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Y1 PRINCIPLES > Immunology > Flashcards

Immunology Flashcards

1
Q

There exists an evolutionary arms race between pathogen and host. What does this mean?

A

Pathogen exploits flaws in the defensive barriers of its host The host evolves to correct those flaws Pathogen replicates and evolves to evade corrections to exploit other flaws Pathogen has ability to replicate much faster than the host; host relies on flexible and rapid immune response to combat

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2
Q

Some features of skin that contribute to barring infection include…(3)

A

Tightly packed keratinised cells undergo renewal constantly; limits colonisation
Low pH kills pathogens
Sebaceous glands secrete oils and enzymes to destroy bacterial cell walls

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3
Q

Some features of mucous that contribute to barring infection include…(4)

A

Directly traps pathogens in body lining
Secretory IgA prevents bacteria and viruses penetrating epithelial cells
Contains enzymes - lysozyme, defensin, anti-microbial proteins, lactoferrin
Contains cilia - help remove mucous

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4
Q

The innate immune system has a ___ response and is ____ to micro-organisms

A

Fast, non-specific

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5
Q

The adaptive immune system has a ___ response and is ____ to micro-organisms

A

Slow, specific

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6
Q

The 5 types of leukocytes (WBCs)?

A

Neutrophils, Monocytes, Lymphocytes, Eosinophils, Basophils + Mast cells

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7
Q

Primary lymphoid tissue?

A

SITE OF LEUKOCYTE DEVELPMENT: Bone marrow, thymus

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8
Q

Secondary lymphoid tissue?

A

ADAPTIVE IMMUNE RESPONSE: Spleen, tonsils (any sites of AIS activation), lymph nodes

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9
Q

List the leukocyte components of the innate immune system

A

Macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells, basophils, mast cells, eosinophils, NK cells

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10
Q

List the protein components/humoral factors of the innate immune system

A

Complement, acute phase, cytokines

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11
Q

Role of cytokines

A

Includes INFs, ILKs, TNFa, pro-inflam chemokines: Modulate the behaviour of cells, locally and systemically by binding to receptor on target cell

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12
Q

Role of NK cells

A

Large granular lymphocytes that kill tumours and infected cells

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13
Q

Role of mast cells, eosinophils and basophils

A

Highly granular cells, reside in tissues and protect mucosal surfaces, release chemicals, recruited via inflam signals

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14
Q

Basophils and mast cells mature in bone marrow. True/false?

A

False Basophils mature in bone marrow; mast cells mature once in tissue

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15
Q

Basophils and mast cells are mainly involved in ____. They secrete ____, leading to _____…

A

Allergic reactions
Secrete histamine and inflammatory mediators (DEGRANULATION),
leading to increased vascular permeability and smooth muscle contraction (GENE EXPRESSION - increase new proinflam mediators)

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16
Q

The main function of phagocytes is? Main types?

A 
"Eat" cells by ingesting them and mopping up debris -Neutrophils (short lived, most numerous)
Macrophages (long lived) 
Dendritic cells (AP to T cells) 
PHAGOCYTOSIS
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17
Q

PRRs recognise what on bacteria/viruses?

A

PAMPs

Not expressed by human cells

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18
Q

Opsonins enhance…

A

Phagocytosis

Act as a bridge between pathogen and phagocyte receptors

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19
Q

Major opsonins include…

A

C3b, collectins, Fc of IgG/IgM, CRP

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20
Q

Acute phase proteins (inc. CRP) are produced by…

A

The liver

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21
Q

CRP greater than 200mg/l indicates…

A

Severe bacterial/fungal infection

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22
Q

Oxidative killing requires which crucial enzyme?

Alternative option in phagocytosis?

