Immunology Flashcards
How can pathogens enter the body?
Eyes, mouth, nose, urogenital tract, rectum and damaged skin
Immune system definition?
The collection of organs, tissues, cells and cell products whose role it is to differentiate self from non-self
Four key processes of the immune system?
Prevention
Recognition
Elimination
Memory
What are the three lines of defence?
Barriers
Innate
Adaptive
How does the skin provide a barrier to pathogens?
The tough outer layer of cells that produce keratin
The oleic acid on the skin can kill some bacteria
The skin (also tears and saliva) can secrete lysozymes to break down the outer wall of some bacteria
How do mucosal membranes provide a barrier to pathogens?
Secrete mucus to trap small particles and pathogens
Some have cilia to sweep mucus and particles out
How long does the innate immune system take to respond?
Around 12 hours
What activates the innate immune system?
Cells recognising common generic components of pathogens
What is the distinguishing feature of the innate immune system?
Inflammation
What are pattern recognition receptors?
They bind to pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs)
An example of a pattern recognition receptor?
Toll-like receptors
What happens when a DAMP/PAMP binds to a toll-like receptor?
The receptor activates a cascade signalling pathway resulting in recruitment of other immune cells and inflammatory pathways
How many types of toll-like receptors are in humans?
10
Toll-like receptor structure?
An extracellular domain which is involved in recognition of microbial products
An another domain in the cytoplasm that recruits the different signalling molecules that activate the transcription of genes involved in inflammation and antimicrobial defences
What do toll-like receptors 1, 2, 4 and 6 recognise?
Bacterial lipids
What do toll-like receptors 3, 7 and 8 recognise?
Viral RNA
What does toll-like receptor 9 recognise?
Bacterial DNA
What do toll-like receptors 5 and 10 recognise?
Bacterial or parasitic proteins
Cells involved in the innate immune system?
Mast cells
Dendritic cells
Macrophages
Natural killer cells
Complement proteins
Basophils
Eosinophils
Neutrophils
What is usually the first cell on the site of infection?
Macrophage
What are granulocytes?
Phagocytic cells with granules inside
Types of granulocytes?
Neutrophils
Eosinophils
Basophils
Natural killer cells
What is the most common type of granulocyte?
Neutrophils
What does the nucleus of a neutrophil look like?
Multilobed
What recruits neutrophils to sites of infection?
Activated macrophages
Peptide fragments of cleaved complement proteins
Some PAMPs
How are macrophages different to neutrophils?
Much larger
No granules
Longer lived
Can ingest larger microbes such as protozoa
What does the nucleus of an eosinophil look like?
Bi-lobed
How do eosinophils work?
In groups
What can granulocytes bind to?
Toll-like receptors
Receptors for antibodies produced by the adaptive immune system
Receptors for complement proteins
How do granulocytes engulf their targets?
1) binding to any ligand activates the granulocyte, increasing its killing power
2) this also causes a release of cytokines to attract more white blood cells
3) actin polymerisation induced at the site
4) granulocytes plasma membrane surrounds the pathogen to engulf it in a large membrane called a phagosome
What do the granules in granulocytes do?
Fuse with phagosome membrane and release contents (lysozyme and hydrolases) to digest the pathogens cell wall
Granules also contain defensins that destabilise pathogen membranes
NADPH oxidase complexes form on the phago-lysosomal membrane. A respiratory burst (transient increase in oxygen consumption) by the phagocyte allows the NADPH oxidase complexes to produce toxic oxygen-derived compounds such as superoxide (02-), hypochlorite (HOCL) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to damage the pathogen
Do neutrophils and macrophages survive the chemical and enzymatic processes of engulfing pathogens?
Macrophages do
Neutrophils usually do not
What can neutrophils do as a last resort to kill a pathogen?
Eject its DNA in a sticky web that can trap pathogens to stop them from escaping
What causes pus?
Dead neutrophils and deal pathogens
Why can pus sometimes be green or yellow?
A release of copper-containing compounds and myeloperoxidase from the dead neutrophils
What can down-regulate the expression of immune system recognition molecules on the surface of cells?
Viruses and cancer
So cells with low expression are likely to be infected or transformed
How do natural killer cells recognise their targets?
By the low expression of immune system recognition receptors on the surface of a cell
How do natural killer cells destroy their targets?
By persuading them to undergo apoptosis
Phagocytes destroy apoptotic bodies that are left behind
What are the four symptoms of inflammation?
