Immunology Flashcards
Describe the flow of lymph through a lymph node.
from the afferent vessel to a subcapsular sinus to a trabecular sinus in the cortex to a medullary sinus and then out the efferent vessel
What are the major components of the cortex, paracortex, and medulla of a lymph node.
- cortex: B-cell follicles
- paracortex: T-cells
- medulla: cords of plasma cells and sinuses containing histiocytes and reticular cells
Give the structures drained by each of the following lymph node clusters:
- cervical
- hilar
- axillary
- mediastinal
- celiac
- superior mesenteric
- inferior mesenteric
- internal iliac
- para-aortic
- superficial inguinal
- popliteal
- cervical: head and neck
- hilar: lungs
- axillary: upper limb, breast, skin above umbilicus
- mediastinal: esophagus and trachea
- celiac: liver, spleen, pancreas, stomach, upper duodenum
- superior mesenteric: lower duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon to splenic flexure
- inferior mesenteric: splenic flexure to upper rectum
- internal iliac: lower rectum to pectinate line, bladder, middle ⅓ vagina, cervix, prostate
- para-aortic: ovaries, testes, kidneys, uterus
- superficial inguinal: vulva, scrotum, anal canal below pectinate line, skin below umbilicus
- popliteal: posterior calf and dorsolateral foot
The stomach and upper duodenum are drained by which lymph node cluster?
the celiac
Splenic dysfunction leaves one susceptible to which group of organisms? Which organisms in particular?
encapsulated organisms (Please SHINE my SKiS):
- P. aeruginosa
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- H. influenza type b
- N. meningitidis
- E. coli
- Salmonella spp.
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Group B Strep
What are Howell-Jolly bodies? What do they usually indicate?
basophilic nuclear remnants found in erythrocytes, often indicative of splenic dysfunction
List 4 hematologic findings consistent with splenectomy.
- thrombocytosis
- lymphocytosis
- target cells
- Howell-Jolly bodies
What is the splenic marginal zone?
an area between the red pulp and white pulp, which contains macrophages and specialized B cells, where APCs capture blood-borne antigens for recognition by lymphocytes
The thymus is derived from which embryonic structure?
the third pharyngeal pouch
The innate immune system relies on what system for pathogen recognition?
TLRs that recognize PAMPs
HLA genes encode what?
MHC molecules
Which HLA genes encode which MHC-I molecules? Which encode MHC-II?
- MHC-I are encoded by HLA-A, B, C
- MHC-II are encoded by HLA-DP, DQ, DR
Which cells express MHC-I and MHC-II?
MHC-I are expressed by all nucleated cells while MHC-II are expressed only by antigen presenting cells
What is B2-microglobulin?
a protein without a transmembrane domain that is found in association with MHC-I alpha chains
What is invariant chain?
a protein that binds MHC-II prior to loading in order to prevent loading endogenous antigens during trafficking
Describe the process of loading MHC-I.
- MHC-I is synthesized in the RER
- TAP in the cytosol escorts endogenous antigens to the surface of the RER
- at the surface, TAP delivers the antigen to MHC-I
- now loaded, MHC-1 is trafficked to the plasma membrane
Describe the process of loading MHC-II.
- MHC-II is synthesized and bound to invariant chain
- MHC-II is delivered to an endosome where invariant chain is cleaved to form CLIP
- in the endosome, exogenous antigens outcompete CLIP for binding to MHC-II
- MHC-II is loaded with exogenous antigen and trafficked to the plasma membrane
Give the major disease associated with each of the following HLA subtypes:
- A3
- B8
- B27
- DQ2/8
- DR2
- DR3
- DR4
- DR5
- A3: hemochromatosis
- B8: addison disease, myasthenia gravis
- B27: seronegative arthropathies (psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, IBD-associated arthritis, reactive arthritis)
- DQ2/8: celiac disease (“I 8 2 much gluten at DQ)
- DR2: MS, SLE, goodpasture
- DR3: DMT1, SLE, Grave’s, Hashimoto thyroiditis, Addison disease
- DR4: rheumatoid arthritis, Addison disease
- DR5: pernicious anemia, Hashimoto thyroiditis
What is the strongest HLA-disease association?
HLA-B27 and ankylosing spondylitis
What is CD16?
an Fc receptor expressed by NK cells
What are the two targets/mechanisms through which NK cells kill?
- ADCC of IgG-bound targets
- perforin/granzyme induced apoptosis of cells lacking MHC-I
List four cytokines that enhance the activity of NK cells.
