Immunology of reproduction Flashcards
why is it easier for the reproductive tract to get an infection
- it is connected to the exterior of the body
Why must the reproductive system be sterile?
necessary for proper function
what are the types of immune responses/systems for the reproductive tract?
- physical barrier (cervix, mucus, pH)
- Phagocytes (neutrophils, macrophages)
- B lymphocytes (antibodies)
- T lymphocytes (infected host bacteria)
What is involved in the innate immune system?
- macrophages, neutrophils, natural-killer cells
- foreign bodies, antibody coat, complement
- absence of class I MNC
What is involved in an acquired immune system?
- B and T lymphocytes
- Immunoglobulin receptor or T cell receptor
- Cell mediated and humoral response
- memory
What are three types of phagocytes?
- macrophage
- dendritic cell
- neutrophil
What are 5 types of lymphocytes?
- B lymphocytes
- Th1 T helper lymphocytes
- Th2 T helper lymphocytes
- cytotoxic T lymphocyte
- Gamma-delta T lymphocyte
What do macrophages do?
phagocytosis; antigen presentation
What do dendritic cells do?
endocytosis and phagocytosis; antigen presentation
What do neutrophils do?
phagocytosis
what do B lymphocytes do?
secretion of antibody; antigen presentation
what do Th1 T helper lymphocytes do?
secretion of cytokines that stimulate macrophages and cytotoxic T cells
what do Th2 T helper lymphocytes do?
secretion of cytokines that stimulate B cells and antibody responses
what do cytotoxic T lymphocytes do?
lysis of target cells
What do Gamma-delta T lymphocytes do?
lysis of target cells; secretion of cytokines and growth factor
what are the components of the immune system in the reproductive tract?
- vagina (bacterial flora)
- Cervix (lactoferrin + mucus/plug)
- Leukocytes (T and B cells, NK, neutrophils, macrophages + inflammation, vasodilation, vascular permeability)
- Lymphatic system (Drainage)
How is the immune system regulated?
- ovarian steroid hormones
- regulatory molecules in seminal plasma (male)
- autocrine and paracrine factors from the uterus and conceptus
What ovarian hormones regulate the immune system?
estrogen and progesterone
What are the immuno-regulatory molecules in seminal plasma?
- sperm antigenicity
- neutrophil mediated
What do autocrine and paracrine factors from the uterus and conceptus do?
maintains conceptus
What is a more immune responsive state? estrus or diestrus?
estrus
What is a pregnancy mediated response?
mechanisms that prevent the destruction of the fetus by a suppression or attenuation of the immune response
What contributes to the attenuation of the immune response?
conceptus and maternal factors
How is the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) regulated for antigens on the trophoblast
- MHC class 1 presented by most cells is turned off in the outer layers of the trophoblast (contact with endometrium epithelium)