Dolor (pain)
Rubor (redness)
Calor (heat)
Turgor (swelling)
How does inflammation occur?
1) macrophage recognises and engulfs a pathogen
2) cytokines are released
3) cytokines allow vasodilation
4) this allows recruited immune cells to exit blood vessels into tissue so they can target invading pathogens
5) blood clotting occurs at microvessels to stop bacteria from entering the bloodstream
Where are mast cells found?
In particular mucosal tissue, not circulating
What do mast cell granules contain?
Histamine
Heparin
Leukotrienes
Other mediators
What receptor do mast cells express?
FcϵR
How do mast cells release mediators?
1) An antibody is bound to the mast cell receptor
2) when the antigen binds to the antibody, lysozymes fuse with the cell wall to break it down
3) the mediators are released
What are the two subdivisions of the adaptive immune system?
Humoral
Cell-mediated
How long does it take the adaptive immune system to respond?
~ 24 hours
Cells involved in the adaptive immune system?
T-cells
B-cells
Antigen-presenting cells
Cells involved in the humoral immune response?
B-cells and the antibodies they produce
Structure of an antibody?
Tetrameric with four polypeptide chains
Two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains are held together by covalent disulfide bonds at the hinges between the heavy and light chains
What do the heavy chains of the antibody bind to?
B-cells to trigger a reaction
What do the light chains of an antibody bind to?
The antigen that is specific to that antibody
Where are B-cells matured?
Bone marrow
What can mature B-cells differentiate into when they are activated?
Memory B-cells
Plasma/effector B-cells
What do memory B-cells do?
Look for pathogens
What do effector B-cells do?
Produce antibodies
How to resting B-cells differentiate into effector B-cells?
When their membrane-bound receptor binds to the antigen
This causes a massive increase in the endoplasmic reticulum allowing secretion of ~ 5000 antibodies per second
What is another word for antibodies?
Immunoglobulins
How many classes of antibodies are in humans?
Five
IgG structure?
Monomer
IgG location?
Free in the blood plasma
What percentage of circulating immunoglobulins are IgGs?
80%
The function of IgGs?
Most abundant antibody in primary and secondary immune response
Can cross the placenta to provide passive immunisation to the foetus
Structure of IgM?
Pentamer
Location of IgMs?
The surface of the B-cell
Free in blood plasma
The function of IgMs?
Antigen receptor on the B-cell membrane The first class of antibodies released by B-cells during the primary response
IgD structure?
Monomer
Location of IgDs?
Surface of the B-cell
The function of IgDs?
The cell surface receptor of mature B-cells
Important in B-cell activation
Structure of IgA?
Dimer
Location of IgAs?
Saliva, tears, milk and other body sections
The function of IgAs?
Protect mucosal surfaces
Prevent attachment of pathogens to epithelial cells
Colostrum
Structure of IgE?
Monomer
Location of IgEs?
Secretion by plasma cells in skin and tissues lining the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts
The function of IgEs?
When bound to antigens, it binds to mast cells and basophils. This triggers the release of histamine that contributes to inflammation and some allergic responses
What is agglutination?
The clumping together of pathogens in the presence of antibodies that bind them together
Particularly IgMs
Why is agglutination important in medical terms?
Blood transfusions
If the recipient has antibodies to the type of blood received, this can cause agglutination and death
What blood can an O recipient receive?
O
What blood can an A recipient receive?
A
O
What blood can a B recipient receive?
B
O
What blood can an AB recipient receive?
Any
Who can receive rhesus negative blood?
Anyone
Who can receive rhesus positive blood?
Only those who are rhesus positive
Where do T-cells develop?
In the thymus from thymocytes
Haemopoietic stem cells in bone marrow –> common lymphoid progenitor cells –> thymocytes –> T-cells
Structure of a T-cell receptor?
Two light chains called alfa and beta have a constant portion and a variable portion. At the bottom, there are two anchor points bound by a disulfide bond which go into the T-cell membrane
What are major histocompatibility complexes?
On the surface of cells
Involved in interacting with T-cells and activating immune response
What are the types of major histocompatibility complexes?
Type 1 and type 2
Where are class 2 major histocompatibility complexes found?
Only on classic antigen-presenting cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells and B-cells
Where are class 1 major histocompatibility complexes found?
All nucleated cells of the body but in different levels
What major histocompatibility complex would present a cytosolic pathogen to the surface?
Class 1
What major histocompatibility complex would present a intravascular pathogen to the surface?
