Immunology Flashcards
Cells involved in innate immunity
Granulocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, NK cells
Where are immune cells created and differentiated?
Bone marrow
Adaptive immunity cells
T-cells, B-cells, macrophages, dendritic cells
Rate of response for innate immunity and specificity
Fast; unspecific
Rate of response for adaptive immunity and specificity
Delayed response and specific
Lymphocytes
B-cell, T-cells, monocytic cells, NK cells
B-cell: location of maturation and characteristics
Bone marrow; Produces antibodies, B cell receptor pathogen recognition, MHC class 1 and 2 APC
Plasma cells
B-cells that are short lived and actively produce antibodies
Memory cells
B-cells that are long living and protect against reinfection
T-cells: location of maturation
thymous
Tc cell
Cytotoxic T cell that induces death via direct cell-cell contact
T-h cell
Helper T cells that release cytokines for immune modulation
Cytokines
Chemical messengers that direct the immune response
Regulatory chemical messengers that cells with surface receptors for specific cytokine types respond to
T-reg
Regulatory T cells that suppress immune response when an infection is under control
Activated T-cells
Effector and memory cells
NK Cell characteristics
Leukocyte that is part of the innate response; non-adaptive; effective in early viral infections; cytotoxic to healthy cells
Perforin
The substance secreted by a NK cell to bore holes into another cell’s plasmalemma
Granzymes
Cytotoxic chemicals that enter perforins and trigger apoptosis (NK cells)
Phagocytic cells
Neutrophils and monocytic cells; eosinophils can also, but only secondary
Cytokine producers (major)
T-helper cells (adaptive) and macrophages (innate)
Degranulation
Mast cells and basophils- chemical mediators
Eosinophils and neutrophilsp- cytotoxic substances
Granules released from the surface of granulocytes that trigger a response (innate)
Pattern Recognition Receptors
Receptors used by phagocytic cells to determine what cells they will eat
Length of time a monocytic cell circulates before differentiation
One day
Shape of monocytic nucleus
C/horseshoe shaped
M1 vs M2 Macrophagic functions
M1- cytotoxic (also to human tissue)
M2- immunosuppressant and tissue repair
Phagocytosis, antigen presentation, inflammation, and cytokine production
Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells produce…
…interferons (anti-viral cytokines), and have innate functions
Where are conventional DCs located?
Peripheral tissues
What cell serves as the link for innate and adaptive immune response?
Dendritic Cells (DCs)
Also known as polymorphonuclear leukocyte, this cell is the first responder in cell-mediated immunity and can use phagocytosis, degranulation, and NETs
Neutrophils
Horseshoe shaped nucleus with segmentation. Segmentation alterations can be indicative of deficiency of this vitamin
Neutrophil; Vit B12
Primary effector is degranulation, but can phagocytosis something. Parasites are usually targeted by this cell. IgE opsonizes parasites
Eosinophils
Involved in allergic response via IgE surface receptors, granules contain histamine and herapin, and circulate in blood
Basophils
Histamine and herapin granules, found in tissues, IgE surface receptors (high affinity), main participator in allergic response
Mast Cells
Low WBC count can be caused by..
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, lupus and lyme, HIV, steroid use
These include Monocyetes, lymphocytes, granulocytes
High WBC count can be caused by..
Infection/chronic inflammation, and some canacers
Low lymphocyte count can be caused by..
(B,T,NK cells) Medications (corticosteroids), stress, intense exercise, chemo and radiation
High lymphocyte count can be caused by..
Lymphocytosis- infections, leukemias and lymphomas
High monocyte count…
Chronic inflammation
Low monocyte count…
Steroids, stress, acute infection
Neutrophilia/penia
Infection, inflammation, injury /or/ increased risk of infection
What are the primary lymphoid organs?
Bone marrow, thymus, and fetal liver (not applicable for most cases)
What are the secondary lymphoid organs?
Lymph nodes, spleen, mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)
What do the primary lymphoid organs do?
Site of lymphocyte production and maturation
What do secondary lymphoid organs do?
Site of lymphocyte activation
What do lymphatic vessels do?
Transport lymph and luekocytes
Where are lymphocytes all produced?
Bone Marrow
Where do B-cells, NK cells, and T-cells mature?
Bone marrow and thymus, respectively
How does the thymus respond to aging?
Replacement of active tissue with fat; basically, it shrinks
How can the thymus cortex be identified histologically? What does it predominantly contain?
Darker staining compared to medulla; T-cell rich
How can the Thymus medulla be visualized via staining? What leukocytes is this component rich in?
Lighter staining; antigen presenting cells and macrophages
What is the function of the hassall’s corpuscules?
Nobody really knows
What is the progenator of T-cells?
thymocytes
About how many lymph nodes are in the body?q
500-700
What lymphocytes are primarily contained in the primary lymphoid follicle of a lymph node?
B-cells
What lymphocyte(s) is most abundant in the parafollicular cortex of a lymph node?
T-cells
How is lymph circulated in the body?
Muscular contractions and one-way valves
What are swollen lymph nodes indicative of?
Active viral or bacterial infection; OR blockage following an infection that is benign in nature
Secondary swelling concerns: cancer, arthritis, and allergic reactions
What is the primary function of the spleen? What is the secondary function of the spleen?
1*: filter and discard/recycle red blood cells
2*: Halting circulatory pathogens while filtering blood
The red pulp of the spleen acts to…
…phagocytose worn out RBCs and components and antigens/microbes in the blood stream
The white pulp of the spleen is…
..areas of lymphocytes around arterioles. (There is some separation of B and T cell areas)
What does PALS stand for? What does it do?(Spleen)
PeriArteriolar Lymphoid Sheath; contains WBC to filter blood and stop circulatory pathogens
What secondary lymphoid organs and tissues encounter more pathogens and thus require mucosa to deter infection?
GI tract, respiratory system, urogenital system, and salivary
What are the organized uncapsulated lymph nodes in the gut?
Peyer’s patches
What areas are lymph nodes NOT found?
Cartilege, CNS, cornea, epidermis
T or F: Lymphatic vessels and the blood stream are independent of one another
FALSE
Where do lymph vessels enter the blood stream?
Thoracic duct and cisterna chyli
What are the weak cell adhesion molecules present on lymphocytes?
Selectins