- IL-2
- IL-12
- IFN-a
- IFN-B
Describe positive and negative selection of T cells.
- in the thymic cortex, T cells expressing TCRs capable of binding self-MHC on cortical epithelial cells survive (positive selection)
- in the thymic medulla, T cells with a high affinity for self antigens expressed by epithelial reticular cells using AIRE undergo apoptosis (negative selection)
What is autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome 1? How does it present?
- an autoimmune condition that results due to an AIRE loss of function mutation (a transcription factor needed for the expression of certain self-antigens by epithelial reticular cells in the thymus)
- presents with hypoparathyroidism, adrenal failure, and chronic candida infections
What is AIRE? A loss of function mutation causes what disease?
- a transcription factor needed by epithelial reticular cells in the thymus in order to express some self-antigens for the negative selection of T-cells
- deficiency results in autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome 1
What is the purpose of regulatory T cells? How do they carry out this function and how can we identify them?
- they help maintain peripheral tolerance by suppressing CD4 and CD8 T-cells
- once activated they secrete two anti-inflammatory cytokines: IL-10 and TGF-B
- they express the CD25 and FOXP3 immunophenotype
CD25 and FOXP3 are makers for what kind of immune cell?
regulatory T cells
List the three cell types that serve as APCs?
- B cells
- macrophages
- dendritic cells
In addition to binding MHC-I/II, T-cells require what other signal in order to become activated?
B7 expressed by the APC must bind CD28 expressed by the T cell
What cell type expresses CD80/86 and what is it’s function?
- also known as B7.1/2
- it binds CD28 expressed by T cells and serves as the second signal for activation in addition to binding MHC
What cell type expresses CD28 and what is it’s function?
expressed by T cells, it binds B7.1/2 (aka CD80/86) expressed by an antigen presenting cell, and serves as the second signal for activation in addition to binding MHC
What induces B-cell class switching?
- B cell expresses MHC-Ag which is bound by TCR
- the T-cell also expresses CD40L, which binds CD40 expressed by B-cells and serves as the second signal
What cell type expresses CD40 and what is it’s function?
expressed by B cells, it binds CD40L expressed by T cells and serves as the second signal required for class switching
Immunoglobulins can be divided up into what two regions?
Fab (antigen binding fragment) and Fc (constant fragment)
Give four characteristics of the Fc region.
The 4 C’s:
- constant
- carboxy terminal
- carbohydrate side chains
- complement binding
Through what two mechanisms do we generate antibody diversity?
- random combination of VJ (light-chain) and V(D)J (heavy-chain) genes
- random addition of nucleotides to DNA during recombination
What is terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase?
an enzyme that randomly adds nucleotides to DNA during recombination of the VJ and V(D)J genes to improve immunoglobulin diversity
Which immunoglobulin isotypes fix complement? Which region of those immunoglobulins does complement fix to?
- IgM and IgG fix complement
- it fixes the Fc region of those immunoglobulins
Mature, naive B cells express what immunoglobulin isotypes on their surfaces?
IgM and IgD
IgG functions as an immune factor through what three mechanisms?
- opsonizes bacteria
- fixes complement
- neutralizes bacterial toxins and viruses
How does IgA protect it’s host?
by preventing attachment of bacteria and viruses to mucous membranes
What is J chain?
a protein that binds the Fc region of IgA and IgM to form dimers and pentamers, respectively
IgA crosses epithelial cells by a process known as what?
transcytosis
What is secretory component?
a molecule, acquired from epithelial cells, that protects the Fc portion of IgA from proteases in the gut lumen
Which isotype of immunoglobulin is produced at the highest level in the human body? Which isotype reaches the highest serum concentrations?
- IgA is most produced by doesn’t reach serum
- IgG is the most abundant isotype in serum
What is the purpose of IgE?
binds mast cells and basophils and cross-links when exposed to an allergen, thereby mediating a type I hypersensitivity
What are thymus-independent antigens?
those lacking a peptide component which cannot be presented by MHC to T cells and are therefore weakly immunogenic
Which isotype of immunoglobulin readily crosses the placenta?
IgG
What are acute-phase reactants? Where are they produced? They are notably induced by which cytokine?
- factors whose serum concentrations change significantly in response to inflammation
- produced in the liver
- induced by IL-6
What is c-reactive protein? What is it’s immunologic function?
a positive (upregulated) acute-phase reactant that serves as an opsonin and fixes complement
List the five positive and two negative acute phase reactants.
