Immunity Flashcards
What is the innate immune system?
skin, saliva, mucus, complement proteins, anti-microbial proteins
Main cell types of innate immunity?
granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils), macrophages (phagocytes) and dendritic cells.
Which cells detect pathogens?
Pattern recognition receptors (PRR)
What is the adaptive immune response?
specific detection of pathogens: antigen receptors
Main cell types of adaptive immunity?
B-lymphocytes (B cells) & T-lymphocytes (T cells)
What are compliment proteins
family of proteins that circulate in the blood in inactive forms. they can get triggered and start a cascade pathway that kills pathogens.
What are the 3 compliment protein pathways?
- Classical: antigen:antibody complexes (C1 complex, C2 C3 C4 is antibody dependednt)
- Lectin: lectin binds to pathogen surfaces
- Alternative pathway: pathogen surfaces directly
All pathways lead to complement activation and then killing of pathogens / opsonization of pathogens / recruitment of inflammatory and immunocompetent cells.
What can T cells develop into?
CD4 & CD8
What is antigen presentation?
an immune response essential for t-cell immune response triggering.
Where are self antigens presented?
loaded into MHC class I molecules and presented to CD8 T-lymphocytes
Where are non-self antigens presented?
loaded into MHC class II molecules and presented to CD4 T-lymphocytes
5 main antibody classes
- IgM: First antibody to appear on the surface of B- lymphocytes, and first antibody to be secreted
- IgG: Most abundant class in the blood
- IgA: Main antibody secreted by mucosal lymphoid tissues (produced and secreted in saliva mucosa
- IgE: Defence against parasite infection, allergic response
- IgD: Found on the surface of mature B-lymphocytes
What are cytokines?
Small proteins that are released by cells to mediate intercellular communication
Chemokines
A subclass of cytokines that are released by cells to stimulate the recruitment (and activation) of other cells