Class 2
What major histocompatibility complex would present an extracellular pathogen/toxin to the surface?
Class 2
What type of T-cell do class one major histocompatibility complexes present to?
Effector CD8 T-cells
What type of T-cell do class two major histocompatibility complexes present to?
Effector CD4 T-cells
What are the three types of T-cell?
Treg CD4 (regulatory) Th CD4 (helper) Tc CD8 (cytotoxic)
What do T-helper cells do?
Activate macrophages, dendritic cells and B-cells. Maintain cytotoxic T-cell activity by secreting a variety of cytokines
What do T-regulatory cells do?
They inhibit the function of T-helper cells, cytotoxic T-cells and dendritic cells
What do cytotoxic T-cells do?
They kill the infected host by persuading them to undergo apoptosis
What is inflammatory disease?
Chronic inflammation- persistent inflammatory status
What can cause inflammatory disease?
Pathogens
Tumours
Autoimmunity
Atherosclerosis
Heart disease
Obesity
Any kind of tissue damage
What are the two types of inflammatory bowel disease?
Ulcerative colitis
Crohn’s disease
What causes inflammatory bowel disease?
Immune reaction to commensal bacteria of the gut (self microbiota)
How does Crohn’s disease occur?
Typically Phagocytic cells in the gut are looking for harmful bacteria to get rid of
In Crohn’s disease, the phagocytes take helpful bacteria and introduce them to the macrophage
Cytokines and chemokines are the produced
Cytokines/chemokines typically involved in Crohn’s disease?
IL12
IL6
EGF beta
IL beta
IL 23
What type of T-cells are produced by cytokines/chemokines in Crohn’s disease?
T-helper 1 and 17 cells rather than regulatory T-cells
What do T-helper 1 cells produce? (Crohn’s)
Chemokines- to recruit macrophages
IFN gamma- which induces expression of vascular adhesion molecules. Activates macrophages which increase the release of inflammatory mediators
TNF alfa and LT- causes local tissue damage. Increase expression of adhesion molecules on local blood vessels
IL-3/GM-CSF- stimulated monocyte production by bone marrow stem cells
What causes coeliac disease?
Gluten is made up of a protein called gliadin
Gliadin is attached by tissue transglutaminase to deamidate it
This triggers the body to react and antibodies to bind
This complex is then shown on the antigen-presenting cell
This activates the T-cell which releases IFN gamma which causes inflammation and damage to epithelial cells in gastrointestinal tract
IFN gamma also activates B-cells to produce IgA to anti-gliadin, anti-endomysium and anti-tTg
T-cells will activate natural killer cells which again damage epithelial cells
Leading to flattening of the gastrointestinal tract, which leads to decreased absorption
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Chronic inflammation of the joints
Can affect haematologic, cardiovascular and respiratory systems
What is the Fc region of an antibody?
The bottom of the Y-shape section that binds on to the receptor cell that activates a response if the antibody is activated
What causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Antibodies are produced which react to the Fc region of IgG
IgM-IgG complexes are created
This causes massive agglutination
These agglutinated complexes are deposited in the joints
When these complexes build-up, the complement cascade is activated, which when leads to a type 3 sensitivity reaction
What is hypersensitivity?
Adaptive responses generated against harmless pathogens
What does autoimmune mean?
Where the immune system attacks the host. Can have genetic and environmental factors
How many majn types of allergic reactions are there?
4
What is a type-I allergic reaction?
IgE binds to a soluble antigen This triggers mast cell activation Histamines are released
Examples of type-I allergic reactions?
Allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, atopic eczema, anaphylaxis, some drug allergies
What is a type-II allergic reaction?
IgG can trigger two different pathways: 1) IgG can bind to a cell or matrix associated antigen, leading to activation of complement and receptor cells, phagocytes and NK cells. (causes some drug allergies such as penicillin) 2) IgG binds to a cell surface receptor altering the signalling from the cell. (can cause chronic urticaria)
What is a type-III allergic reaction?
IgG binds to a soluble antigen Activates complement and phagocytes IgG-antigen complex is formed within a blood vessel compartment This can lead to cell lysis and other cells are attracted into the blood vessel
Examples of a type-III allergic reaction?
Serum sickness Arthus reaction
What is a type-IV allergic reaction?