- positive: c-reactive protein, ferritin, fibrinogen, hepcidin, serum amyloid A
- negative: albumin, transferrin
What purpose does ferritin serve as an acute phase reactant?
it is upregulated, binding and sequestering iron to inhibit microbial iron scavenging
What purpose does hepcidin serve as an acute phase reactant?
it reduces iron absorption (by degrading ferroportin) and reduces iron release from macrophages, thereby inhibiting microbial iron scavenging
The membrane attack complex is effective against which types of organisms?
gram negative bacteria, most notably Neisseria
What are the three complement pathways and what activates each?
- classic: IgG or IgM mediated
- alternative: microbe surface molecules
- mannose: mannose or other sugars on microbe surface
Which complement components contribute to anaphylaxis via activation of mast cells?
C3a, C4a, C5a
Which complement components are part of the MAC?
C5b, C6-C9
What are the functions of C3b?
- opsonization
- clear immune complexes
What are the functions of C5a?
- anaphylaxis
- neutrophil chemotaxis
What are the two primary opsonins in the human body?
IgG and C3b
Describe the basic steps along the complement pathway.
- a C3 convertase is formed which converts C3 to C3b
- C3b helps form a C5 convertase
- C5 convertase converts C5 to C5b
- C5b joins with C6-C9 to form the MAC
What is decay-accelerating factor?
a glycophosphatidylinositol-anchored enzyme, aka CD55, that inhibits complement activation on self-cells
What is C1 esterase inhibitor?
an enzymes, that inhibits complement activation on self-cells
Review the full complement cascade.
See Lecture Notes
What is C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency? Describe the pathogenesis? What is the primary contraindication?
- an AD disorder known as hereditary angioedema resulting form loss of the complement regulator
- there is unregulated activation of kallikrein, leading to increased levels of bradykinin, as well as accumulation of anaphylatoxins, which results in swelling
- ACE inhibitors are contraindicated because they can lead to bradykinin accumulation
Why are ACE inhibitors contraindicated in those with C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency?
- the deficiency results in the accumulation of bradykinin, which then contributes to episodes of swelling
- ACE inhibitors also lead to accumulation of bradykinin
C3 deficiency increases a person’s risk for what two things?
- severe, recurrent, pyogenic sinus and respiratory infections
- type III hypersensitivity reactions
A deficiency in C5-C9 increases one’s risk for what?
Neisseria bacteremia
How does decay-accelerating factor deficiency manifest?
- DAF normally protects self-cells from complement fixation
- DAF deficiency causes complement-mediated lysis of RBCs and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
What is lactoferrin? Where is it found?
a protein found in secretory fluids and neutrophils that inhibits microbial growth via iron chelation
What are interferons and specifically what are they important for defending against?
- they are glycoproteins part of the innate host defense against RNA and DNA viruses
- they are synthesized by virus-infected cells and signal via autocrine and paracrine mechanisms to induce transcription of antiviral proteins that selectively degrade viral nucleic acid and inhibit viral protein synthesis
- it up regulates RNase L, an endonuclease that degrades RNA and protein kinase R, which inactivates eIF-2 and inhibits initiation of translation
What pneumonic helps recall the functions of IL-1 through IL-6?
Hot T-bone stEAK
- 1: hot (fever)
- 2: stimulates CD8 T cells
- 3: stimulates bone marrow (like GM-CSF)
- 4: IgE production
- 5: IgA production
- 6: aKute-phase protein production
What is the function of IL-8?
recruit neutrophils
What are the two major functions of IL-12?
- induce Th1 phenotype
- activate NK cells
Which cytokine mediates septic shock?
TNFa
What is the major function of TNFa?
- it mediates septic shock by activating the endothelium for recruitment of WBCs and vascular leakage
- responsible for cachexia in malignancy
What are the two major anti-inflammatory cytokines?
