Immunology- Introduction to Clinical Sciences Flashcards
What is immunology
Study of the immune system
and how it has evolved to protect us from pathogens/non-self
What is innate immunity
Instinctive, non-specific, does not depend on lymphocytes, present from birth
What is adaptive immunity?
Specific ‘Acquired/learned’ immunity, requires lymphocytes, antibodies
What are adaptive and innate immunity made up of
cells and soluble factors (humoral)
What is serum
plasma without fibrinogen and other clotting factors
What makes up blood?
Where are leukocytes made
Made in the bone marrow - Haematopioesis
Components of the immune system
Cells of the Immune system
Also:
Mast cell
Natural Killer Cell
Dendritic cells:
Kupffer- liver
Langerhans-skin
Soluble Factors called?
3 types:
Complement
Antibodies
Cytokines, Chemokines
Modes of action for complement (C’) factors
- Direct lysis
2.Attract more Leukocytes to the site of infection - Coat invading organism
How are complement factors only activated by?
They are activated only as part of the immune response – 3 activation pathways
What are complement factors?
Group of ~20 serum proteins secreted by the liver that need to be activated to be functional
What do antibodies bind to?
specifically to Antigens (Ag)
Are immunoglobulin soluble?
Yes
Where can you find immunoglobulins?
Cell Surface (on B cells)
5 distinct classes of immunoglobulins?
IgG
IgA
IgM
IgD
IgE
What do antibodies act as?
Adapter that links microbe to a phagocyte
What cells secrete cytokines?
Immune and non-immune cells
Types of cytokines?
Interferons (IFN)
Interleukins (IL)
Colony Stimulating Factors
Tumour Necrosis Factors (TNFa & b)
Chemokines
What do Interferons (IFN) do?
induce a state of antiviral resistance in uninfected cells IFNa & b - produced by virus-infected cells
IFNg - released by activated T cells
Role of interleukins (IL)
produced by many cells, over 30 types
It can be pro-inflammatory (e.g. IL1) or anti-inflammatory (e.g. IL-10)
Can cause cells to divide, differentiate and secrete factors
Role of Colony-Stimulating Factors
Involved in directing the division and differentiation of bone marrow stem cells – precursors of leukocytes
What are Colony-Stimulating Factors precursors of ?
Leukocytes