Immunology: mechanism of self defense Flashcards
Innate immunity definition
the basic resistance to disease that a species possesses - the first line of defense against infection
characteristics of the innate immune response
- Broad-Spectrum (non-specific)
- no memory or lasting protective immunity
- limited repertoire of recognition molecules
Not equipped to fight something major – just general traffic, maintaining integrity
Antigen
Foreign Invader, Intruder
Antibody
Your Fire-power
Leukocytes
Your Soldiers
Phagocytes
Eaters - We eat our enemies
Macrophages
Big Eaters
Opsonization
Coating (coating surface of antigen, so possibly dealt w/later in various ways)
1st, 2nd, and 3rd line of defense
- First line of defence
- Innate resistance
- Second line of defence
- Inflammation
- Third line of defence
- Adaptive (acquired) immunity. Very Specialized soldiers/specific reactions
What is our 1st line of defense?
- physical and mechanical barriers
- biochemical barriers
- anatomic barriers
- physiologic barriers
- chemical factors
- Endocytic and phagocytic barriers
- biochemical barriers
Why do smokers develop respiratory infections, chronic bronchitis?
Failure in 1st line of defense: loss of ciliary action –> inflamed and chronically inhabited by bacteria
Physical and mechanical barriers
1st line of defense
- skin
- lining of GI, GU, respiratory tracts
- sloughing off of cells
- coughing & sneezing
- flushing
- vomiting
- mucus & cilia
Biochemical barriers
- Synthesized and secreted saliva, tears, earwax, sweat, and sebum
- sebaceous glands in skin secrete antibacterial and antifungal FAs and lactic acid
- perspiration, tears, saliva contain lysozome, which attacks cell walls of gram-positive bacteria (= acidic skin surface)
- Normal Flora – bacteria that live w/us, prevent other invaders. Our health depends on them in addition to our own genetic material *
What causes an “opportunistic infection”?
infection - taking advantage of weakened immune system
biochemical barriers and opportunistic infections
Antibiotics: subsequent vaginal infection, etc – b/c normal flora has been changed along w/ridding body of problem. in vaginal infections, protective lactobacillus is diminished leading to growth of other bacteria and yeast
Antimicrobial Peptides
- Biochemical barriers: proteins secreted by epithelial surfaces of body.
- 2 classes: Cathelicidins & Defensins
- class division based on structure
- high local concentrations. Toxic to several bacteria, fungi, viruses
Cathelicidins
- small cationic peptides that possess broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity
- linear alpha-helical shape
- only one known to function in humans
- stored in neutrophils, mast cells, variety of epithelial cells
Defensins
- Defensins are a family of small cationic, antibiotic peptides that contain six cysteines in disulfide linkage
- abundant in phagocytes and small intestinal mucosa
- about 50 different defensins ID’d thus far
Defensin structure
- triple-stranded ß-sheet structures
- 3 intrachain disulfide bonds
- Carboxy end and NH2 end
- Subdivided depending on how many cystein residues are connected in formation of disulfide linkages
- into alpha (at least 6 in humans) and beta (at least 10, but maybe up to 40) types
alpha vs beta defensins
- alpha
- often require activation by proteolytic enzymes
- esp in granules of neutrophils, paneth cells lining sm intestine
beta defensins: variety of epithelial cells lining respiratory, urinary, intestinal tracts, & skin.
- beta defensins
- synthesized in active forms
- Have antibacterial properties AND
- may also help protect epithelial cells from HIV!
- Both classes can activate cells of innate and adaptive immunity
how antimicrobial peptides kill bacteria
bacteria have cholesterol-free cell membranes - may allow cathelicidins to insert selves into and disrupt membranes
Defensins have similar chemical charge to cathelicidins and may work in same way
Physiologic Barriers
1st line of defense
- Temperature
- pH
- Oxygen Tension
1st line of defense: Temperature
- normal body temperature inhibits growth of most microorganisms.
- Elevated body temperature (fever) can have a direct effect on pathogenic microorganisms.
1st line of defense: pH
low pH of stomach, skin, & vagina (inhibits microbial growth)
1st line of defense: Oxygen Tension
particularly damaging to group of bacteria that prefer anaerobic environment. **e.g., diabetes –> poor circulation –> infection by anaerobes –> poor wound healing
Why chronic wound clinics use hyperbaric O2 chambers –> several hundred percent oxygen concentration to tissues
1st line of defense: chemical factors
a number
- Fatty acids, lactic acid
- Pepsin (digestive enzyme which hydrolyzes proteins)
- Lysozyme
1st line of defense: endocytosis
endocytic & phagocytic barriers
Lectins: definition
- proteins which specifically bind (or crosslink) carbohydrates
- involved in a variety of recognition processes
- exhibit considerable structural diversity.
- like flags sticking out of cell membranes*
- 2nd line of defense*
Types of lectins
- *Collectins**: Collectins are a family of collagenous calcium-dependent defence Lectins.(respiratory tract)
- *Selectins**: an important family of Lectins!
antimicrobial lectins: intestinal epithelium, against gram+ bacteria
Lectin forms & shapes
a variety!