IL-10 and TGF-B
What is the major function of IL-10?
it is anti-inflammatory: decreases expression of MHC-II and Th1 cytokines, inhibits activated macrophages and dendritic cells
List the cell type(s) that express each CD:
- CD3
- CD16
- CD21
- CD25
- CD28
- CD34
- CD40
- CD40L
- CD80/86 (B7.1/2)
- CXCR4
- CCR5
- FOXP3
- CD3: T cells
- CD16: NK cells
- CD21: B cells
- CD25: regulatory T cells
- CD28: T cells
- CD34: hematopoietic stem cells
- CD40: B cells
- CD40L: helper T cells
- CD80/86: APCs
- CXCR4: T cells
- CCR5: T cells and macrophages
- FOXP3: regulatory T cells
What is the purpose of CD3 and which cells express it?
found on T cells, it is associated with the TCR for signal transduction
What is the significance of CXCR4 and CCR5?
they are the co-receptors for HIV found on T cells
What is the signficiance of CD34?
it is a marker of hematopoietic stem cells
Do B cells express CD40 or CD40L? CD28 or CD80/86?
they express CD40 and CD80/86
What is the clinical significance of CD21?
it is a B-cell marker and the receptor for EBV
What are superantigens?
bacterial antigens that cross-link the beta-region of the TCR to the MHC-II on APCs, causing a massive release of cytokines
What is the receptor for LPS that mediates toxic shock?
LPS binds CD14 (aka TLR4) on macrophages
What is CD14?
aka TLR4, it is an LPS receptor found on macrophages that mediates toxic shock
Name three viruses that are classic examples of antigenic variation.
- HIV
- Hib
- HCV
What is passive immunity? Give examples of how it is acquired.
immunity conveyed by the receipt of preformed antibodies (e.g. IgA from breast milk, IgG via the placenta, antitoxin, humanized monoclonal antibodies)
After exposure to what five microbes are unvaccinated patients given preformed antibodies?
“To Be Healed Very Rapidly”
- tetanus toxin
- botulinum toxin
- HBV
- varicella
- rabies virus
Which kind of vaccination is capable of inducing both a cellular and humoral response?
live attenuated vaccination
Which common vaccines are inactivated or killed vaccine?
“R.I.P. Always”
- R: rabies
- Influenza
- Polio
- Hep A
Which four common vaccines are live attenuated vaccines?
“May You Be Vivacious”
- MMR
- yellow fever
- BCG
- varicella
What defines acute and chronic inflammation?
- acute: neutrophil infiltrate
- chronic: lymphocyte infiltrate
Acute inflammation arises in response to what two things?
- infection
- tissue necrosis (neutrophils clear necrotic debris)
What is the downstream effect of activating a TLR?
up regulation of NF-kB, which leads to production of many more immune mediators
What is the role of arachidonic acid metabolites and how are they produced?
- metabolites that mediate acute inflammation
- AA is released from the cell membrane by phospholipase A2 and then acted upon by either COX or 5-lipoxygenase
- COX produces prostaglandins while 5-lipoxygenase produces leukotrienes
How are prostaglandins produced?
AA is released from a cell membrane by phospholipase A2 and then acted upon by COX
How are leukotrienes produced?
AA is released from a cell membrane by phospholipase A2 and then acted upon by 5-lipoxygenase
What role do prostaglandins play in acute inflammation?
they mediate arteriolar vasodilation and increase vascular permeability in the post-capillary venule
What role do leukotrienes play in acute inflammation?
they are slow reacting substances of anaphylaxis and mediate vasoconstriction, bronchospasm, and increased vascular permeability (all things that involve smooth muscle contraction)
Describe the function of arachidonic acid metabolites.
- they mediate acute inflammation
- prostaglandins are produced by COX and mediate vasodilation of the arteriole as well as increase vascular permeability of the post-capillary venule
- leukotrienes attract and activate neutrophils in addition to mediating vasoconstriction, bronchospasm, and increased vascular permeability
- specifically, PGE2 also mediates pain and fever while LTB4 attracts and activates neutrophils
What are pericytes?
contractile cells that sit under endothelial cells in capillaries and post-capillary venules and open spaces to increase vascular permeability
What is the significance of PGE2 in acute inflammation?
it mediates pain and fever
What is the significance of LTB4 in acute inflammation?
it attracts and activates neutrophils
List three things that activate mast cells.
- IgE cross-linking by antigen
- C3a and C5a
- tissue trauma
What are the fast and slow mediators of anaphylaxis?
- fast: histamine, released from preformed granules
- slow: leukotrienes produced after mast cell activation
What is Hageman factor?
- also known as FXII, it is a pro inflammatory protein produced by the liver, which activates coagulation and fibrinolytic systems, complement, and kinin systems
- FXII defects cause hereditary angioedema because they activate kinin, which yields bradykinin
What is bradykinin and how is it produced?
kinin cleaves high-molecular-weight kininogen (HMWK) to bradykinin, which then mediates vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, and pain
What are the five cardinal signs of inflammation?
- warmth
- redness
- pain
- swelling
- fever