Immunology Flashcards
What are the functions of the keratin layer?
Physical barrier
Pathogen detection
Which 3 structural proteins in the keratin layer help maintain its integrity?
Filaggrin
Involucrin
Keratin
Which 2 factors can activate antigen detection in keratinocytes?
UV light
Allergens
Which proteins that are deadly to pathogens are formed by keratinocytes?
Anti-microbial peptides (AMPs)
Which immunological chemicals are produced by keratinocytes?
Cytokines
Chemokines
What is the skin’s main resident immune cell?
Langerhans cell
- type of dendritic cell in epidermis
Give 4 features of the Langerhans cell
- antigen-presenting cell
- contain Birbeck granules
- act as sentinels
- help activate T cells
Which type of T cell is mainly found in the epidermis?
CD8+
cytotoxic cells
Which type of T cell is mainly found in the dermis?
Mainly CD4+
T helper cells
Which specific CD4+ TH cell is associated with psoriasis?
TH1
Which specific CD4+ TH cell is associated with atopic dermatitis?
TH2
Which specific CD4+ TH cell is associated with BOTH psoriasis and atopic dermatitis?
TH17
What types of dendritic cells (DC) are present in the dermis? (2)
What do they secrete? (2)
Dermal DC: secrete cyto/chemokines
Plasmacytoid DC: produce IFNα
What type of skin are plasmatoid dendritic cells found in?
Diseased skin
Which 3 other immunological cell types are found in the dermis?
Macrophages
Neutrophils
Mast cells (esp in barriers)
What are 4 pre-formed immunity mediators in mast cells?
Tryptase
TNF
Histamine
Chymase
Which gene contains the Major Histocompatibility Complex genes?
Chromosome 6
Give 3 features of MHC Class I gene proteins
Found on almost all cells
Present Ag to cytotoxic T cells
Present endogenous Ag
Give 3 features of MHC Class II gene proteins
Found on APCs (macrophages, B cells)
Present to Thelper cells
Present exogenous Ag
What are the main functions of MHC proteins?
Recognise self and non-self
- important in transplants
Which cells are most implicated in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis?
T cells
Mutations in which gene are associated with severe/early onset Atopic Eczema?
Filaggrin
Which 3 skin conditions are thought to be auto-immune mediated?
Psoriasis
Vitiligo
Systemic lupus erythematosus
