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Immunology and Haematology > Immune system > Flashcards

Immune system Flashcards

1
Q

What are the two primary functions of the immune system?

A
  1. Immune response against pathogens

2. Recognition and elimination of transformed cells

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2
Q

How can the immune system be classified (into two main areas)?

A

Innate and adaptive

Within both innate and adaptive there is also cellular and humeral

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3
Q

Describe the innate immune system

A

Cellular; NK cells, neutrophils, dendritic cells, mast cells, eosinophils and macrophages

Humoral; complement, mannose binding lectin, LPD binding protein, CRP

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4
Q

Describe the adaptive immune system

A

Cellular; T cells, B cells

Humoral; antibodies

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5
Q

What are mechanisms of the innate immune system?

A

Phagocytosis
Complement (cascade)
Inflammation
NK cells

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6
Q

What are the stages of the adaptive immune response?

A
  • antigen recognition (APC)
  • lymphocyte activation (clonal expansion)
  • antigen elimination (humoral + cell mediated)
  • contraction (apoptosis)
  • memory (surviving memory cells)
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7
Q

Where are T cells produced?

A

Thymus

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8
Q

Describe MCH Class I

A

Part of T cell; recognised by CD8

Proteins made by our body degraded and presented

If cancer or virus this will change and they recognise these changes

T cells with MCH Class I are CYTOTOXIC

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9
Q

Describe MHC Class II

A

Part of T cell; recognised by CD4

Presentation of degraded bacterial antigens

These are the T Helper cells; present antigens and facilitate apoptosis

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10
Q

Where are B cells produced?

A

bone marrow

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11
Q

Describe B cell activation

A

Occurs in lymph nodes, requires T cells presenting an antigen

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12
Q

Which antibody is produced first in response to infection?

A

IgM

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13
Q

What antibody mediates the long-term response of the immune system to infection?

A

IgG

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14
Q

What does IgE mediate?

A

Allergies via mast cell activation

Also involved in fighting parasites

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15
Q

Where is IgA?

A

Mucosal surfaces

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16
Q

Which antibody is most prevalent?

A

Overall IgA, in blood IgG

17
Q

What are the functions of antibodies?

A
  • neutralisation of antigens
  • opsonisation of antigens; facilitates phagocytosis
  • activates complement system
18
Q

What are innate immune cells?

A

Mast cell
NKC
Basophil, neutrophil, eosinophil, monocyte
Mast cell, macrophage, dendritic cell

19
Q

What do dendritic cells do?

A

Present antigen via MHCII

Sentinel for immune system

Activates adaptive immune system

Internalises pathogen and processes it into peptides which it presents (antigens)

Naive T cells are activated

20
Q

Where do lymphocytes mature?

A

T cells; bone marrow then thymus

B cells; bone marrow

B and T cells then migrate to secondary lymphoid organs

21
Q

Describe cytokines and their functions

A
  • large and heterogeneous soluble proteins
  • communication system; locally or at distance
  • regulate and co-ordinate cells of innate and adaptive immunity
  • produced during normal haematopoeisis
  • produced in response to microbes, tissue damage or other antigens
  • produced by many cell types esp macrophages and T helper cells
22
Q

How do cytotoxic t cells kill cells?

A

Induce apoptosis in target cell

They induce the actions of phagocytic clearance

23
Q

Describe function of NK cells

A

Important against intracellular pathogens

May respond via their activating receptors to activating ligands on infected cells

Can kill infected cells

Produce IFN-g which will help stimulate macrophages, TH1 cells, CD8+ cytotoxic T cells

24
Q

How do NK cells induce apoptosis?

A

Release perforin which creates pore in membrane

Granzyme from NKC then enters cell and triggers apoptosis

25
Q

How are antibodies bi-functional?

A

Fab portion (fragment antibody binding) binds to a specific antigen

Fc portion interacts with different cells of immune system or complement

26
Q

When are antibodies produced?

A

IgM produced as fetus
IgG not until birth
IgA not until 1-2months after birth

Breast milk contains IgA

27
Q

Describe antibody mediated immunity

A

First encounter pathogen; no antibodies while B cells differentiate into plasma cells. Then low vol IgM produced and small amounts IgG. Memory B cells also

Encounter again; accelerated response, quick B cell proliferation to plasma cells - fast release specific IgG ABs and low vol IgM.

28
Q

Describe immunologic tolerance

A

unresponsiveness to an antigen induced by previous exposure to that antigen

29
Q

What are antigens that induce tolerance called?

A

tolerogens

30
Q

What are some mechanisms of peripheral tolerance?

A

Anergy (functional unresponsiveness)

Antigen recognition without co-stimulation

T-reg suppression

Deletion (cell death)

Some self-antigens are sequestered from immune system by anatomic barriers

31
Q

When does autoimmune disease occur?

A

When auto-reactive T cells or autoantibodies cause tissue damage through hypersensitivity reaction types II, III and IV

32
Q

What is AIRE?

A

transcription factor expressed mainly by medullary epithelial cells in thymus

“autoimmune regulator”

Immunology and Haematology (10 decks)

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