Immunology Flashcards
Cytokine
Hormones used for signalling w/in immune system
Affect local vasodilation, capillary permeability, prostaglandins
Types of lymphocytes
Helper T
Killer T
Regulator T
B
Types of myeloid cells
Monocyte/macrophage Neutrophils Eosinophils Basophils Mast cells Natural killers
Common cytokines
Interleukin
Interferon
Tissue necrosis factor
Granulocyte colony stimulation factor (GCSF)
Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF)
Monocyte
Innate system Phagocytize bacteria Become macrophages once they move from blood to tissue; more in places prone to invasion (lungs vs skin, etc.) Release lots of cytokines - alert system Antigen presenting cells Include microglia, Kupffer cells Release inflammation mediating cytokines
Neutrophil
aka polymorphonuclearcytes Innate system Phagocytes 70% of serum WBC Segmented are old, banded are new
Shift to the left
High number of banded vs segmented neutrophils (normal is 1-2%)
Indicates immune system is ramping up in response to something
Natural killer cells
Resemble both innate and adaptive
Bacteria, viruses
Make antibodies
Two key mechanism (don’t kill and kill signals)
Pattern-recognition receptors
Inherited receptors found in the innate immune system
Complement system
Innate system
Proteins that attach to invaders
Either destroy invader opsonizate it
Large complement clumps can cause things to precipitate out - can cause problems in glomerulus
Opsonization
“preparing to eat”
Process of marking a pathogen and preparing it for destruction by immune cells
Can involve binding antigens or complement proteins to pathogen
C3 and C5
Major complement proteins
Innate system
Deals w/ majority of invaders
Fast and non-specific
Adaptive system
Slow response to specific problems
CD4 cells
Helper T cells
CD8 cells
Killer T cells
T Lymphocytes
Helper (CD4) - Trigger killer T cells, tell B cells to make antibodies (have two key system)
Killer (CD8) -
Regulatory - poorly understood
B Lymphocytes
Produce antibodies
Humoral vs cellular components of immune system
Humoral = antibodies/antigens and complement Cellular = white blood cells
MHC
Major Histocompatability Complexes are markers on cells that help them identify themselves. Only found on nucleated cells.
MHC-I - found on all cells, show what’s happening inside cell; lack of MHC-I causes Complement reaction
MHC-II - only on antigen presenting cells; presented to Helper T’s that then activate Killer T’s; shows what’s happening outside cells
Plasma cells
Active B cells that are making antibodies
Memory cells
B cells left after an infection; capable of a faster response to later infection
Immunoglobin
An antibody
Constant region
Variable parts - variable part contains that antigen binding site
IgG
Most common antibody in serum.
Able to cross placenta
Passive immunity
Newborns receive immunity from mother via IgG cells. Last approximately six months.
IgM
Antibody produced during primary infection
Activates complement cascade
IgA
Most abundant antibody
Found in mucus (GI, nose, etc.)
Found in milk - infant protection
IgA deficiency is most common immune deficiency; s/s = chronic sinus infections
IgE
Allergies and anaphylaxis antibody
IgD
Poorly understood antibody, involved w/ B cells
Graft vs Host disease
In immunocompromised patients, graft/transplant contains active WBC (primarily Killer T) that attack host cells. 90% fatality. Irradiation kills nucleated cells and doesn’t damage RBC.
B cells
Adaptive, lymphocytes
Produce antibodies
Titer
Draw blood and look for specific antibodies
Areas on an antibody
Variable region - antigen binding site
Constant region - immune cell binding site
Heavy chain - defines type of antibody
Light chain
HLA B27
HLA associated with some autoimmune diseases
HLA
Human Leukocyte Antigen
Found by looking at someone’s WBC’s MHC
Antigen producing cells (APC)
Cells that have an MHC-II
Tell Helper T cells what antigens are on an invader
Includes macrophages
Signs of inflammatory response
Rubor, dolor, calor, tumor
(red, painful, warmth, swelling)
Indicative of infection
Basophils and mast cells
Innate
Have IgE antigens
Lots of granulations
Involved in allergies
Eosinophils
Innate
Lots of granulations
Fight parasites
Involved in allergies
Type I hypersensitivity
IgE mediated (basophil/mast cells)
Fast rxn
Requires primary and secondary exposure
Anaphylaxis
Type II hypersensitivity
Anitbody mediated (IgM or IgG) Transfusion reactions, rheumatic fever, grave's disease
Type III hypersensitivity
Caused by circulating immune complexes that activate complement
Lupus, polyarteritis
Type IV hypersensitivity
T cell mediated
Slow
TB, poison oak
Allograft
Transplant w/in the same species
Autograft
Graft w/in an individual
Granulocytes
Neutrophils
Basophils/Mast cells
Eosinophils
Agranulocytes
Lymphocytes
Monocytes
Primary immunodeficiency
Iatrogenic common cause, may also be congenital or spontaneous
Abnormality in development or function of B and/or T cells
Secondary immunodeficiency
Immune system is present but isn’t working - not an abnormality in development/function of T/B cells
HIV, Kwashiorkor
