passive artificial immunity
Immunity occurs when antibodies developed in another person or species are injected to a person who has been exposed to a disease or a person or species exposed to a toxin or disease
- aka antibodies produced in lab
- ex immunoglobulin injection for rabies or anti venoms
Short term. No memory
Hypersensitivity
An inappropriate and excessive immune response
3 types of hypersensitivity responses
Allergy
Autoimmunity
Isoimmunity
Allergy
An inappropriate response to harmless environmental agents After sensitization antibodies igG react and release histamine which brings on itching eyes and runny nose
Excessive immune response to allergy causes
Restriction of airways, dialated blood vessels and irregular heart rhythms aka anaphylactic shock
Can cause cellular response - contact dermatitis
Autoimmunity
Inappropriate response to antigens that are part of ones self
Results in autoimmune disorders
Immune systems attacks cells and tissue to destroy them which causes the symptoms
Ex. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythrmstosis
Isoimmunity
An excess response to antigens fro, a different individual of the same species
Ex. Erythroblastosis fetalisis, skin graphs, organ transplant
Two ways to prevent isoimmunity
- Immunosuppressants such as cytoporine that inhibits b+t cell production
- Tissue typing
Immune system deficiency
The disruption of lymphocyte function results in failure of immune system to defend against antigens
Main characteristics of immune system deficiency
Development of unusual reoccurring infections and or cancer
Two types of Immune system deficiency
- Congenital immune deficiency
2. Acquired immune deficiency
Congenital immune deficiency
Rare improper lymphocyte development before birth due to a genetic defect in effecting b or T cell lymphocytes or both
Occurs in improper development of stem or precursor cells in bone marrow or lymphatic system
Treatment for congenital immune deficiency
Injection of prepared antibodies called gamma globulins (igG) or bone marrow transplants
Acquired immune deficiency
Develops after birth and is not replaced to a genetic defect
May be caused by nutritional deficiency, immunosuppressant therapy , trauma, viral infection, lack of sleep, age, lifestyle
Ex. AIDS HIV
Autoimmune disease
When our body mistakes our own cells as being foreign and develops an immune response
Where are t lymphocytes produced
In the thymus gland
They enter the blood stream and go to lymphoid tissue
What are t lymphocytes responsible for
Cell mediated immunity (t cells dictate attacking an invading antigen)
What are the four types of T cells ?
- Killer T cells, cyptoxic cells, NK (natural killer cells)
- Helper T cells
- Suppressor Cells
- memory T cells
Killer T cells
Directly destroy antigen
Helper T cells
Stimulate production of more T and B lymphocytes
Suppressor T cells
Decrease immune response of lymphocytes when antigen has been destroyed and invasion is under control
Memory T cells
Develop memory to start immune spouse if that antigen is detected again
Where are b lymphocytes produced ?
In the bone marrow
Where are b lymphocytes stored?
In the liver marrow and spleen
What are the two types of B cells?
- Plasma cells
2. Memory cells
What do plasma B cells do ?
Produce antibodies
What to memory B cells do?
Develop memory of antigen and start immune response if antigen is contacted again
What do B lymphocytes do?
Responsible for antibiotic mediated immunity
B cells are stimulated into action by ..?
Helper T cells
What are antibodies ?
Specialized proteins that have a binding site for matching to a specific antigen
Where are antibodies found?
Circulating freely I’m Blood and lymph fluid
Can travel to site of infection to help inactivate invading antigens binding to them
Antibodies are considered to be _____ response.
Primary
3 ways the binding of an antibody to an antigen can change it to a harmless protein
- Neutralization
- Agglutination
- Complement binding
What is neutralization ?
When antibodies attach to the antigen they interfere with the toxins chemical mechanisms and neutralization their effect
Agglutination
When the antibodies attach to the antigen sites they may cause the antigen to clump together or agglutinate making them more easily phagocytized and destroyed in large numbers
Complement binding
Activates a complement cascade which results in proteins boring holes in the antigen so sodium and water can enter cell and cause it to rupture due to osmotic pressure
What type of protein are antibodies made of ?
Globulins
Or immunoglobulins because they deal with immunity
What are the five classss of immunoglobulins?
