Immunology Flashcards
What must the immune system do in order to be effective?
Must discriminate self from non-self
Describe innate immunity
Non-specific Instinctive Present from birth First line of defence Based on physical and chemical barrier and phagocytosis (No lymphocyte involvement)
Give examples of physical and chemical barriers used in innate immunity
Skin, mucociliary escalator, gastric acid, hairs, lysozymes
What is the function of a lysozyme?
To destroy bacterial cell walls
Describe adaptive immunity
Specific Acquired/learned immunity Requires lymphocytes Antibodies Memory and quicker response
Name 3 polymorphonuclear leukocytes
- Neutrophil
- Eosinophil
- Basophil
Name 3 mononuclear leukocytes
- Monocytes
- T lymphocytes
- B lymphocytes
In which primary lymphoid tissue do T cells mature?
Thymus
In which primary lymphoid tissue do B cells mature?
Bone marrow
How do T cells recognise antigens?
Antigens must be displayed by an antigen presenting cell and bound to MHC1/2
(T cells can’t recognise soluble antigens)
What is the function of a T helper 1 (CD4)?
Helps immune response against intracellular pathogens
Secretes cytokines
What is the function of a T helper 2 (CD4)?
Helps produce antibodies against extracellular pathogens
Secretes cytokines
What is the function of cytotoxic T cell (CD8)?
Kills cells directly by binding to antigens - they induce apoptosis
What is the function of T reg?
They regulate the immune response
Which cells express MHC 1?
All nucleated cells
Which cells express MHC 2?
Antigen presenting cells - macrophages, B cells and dendritic cells
Which MHC would an intracellular antigen (endogenous) lead to the expression of?
MHC 1
Which MHC would an extracellular antigen (exogenous) lead to the expression of?
MHC 2
What type of T cell binds to MCH 1?
Cytotoxic T cells (CD8)
What type of T cell binds to MCH 2?
Helper T cells (CD4)
What do B cells differentiate into?
Plasma cells
What do plasma cells produce?
Antibodies
What does a helper T cell bind to?
A T cell receptor which is bound to an antigen epitope which Is bound to MHC 2 on an APC
Which interleukin is secreted when a helper T cell is bound to a T cell receptor?
IL-2
IL-2 binds to an IL-2 receptor on the T cell and produces positive feedback mechanism leading to division and differentiation
How many antibodies can each B cell make?
Only 1 antibody which can only bind to 1 epitope
What happens to B cells that recognise ‘self’?
They are killed in bone marrow
Describe the process of a T helper cell binding to a B cell
A B cell antibody binds to an antigen
Phagocytosis
Epitope is displayed on the surface of the B cell bound to an MHC 2
TH2 binds to B cells
Cytokine secretion induces B-cell clonal expansion
Differentiation into plasma cells and memory B cells
Give 3 functions of antibodies
- Neutralise toxins
- Opsonisation
- Activate classical complement system
Name 5 immunoglobulins
IgG IgA IgM IgD IgE
What are the 2 most common immunoglobulins?
IgG (70-75%) and IgA (15%)
What is an IgE response associated with?
Hypersensitivity allergic response and defence against parasitic infections
What is the predominant Ig in mucous secretions?
IgA
Which region of an antibody binds to antigens?
The Fab region
Which region of an antibody binds to B cells?
The Fc region
Name 4 types of cytokines
- Interferons (IFN)
- Interleukins (IL)
- Colony Stimulating factors
- Tumour necrosis factors (TNFa &b)
What is the function of interferons?
Produce antiviral proteins
IFNy - released by activated Th1 cells
What is the function of interleukins?
Interleukins causes cell division and differentiation
What is the function of colony stimulating factors?
CSF causes division and differentiation of bone marrow stem cells
What is the function of tumour necrosis factors?
TNF mediates inflammation and cytotoxic reactions
What is the function of chemokines?
Chemokines attract leukocytes to the site of infection
Give examples of secondary lymphoid tissue
Spleen, lymph nodes, mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)
Describe the process of phagocytosis
- Pathogen binds to neutrophil/macrophage
- Engulfment of pathogen
- Phagosome formation
- Lysosome fusion - phagolysosome
- Pathogen is destroyed