Immunology 2 Flashcards by Lauren Clegg

What is the immune system?

Network of specialised cells, tissues and soluble factors that co-operate and kill and eliminate disease, causing pathogens and cancer cells..?

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What are the key factors of the immune system?

able to modify the response to deal with different types of pathogens in the most effective way
able to actively promote tissue repair and healing
able to remember pathogen it encounters (memory)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Name the main components of the immune system (leukocytes)?

- CELLS

Phagocytes - neutrophils, dendritic cells and mono/macrophages
lymphocytes - T cells, B cells, NK cells
Mast cells, Basophils and Eosinophils

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Name the main components of the immune system?

- SOLUBLE FACTORS

Antibodies
Complement system proteins
Cytokines
Acute phase proteins

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What 4 classes of pathogens does the immune system protect us against?

Extracellular bacteria, parasites and fungi
Intracellular bacteria and parasites
Viruses (intracellular)
Parasitic worms (extracellular)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Describe cytokines, name the 4 different types?

They are a diverse collection of small peptides and proteins

Produced in response to infection, inflammation and tissue damage

Modulate the behaviour of cells

Interferon, TNF(a), Chemokines, Interlukins

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Describe the function of interferon? (cytokine)

Anti-viral activity

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Describe the function of TNF(a)?

Pro-inflammatory cytokine

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Describe the function of chemokines?

Direct and control cell migration, along a gradient of low to high

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Describe the function of interleukins?

Various functions

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Describe antibodies?

Produced in response to?
Produced by?

They are proteins produced in response to an antigen, and they bind specifically to that antigen

They are produced by an antigen activated B cell

They provide defence against extracellular pathogens/viruses/toxins

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

What is an antigen?

Any substance which can stimulate an immune response (lipid, carb etc)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Descibe T and B cells generally?

They are mature cells that circulate though the body

They only become activate when in contact with an antigen or pathogen

Some are long lived (memory T and B)

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Describe T cells?

Helper T cells?
Cytotoxic T cells?

Key role in defence against intracellular pathogens

Helper T cells - Regulators of immune system

Cytotoxic T cells - Kill, virally infected cells

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Describe B cells?

Production and secretion of antibodies to defend against extracellular pathogens

How well did you know this?

Not at all

Perfectly

Describe NK cells?

Large granular lymphocytes

Can kill tumour cells and virally infection cells

Can also kill antibody bound cells and pathogens

They can release lytic granules that kill some virus infected cells

Where do you find mast cells?

Reside in tissues and protect mucosal surfaces

Where do you find basophils and eosinophils?

In the blood

They are recruited to the site of infection by inflammatory signals

Describe in general mast cells, basophils and eosinophils?

Highly granular

Released chemicals (histamine, inflammatory cytokines)

Defence system against large pathogens that cannot be phagocytosed

Key role in mediating allergic response

Describe the complement system?

Proteins produced in the liver (approx 30 proteins)

Circulate around the body in an inactive form

Enter infected/inflamed tissues where they become activated - then cleave and activate other downstream complement proteins

Critical role in promoting inflammation and defence against bacteria

What are the key functions of complement?

Promote inflammation

Recruit cells

Solubilise and remove from the circulation antigen-antibody complexes

Describe neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages generally?

They are Phagoctic cells they -

Clear debris ingest and kill bacteria and fungi

Secrete cytokines which regulates acute inflammatory response

Describe monocytes?

Precusor of macrophages in the blood

Describe macrophages?

Long lived tissues resident phagocytes

Limit inflammation involved in tissue repair and wound healing and antigen presentation

Describe neutrophils?

Tri/bi lobed nucleus Have finite capacity - die Short lived Rapidly recruited to inflamed, damage and infected tissues

What are dendritic cells?

They are antigen presenting cells, they act as messengers between the innate and adaptive immune systems

Describe dendritic cells?

They present in peripheral tissues in an immature state They phagocytose antigens Mature and migrate into secondary lymphoid tissues where they play a key role in antigen presentation to the T cells

In order from most to least what cells are the best at killing and degradation?

Neutrophils Macrophages Dendritic cells

In order from most to least what cells are best at antigen presentation?

Dendritic cells Macrophages Neutrophils

What component of the immune system is involved with intracellular parasites and bacteria?

Antibody and B cells Cytotoxic T cells NK cells

What component of the immune system is involved with extracellular bacteria, parasites and fungi?

``` Cytotoxic T cell NK cell Neutrophils Macrophages Complement Antibodies ```

What component of the immune system is involved with parasitic Worms?

``` Eosinophils Mast cells basophils antibodies B cells ```

What is primary lymphoid tissue?

Site of leukocyte development E.g. Bone marrow Thymus

What is secondary lymphocyte tissue?

Sites where the adaptive immune responses are initiated Contain T B and dendritic cells ``` E.g. Spleen Lymph nodes (cervical, axillary, inguinal...) Adenoids Tonsils Thoracic duct Peyers patches Right subclavian vein ```

What is the lymphatic system?

A system of vessels draining fluid from body tissues (lymph) Lymph nodes are positioned regularly along lymph vessels – trap pathogens and antigens in lymph

What is lymphoedma?

condition of localised fluid retention and tissue swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system which normally returns interstitial fluid to the thoracic duct and then the bloodstream These tissues are at risk of infection

What is immunological memory mediated by?

T cells and memory B cells

Describe some macrophages that are in the, liver, lung, kindness and nervous system?

Kupffer cells - liver Alveolar macrophages - lung Mesangial cells - kidney Microglial cells - nervous system

What component of the immune system is involved with viruses?

Cytokines - interferons Antibodies Cytotoxic T cell NK cell