Lectins & inflammation
- Release of Mediators into blood stream
- Release of Lectin like substances from the endothelial cells (b/c they sense inflammation)
- Lectin like substances slowing down the circulating leukocytes (expressed like little flags (lectin flag), slow leukocytes down – to come fight inflammation)
- Leukocytes get attached to the blood vessel wall near the site of inflammation
- Leukocytes leave the vessel and go to the site
Selectin: A Modified Lectin
- During an inflammatory response, some of the inflammatory mediators (such as histamine and thrombin) cause endothelial cells to mobilize P-selectin from stores inside the cell to the cell surface.
- P-Selectin has low affinity for a protein on the surface of leukocytes by the name of P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1)
Putting it together: you step on a nail. How do leukocytes know to come and participate/attack the invader?
Antigens invade. Area hot/red/inflamed. Inflammation causes endothelial cells to produce selectin flags (P-selectins). P-selectin-leukocyte interaction brings leukocytes
What is the selectin roll?
- Leukocytes are able to “roll” along the blood vessel wall during their adhesion cascade!
- As the leukocyte rolls, the distal Lectin-like domain of the Selectin binds to certain carbohydrate groups presented on proteins on the leukocyte (PSGL-1)
- Selectin attachment slows the leukocytes and allows it to leave the blood vessel and enter the site of infection.
- The “rolling action” is because of Selectin’s low affinity. (they’re able to attach, but then they let them go fight infection)
innate immunity: 2 lines of defense
natural barriers & inflammation
cells involved in first line of defense
epithelial
Cells involved in 2nd line of defense
inflammation:
mast cells, granulocyte (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils), monocytes/macrophages, natural Killer cells, PLTs, endothelial cells
Cells involved in adaptive immunity
T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells
Peptides involved in 1st line of defense/barriers
defensins, cathelicidins, collectins, lactoferrin, bacterial toxins
Peptides involved in inflammatory response
complement, clotting factors, kinins
Peptides involved in adaptive immunity
antibodies, complement
Where does inflammation occur?
tissue that has a blood supply
Cardinal Signals of inflammation
**redness: **vasodilation & increased BF
**heat: **” “
swelling: exudate (fluid & cells) accumulate
**pain: **PGs, bradykinin, pressure of exudate
Inflammation: 3 characteristic changes in microcirculation (arterioles, capillaries, venules)
- Vasodilation
- increased vascular permeability
- WBC adherence to inner walls of vessels and their migration through vessel walls to site of injury (diapedesis)
Describe Acute Inflammatory Response
- (usually) Cellular injury > mast cell degranulation / activation of 3 plasma systems / release of subcellular components from damaged cells.
- Interdependent systems: e.g., mast cell degran can result in other two
- leads to dvpt of microscopic changes in inflamed site AND characteristic clinical manifestations
What causes edema?
cap permeaility, leakage of plasma (also > viscous blood in microcirculation)
What causes warmth and redness of inflammation?
increased blood flow and increase in RBCs
What stimulates endothelial cells lining capillaries to retract during inflammation and what is the effect?
biochemical mediators (e.g., histamine, bradykinins, leukotrienes, PGs)
Effect: spaces at junctions btwn cells, allowing leukocytes and plsma to enter surrounding tissue
Inflammation: what do the cells and chemicals do together once in the tissues
- prevent infection/further damage
- contaminate microorganisms through
- influx of fluid to dilute toxins produced by bacteria and released by dying cells
- influx & activation of plasma protein systems that help destroy and contain bacteria (e.g., complement, clotting)
- influx of “eater” cells (neutrophils, macrophages) to destroy cell debris & infectious agents
- LImit & control inflammatory process (prevent spread)
* through influx of plasma protein systems (e.g., clotting), plasma enzymes, cells (e.g. eosinophils)
3. Interact with components of adaptive immune system to elicit specific response
- through influx of macrophages and lymphocytes
4. Prepare area of injury for healing - through removal of bacterial products, dead cells, other products of inflammation
- and initiation of mechanisms of healing & repair
Role of lymph nodes in adaptive immunity
microbial Ags in lymphatic fluid activate B & T lymphocytes
Phases of inflammation and repair
- cell injury
- Acute inflammation
- healing or chronic inflammation
- healing or granuloma formation
- healing
Type of cell does most work in inflammatory response
leukocyte
Types of leukocytes
neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, lymphocytes, macrophages, mast cells, and basophils.
What is an inflammatory mediator?
molecules inside and outside your body that play a role in inflammation.
endotoxin
- an “exogenous” inflammatory mediator, called endotoxin, or lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
- present in the outer covering of some types of bacteria, and signals to immune cells that there are bacteria present, causing an increase in inflammation.
Selectin Roll image (good to know)
PMN: neutrophil
Rolling: L-selectin, P-selectin, E-selectin
Margination: Integrin alpha4beta1 (VLA4) & alpha4beta7, VCAM-1
Diapedesis: integrin aLB2 (LFA-1), integrin aMB2 (MAC-1), PCAM-1, ICAM-1, ICAM-2, PCAM-1
Neutrophil Adhesion and Chemotaxis in inflammatory response (image)
Selectin mediates neutrophil attraction & attachment
Rolling & sticking initially mediated by selectin then integrins
CAM molecules help enter tissue, spread, extravasate
How does the body recognize inflammatory mediators?
Toll-like receptors: on surface of our cells. Can sense presence of several different microbial stimuli
How are macrophages activated during inflammation?
by various immune system molecules (such as cytokines, including interferons, or IFNs), endotoxin, or by other microbial signals.
chemical message! not selectin like leukocytes