- IgG
- IgA
- IgM
- IgE
- IgD
IgG
Found In plasma Most abundant Smallest - can cross placenta Passive natural immunity Responsible for erythroblastosis fetalais and Rh- reactions
IgA
Found in mucous membrane secretions
Ex. Salk is, mucous, tears, breast milk, ear wax
Protect the membrane
IgM
Found on b lymphocytes Largest Work through agglutination Cause ABO transfusion reactions 5 binding sites
IgE
Found on b lymphocytes in tonsils and under mucous membrane of respiratory tract
Trigger basophils and mast cells to release histomines = allergies / asthma
IgD
Found on b lymphocytes
Trigger activation and production of more lymphocytes
Agglutination test
Sample of serum, urine or joint fluid containing antigen or antibody is mixed with test reagent containing particles (latex) covered with antigen or antibody
+= clumping
- = no clumping
Ex. ABO blood typing
Precipitation test
Some in tube with fluid antigen and body fluid
If Ag and Ab match it will produce a cloudy precipitation band or ring (fluid and antigen layered in tube )
Also done as electrophoresis
Flocculation test
+ antigen and antibodies complex will form flakes in tube
Fluorescent antibody testing
Antigen and antibody complex plus a dye will create a flouresent glow under a uv microscope
Uses serial dilutions of serum
Ex ANA or syphilis
ELISA enzyme linked immune sorbet assay
Used for confirmation and specific typing of HIV
Always automated
Uses an enzyme, substrate and a dye
+ antibody and antigen will change colour
- will not change colour ex. Pregnancy pee sticks
Pregnancy testing
Looking for HCG hormone ( human chorionic gonadotropin)
3 tests for pregnancy
- Chromatographic
- ELISA HCG
- Latex Agglutination HCG
Chromatographic for pregnancy
Colour change
Urine sample
Qualitative
Looking for antigen
Latex agglutination for pregnancy
Urine sample Clumping - + No clumping - - Qualitative Looking for antigen
ELISA HCG for pregnancy
Uses serum
Shows gestation, multiples, placental abnormalities
Quantitive
Looking for antigen
Heterophile antibody
Antibodies produced when infected with Epstein Barr virus
Uses horse or sheep blood
Latex agglutination for heterophile antibody
Latex coated with Epstein Barr virus (antigen)
Clumping = + for mono
Qualitative
Serum sample
Mono spot for heterophile antibody
Uses serum with horse red blood cells for antigen
+ if clumping
Qualitative
Paul-bunnell test for heterophile antibody
Uses serum and sheep RBC ( serially diluted )
Quantative
+ if clumping
Helps determine what stage in the course of infection the patient is in
ASOT anti streptolysin o titre
Used to diagnose post streptococcal disorders
Ie. scarlet ver, rheumatic fever (heart and liver damage) and glomerlonepheritis (kidney damage)
Looking at level of antibody against toxin streptolysin o
Quantitive
Can determine if treatment is working
Syphilis - three tests
- Fluorescent antibody
- VDRL
- ELISA
Fluorescent antibody for syphilis
Looking for antigen
Swab from chancre (fluid)
Shows end stage of syphilis and presence of bacteria treponema pallidum
VDRL for syphilis
Latex agglutination
Tests serum for presence of antibodies to syphilis bacteria
Qualitative
ELISA for syphilis
Quantitive
Testing for antibody level
Serum sample
Rheumatoid factor / rheumatoid antibody (RF or RA)
Looking for autoimmune antibodies Not specific to rheumatoid arthritis Latex agglutination Serum sample Used as screening tests in conjunction with ANA, CRP or ESR Qualitative
Rubella - German measles
Tests for level of antibody in serum Most often used in prenatal care to determine if mom at risk for congenital defects if exposed (if she is immune) Done with ELISA method Serum sample Qualitative
ANA anti-nuclear antibody
Used to determine levels and type of autoimmune antibody present
Use serial dilutions of serum and fluorescent antibody
Quantitive
Ratio- level of antibodies and fluorescence
Pattern - type of autoimmune disorder
Diagnose and determine if treatment effective (levels will decrease)
Three primary functions of the lymphatic system
- Return excess interstitial fluid from tissues back to blood stream
- Absorption of fats and fat solvable vitamins from digestive and transport to Venus circulation
- Defence against disease and microorganisms
Right upper quadrant lymph drainage
- Lymph vessel drains into right lymphatic duct
- Right lymphatic duct drains into right subclavian vein
- right subclavian vein drains into superior vena cava
- Right atrium
Right upper quadrant is what % of lymph
25%
Left upper quadrant lymph drainage
- Lymph vessels drain into thoracic duct
- Thoracic duct drains into left subclavian vein
- Drains into superior vena cava
Left upper quadrant is what % lymph
75%
Right and left lower quad rents of lymph drainage
- Lymph vessels drain into cisterna chyli
2. From thoracic duct to Left subclavian vein and then superior vena cavity
What does cisterna chyli control ?
How quickly lymph drains into thoracic
Edema
Due to thoracic ducts being too full or clogged
Where is the thymus ?
Retrosternal in thoracic cavity
What is in thymus
Connective tissue
Macrophages for protection
T lymphocytes
What does thymus do
T lymphocyte production
When in thymus most active
Childhood to puberty
What happens to thymus after puberty
Slows down and degrades into fat fibrous tissue
Where are major collections of lymph nodes ?
Cervical Axillary Enteric Inguinal Popliteal
What is in a lymph node ?
Afferent vessels (more) Efferent vessels (less) Nodules - lymphocytes and macrophages
What do lymph nodes do
Macrophages ingest foreign material
Lymphocytes destroy with antibodies or toxins
Not great at killing cancer cells
Filter lymph
Where is the spleen located
Left hypochondriac region lateral to stomach
What is spleen made of ?
White pulp- macrophages and lymphocytes
Red pulp- red blood cells and white blood cells
What does spleen do ?
Filters blood from wastes and toxins
Destroys dead dying abnormal or foreign cells
How many sets of tonsils ?
- Pharyngeal
- Palatine
- Lingual
Where is pharyngeal tonsil ?
Posterior pharynx
Adenoids if inflamed
Where are palatine tonsils?
Lateral walls of soft pallet
Where are linguist tonsils ?
Posterior surface if the tongue
What are in tonsils ?
Lymphocytes and monocytes get in clusters under mucous membrane
What do tonsils do?
Filter inhaled and ingested materials
Where is red bone marrow ?
In the spaces of spongy cancellous bone
What is in red bone marrow ?
All immature blood cells
What does red bone marrow do ?
Hematopoiesis
Produces b lymphocytes