Three ways: 1) Th1 cell binds to soluble antigen leading to macrophage activation and cytokine release (such as contact dermatitis or tuberculin reaction) 2) Th2 cell binds to soluble antigen leading to IgE production, eosinophils activation and mastocytosis. Causing inflammatory mediator release (such as chronic asthma or chronic allergic rhinitis) 3) Tc cell binds to cell-associated antigen leading to cytotoxicity leading to apoptosis of cells. (such as graft rejection)
What is atopy?
A predisposition to developing allergies. It can be both environmental and genetic factors
What is the major normal role of IgE?
Clearing worm infections
Environmental factors that affect allergy?
Changes in exposure to animals or soil microorganisms Changes in intestinal microbiota Reduced childhood exposure to pathogens
If mast cells degranulate in the blood, what symptoms could occur?
Anaphylaxis
If mast cells degranulate in the skin, what symptoms could occur?
Acute urticaria
If mast cells degranulate in the eye/nose, what symptoms could occur?
Seasonal rhinoconjunctivitis (hay fever)
If mast cells degranulate in the mucosal lining of the airways, what symptoms could occur?
Asthma
Genetic factors of allergy?
Some people are more prone to IgE production rather than IgG production
Properties of an airborne allergens that often cause allergies?
Proteins Low doses Low molecular weight Highly soluble Stable Contain peptides that bind to MHC II
How does mast cell activation affect gastrointestinal tract tissue?
Increased fluid secretion Increases peristalsis caused by inflammation
How does mast cell activation affect eye/nasal/airway tissue?
Decreased diameter due to inflammation Increased mucus secretion
How does mast cell activation affect blood vesell tissue?
Increased blood flow Increased permeability Increased fluid in tissues to increased flow of lymph to lymph nodes Increased cells and protein in tissues Increases effector response in tissues This can all lead to hypotension then anaphylaxis shock
Risk factors for food allergies?
Immature mucosal immune system Early introduction of solid foods Hereditary increase in mucosal permeability IgA deficiency Genetically determined bias towards TH2 environment GI infections Polymorphisms of Th2 cytokine or IgE receptor genes
How can targeting mediator action treat allergic reactions?
Inhibit the effect of the mediators on specific receptors Inhibit the synthesis of particular mediators Such as antihistamines, beta-blockers and lipoxygenase inhibitors (montelukast)
How can targeting chronic targeting sites of inflammation treat allergic reactions?
General anti-inflammatory effect Such as corticosteroids
How can targeting the Th2 response treat allergic reactions?
Introduction of regulator T cells to build up exposure and tolerability
How can targeting IgE treat allergic reactions?
A drug can bind to the IgE Fc region to prevent IgE binding to the Fc region on mast cells Omalizumab
What is autoimmunity?
The breaking of self-tolerance
How is self-tolerance achieved?
Usually, antigen-specific receptors generated at random by recombination are screened for self-reactivity and any that react receive a negative signal leading to inactivation or death. Cells have lots and lots of antigens, so lymphocytes become tolerant
Pathoimmunology of psoriasis?
Autoreactive T cells against skin associated antigens
Pathoimmunology of rheumatoid arthritis?
Autoreactive T cells against antigens of joint synovium
Pathoimmunology of Graves’ diseases?
Autoantibodies against the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor
Pathoimmunology of Hashimoto’s disease?
Autoantibodies and autoreactive T cells against thyroid antigens
Pathoimmunology of systemic lupus erythematosus?
Autoantibodies and autoreactive T cells against DNA, chromatin proteins, and ubiquitous ribonucleoprotein antigens
Pathoimmunology of Sjogren’s syndrome?
Autoantibodies and autoreactive T cells against ribonucleoprotein antigens
Pathoimmunology of Crohn’s disease?
Autoreactive T cells against intestinal flora antigens
Pathoimmunology of multiple sclerosis?
Autoreactive T cells against brain antigens
Pathoimmunology of type 1 Diabetes Mellitus?
Autoreactive T cells against pancreatic islet cell antigens
Examples of organ-specific autoimmune disease?
Type 1 diabetes mellitus Multiple sclerosis Crohn’s disease Psoriasis Graves’ disease Myasthenia Gravis
Examples of systemic autoimmune disease?
Rheumatoid arthritis Scleroderma Polymyositis Systemic lupus erythematosus
How can infection break self-tolerance?
Cell/tissue destruction: release of sequestered self-antigen causes activation of non-tolerised cells (sympathetic ophthalmia) Molecular mimicry: if bacterial/viral cell structures have similar protein structures to self-cells, it can cause the production of cross-reactive antibodies or T cells (rheumatic fever, Lyme arthritis)
Where are sequestered antigens hidden in the body?
