Immunology Flashcards
What are Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and what is their function? Are they part of the innate or adaptive immune system?
They are pattern recgonition receptors that recognize pattern-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs); innate immune system
Which subdivision of the immune system is germline encoded?
innate immune system
Which cell of lymphoid origin is considered part of the innate immune system?
Natural Killer cells
Which subdivision of the immune system achieves variation through VDJ recombination during lymphocyte development?
adaptive immune system
What is the initial role of complement in the immune response?
some complement fragments coat bacteria, and others induce vasodilation
What are the three main roles of complement?
opsonization (leading to phagocytosis), vasodilation, lysis (by recruiting bacteriolytic complement proteins)
which innate immune cells possess the key effector function of phagocytosis?
neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages
which innate immune cells possess the key effector function of degranulation?
neutrophils, basophils, mast cells, eosinophils
NK cells have enhanced specificity for what types of pathogens?
virus
What is the role of dendritic cells (DCs) in T cell activation?
DCs ingest foreign pathogens, migrate to draining lymph nodes, and activate T cells
An activated DC is also called a what?
Antigen presenting cell (APC)
What are the main role of T helper cells (Th)?
to secrete cytokines, activate B cells, and activate innate cells
What are the main effector functions of cytotixic T cells (CTL)?
secrete cytokines, kill infected cells
What is the difference in pathogen specificity between Th and CTL cells?
Th: anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-viral
CTL: anti-viral
What are the main effector functions of antibodies?
neutralize (prevent infections), activate complement, activate innate cells
Which two elements of the innate immune system allow immediate binding of pathogens?
complement, and PAMPs
Which cell types carry pattern recognition receptors (PRRs)?
All WBCs