A

NADPH oxidase complex - Converts oxygen into reactive free radicals
Via anti-microbial proteins

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23
Q

Interferons are important in…

A

Limiting viral infections

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24
Q

Interleukins are important in…

A

Directing cells to divide/differentiate Mainly produced by T cells (IL-2 important for T cell activation)

25
Q

Chemokines are important in…

A

Establishing a concn gradient to direct movement of cells (tell leukocytes where to go)

26
Q

List the main components of pus…(4)

A

Neutrophils, NETs (neutrophil traps that immobilise the pathogen), dead bacteria, cellular debris

27
Q

Complement involves enzymatically activating proteins in a…
Types of pathways (3)…

A

Biological cascade, resulting in a rapid response - classical, mannose-binding lectin or alternative pathway

28
Q

Classical pathway is activated by…

A

Antibodies (so B cells need to have been activated for this) IgG/IgM cause conformational change in C1, activating cascade

29
Q

In the classical pathway, first C1 is activated, then…

A

C4, C2, C3

30
Q

Lectin pathway is activated by…

A

Mannose-binding lectin binding to carbohydrates This mimics binding of C1 to immune complexes, so there is no need for antibodies

31
Q

Alternate pathway is activated by…

A

Spontaneous hydrolysis of C3 and its direct binding to bacterial cell walls — C3a and C3b —- C5 — C5a and C5b

32
Q

Membrane attack complex is assembled by which complement proteins?

A

C5-C9

33
Q

Functions of C3a and C5a

A

Inflammatory mediators - recruit phagocytes

34
Q

Examples of complement inhibitors

A

C1, Factor I, Factor H, C4 binding protein, CD59

35
Q

List the leukocyte components of the adaptive immune system

A

B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes

36
Q

List the protein components/ humoral factors of the adaptive immune system

A

Antibodies, cytokines

37
Q

Give the main role of B cells

A

Protect against intercellular pathogens via antibodies

38
Q

Give the main role of T cells and active types

A

Protect against intracellular pathogens and split into CD4 + T helper cells - key regulators of immune system
CD8 + T cells (CTLs) - kill virally infected body/cancer cells

39
Q

Antibodies act as opsonins. True/False?

A

True

40
Q

Antibodies are Y shaped glycoproteins made up of…

Chains held together by…

A

Two heavy chains and two light chains
Heavy chains have variable regions (antigen binding site); light chains have constant regions

Disulphide bridges

41
Q

T cell antigen receptors can recognise free antigens. True/False?

A

False Need to be presented as a complex with MHC molecules

42
Q

MHC I presents to?

A

CD8+ T cells Expressed on all nucleated cells

43
Q

MHC II presents to?

A

CD4+ T cells Expressed only on antigen presenting cells (dendritic cells, B cells, macrophages)

44
Q

T cell activation requires…

A

MHC binding to T-cell receptor B7 binding to CD28

45
Q

B cell activation requires…

A

Antigen binding to B-cell receptor PRRs recognising PAMPs Optional co-stimulation by CD4+ cells through CD40L

46
Q

List the consequences of T and B cell activation

A

7-10 days - mitosis —- clonal expansion and differentiation into effector or memory cells

47
Q

List the immunoglobulins found in the blood, from most to least abundant

A

IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, IgE

48
Q

Main function of IgG

A

Provides antibody-mediated immunity to developing foetus and neonates

49
Q

Main function of IgA

A

Secretory; found in breast milk, saliva, tears

Defence at mucosal surfaces

50
Q

Main function of IgM

A

Found in blood; first Ig produced during infection

51
Q

Main function of IgD

A

Unknown; protection against URT infections

52
Q

Main function of IgE

A

Activates mast cells (causes degranulation)

53
Q

Function of IL-2

A

Activates CD8+ cells

54
Q

Function of IL-2

A

Suppresses the immune response

55
Q

Function of IL-4, IL-5 and IFNy

A

Activate B cells; increase killing

56
Q

4 different types of memory cells

A

Helper T-cells
B-cells
Cytotoxic T-cells
Long lived plasma cells

57
Q

Name some pro-inflammatory cytokines

A

IL-1 IL-6 TNF

58
Q

What effect do pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 have on the liver?

A

Stimulate release of acute phase proteins (CRP, C3…)

59
Q

Give the action of CTL and the chemicals used in this response (3)

A

CTL from CD8 binds to MHC1 receptor causing DNA fragmentation and cell death
PERFORIN: polymerase to form pore in target membrane
GRANZYME: activate apoptosis once in target cell cytoplasm
GRANULYSIN: induce apoptosis

Y1 PRINCIPLES (10 decks)

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