Brain Testes Eyes Uterus (so the fetus isn’t attacked)
What happens if sequestered antigens are released? (eye example)
Trauma to the eye results in the release of sequestered intraocular antigens These antigens are carried to lymph nodes and activate T cells Effector T cells return via the bloodstream and encounter the antigens in both eyes Leading to autoimmune disease in both eyes
Why is there not a type-I autoimmune response?
IgE is not involved in autoimmunity, only allergy
What is a type-II (cell surface/matrix antigen) autoimmune response?
The antibody binds to an antigen on self-cell Leading to cellular destruction via the membrane attack complex
What is a type-II (receptor) autoimmune response?
The antibody binds to cell surface receptor This either prevents endogenous ligand from binding or mimics the effect of the ligand, sending cell signalling into overdrive
Examples of type-II (cell surface/matrix antigen) autoimmune diseases?
Autoimmune hemolytic anaemia Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura Goodpasture’s syndrome Pemphigus Vulgaris Acute rheumatic fever
Examples of type-II (receptor) autoimmune diseases?
Graves’ disease Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Myasthenia gravis Chronic urticaria
What is graves’ disease?
Autoimmune B cells make antibodies against TSH receptors that also stimulate thyroid hormone production Thyroid hormones bind to the pituitary gland to shut down TSH production but do not affect autoantibody production, which causes excessive thyroid hormone
What is Myasthenia Gravis?
Antibodies bind to acetylcholine receptors which are then internalised and degraded So there are fewer receptors to measure the influx of sodium, and also, the antibodies binding can antagonise sodium being able to bind to and remaining receptors So there is no muscle contraction
What is a type-III autoimmune response?
Antibodies bind to soluble antigens forming a circulating immune complex The complex is often deposited in vessel walls of joints and kidneys This initiates a local inflammatory response
Examples of type-III autoimmune diseases?
Rheumatoid arthritis Mixed essential cryoglobulinemia
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
B cells are responsible for an autoantibody called rheumatoid factor Large immune complexes form, which are then phagocytosed by APC’s and augment the inflammatory response They secrete TNFa and IL-6, which amplify the ongoing immune response
What is a type-IV autoimmune response?
CD4+ helper T cells recognise antigen in complex with MHC II The APC’s are macrophages that stimulate proliferation of further CD4+ helper T cells CD4+ helper T cells release other Th cytokines mediating the response Activated CD8+ T cells destroy target cells on contact
Examples of a type-IV autoimmune disease?
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Rheumatoid arthritis Multiple Sclerosis Crohn’s disease Coeliac disease
Coeliac disease symptoms?
Loss of gastrointestinal villi Severe inflammation of the intestinal wall Increase number of intestinal lymphocytes
Coeliac disease cause?
Peptides normally produced from gluten do not bind to MHC II Transglutaminase (tTG) modifies the peptides (gliadin), so they can bind The bound peptide activates gluten-specific CD4+ cells The activates T cells can kill mucosal epithelial cells by binding Fas (important receptor in cytotoxic killing)
Types of eukaryotes?
Humans Plants Protozoa Fungi Algae
Types of prokaryotes?
Bacteria Archaea
Types of acellular organisms?
Viruses
Features of bacteria?
Unicellular Lack nucleus Found everywhere that there is moisture Reproduce asexually Cell wall contains peptidoglycan
Features of archaea?
Unicellular Lack nucleus Found everywhere that there is moisture Reproduce asexually Cell wall contains other polymers NOT peptidoglycan
Features of fungi?
eukaryotic Obtain food from other organisms Possess a cell wall Can be multi or unicellular
Types of fungi?
molds and yeasts
Features of molds?
multicellular Grow as long filaments Reproduce by sexual and asexual spores
Features of yeasts?
unicellular Reproduce by budding or sexual spores
Features of algae?
Multi or unicellular Photosynthetic Simple reproductive structures Categorised on the basis of pigmentation, storage products and cell wall composition
Features of protozoa?
Unicellular Eukaryote Similar to animals in nutrient need and cellular structure Live freely in water Some live in animal hosts Capable of locomotion
How can protozoa move?
Pseudopodia Cilia Flagella
Features of viruses?
Need an electron microscope to see Acellular Obligatory parasites (cannot survive on their own) Composed of DNA or RNA and a protein coat