Immunology related stuff Flashcards

1
Q

Roles of blood

A

Transports/distributes stuff
Regulates pH, pressure, osmolaty, temp, electrolytes/ions.
Communicates e.g. via hormones
Defence e.g. via plasma cells, neutrophils, etc.

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2
Q

What does the blood carry/its components

A

55% plasma - sugars, hormones, water, ions, urea, cholesterol, proteins.
45% WBC, RBC, platelets.

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3
Q

What can be determined from a blood sample/how

A

Centrifuge to separate plasma from cells. Add EDTA, citrates, etc. - calculate PVC and blood cell count.
Centrifuge again to give haematocrit - RBC: total blood volume, should be 40-50%.
Allow blood to clot and measure clotting time. Centrifuge again to separate clotting factors from serum.

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4
Q

What blood products can be obtained from a blood sample

A

Blood plasma
Complete blood
Platelet rich plasma
Packed RBC

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5
Q

What can a blood sample tell you about the patient

A

Kidney function - ions, urea
Respiratory function - O2/CO2
Endocrines - hormones
Pathology - WBCs

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6
Q

Cholesterol

A

HDL is GOOD
LDL is BAD
Total cholesterol/HDL = risk of heart disease.

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7
Q

Features of inflammation

A
Red
Hot
Swelling
Pain
Loss of function
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8
Q

Acute inflammation vc chronic

A

Acute = fast, involves neutrophils, prominent and local signs, mild tissue damage.

Chronic = slow, involves plasma cells lymphocytes and phagocytes, few signs but severe and progressive tissue damage. Cycles of repair and destruction.

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9
Q

Acute inflammation - vascular events

A

Vasoconstriction - to reduce blood loss
Vasodilation - site goes red and warm
Vascular permeability - swelling due to oedema
Vascular stasis - loss of fluid so viscous and slow blood flow.

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10
Q

Acute inflammation - cellular response

A

Slow blood flow due to vascular events so immune cells move to walls of the vessel.
Cells adhere to epithelial cells (pavementation) and emigrate between them into the tissue.
Cells aggregate around the site of inflammation and carry out their role e.g. phagocytosis.

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11
Q

Outcomes of inflammation

A

Complete resolution - tissue returns back to normal and doesn’t lose any function.
Healing by fibrosis - Fibroblasts and epithelial cells mature and move to the site of inflammation and produce collagen. Loss of function e.g. muscle can’t contract bc of the non-elastic fibrous tissue.
Chronic inflammation - cycles of healing then destruction e.g. causes of inflammation not resolved.

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12
Q

Causes of chronic inflammation

A

Continuous low-grade stimuli
Autoimmune problem e.g. body attacks self
Prolonged exposure to toxins

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13
Q

Features of chronic inflammation

A

Diff cells - plasma cells, lymphocytes, phagocytes
Minimal vascular changes
Scar tissue due to granulation cells in vessels (fibroblasts etc)

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14
Q

Routes of transmission of infection

A
Horizontal = via the air, water, etc to a large group
Verticle = via contact, sperm, genes, etc. to an individual.
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15
Q

Requirements of infection

A

Reach/enter host
Adhere and colonise
Evade host defences

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16
Q

How can a pathogen adhere to its host

A

Pili w/ adhesion molecule on the tip can attach to host surface.
Polysaccarides bind to artificial surfaces - important in biofilm production.
Surface proteins on pathogen bind to host’s proteins/glycoproteins.

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17
Q

Colonization of pathogens

A

Motility is important bc allows pathogen o move through biofilm etc.
Pili can be used for sex.
Biofilms increase resistance to antibiotics and immune cells.

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18
Q

How can a pathogen evade the host’s defenses

A

Stopping phagocytosis
- Escape from phagosome into the cytoplasm
- Capsule stops phagocyte engulfing it
- Stops lysosomes fusing with the phagosome
- Resists action of lytic enzymes
- Kills phagocyte using toxins
Releases enzymes that breakdown antibodies and other immune cells/proteins.
Release factors that block the complementary site on the antibody, etc.
Mask surface antigens e.g. using a capsule.
Hides in sites that immune cells don’t reach well.
Changes its antigens or covers itself w the body’s antigens.

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19
Q

Methods of sterilisation

A

Heat
- dry/hot air oven = 160 degrees, 60 mins
- wet/autoclave = 121, 15mins, 15 or 134, 30mins, 3.
Radiation
Chemicals e.g. formaldehyde.

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20
Q

Methods of disinfection

A

Need to clean first so that chemicals/agent etc can reach everywhere.
Heat - boil for 15 mins
Chemicals

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21
Q

Innate immunity

A
Non-specific
Present from birth/instinct
Doesn't rely on immune recognition
Not long-lasting
1st line of defense
Includes barriers, serum proteins and phagocytic cell
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22
Q

Active immunity

A
Specific
Quicker response
Longer lasting
Response and memory rely on antigen recognition
Needs immune cells e.g. lymphocytes etc.
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23
Q

What is an Ab (immune)

A

Antibody = specific/ binds to the epitope of an Ag (foreign protein that ilicists an immune response)

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24
Q

Humoral

A

Cell and soluble proteins

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25
Q

Where do immune cells develop from

A

Pluripotent stem cells differentiate into mulitipotent cells and then into unipotent stem cells in the bone marrow.
These differentaite into blood cells and some end up in tissues.

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26
Q

Immune system cells size

A

10-14 µm, apart from monocytes (14-24 µm)

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27
Q

Types of immune system cells

A
Neutrophils
Monocytes
Macrophages
Basophils
Eosinophils
Mast cells
B-lymphocytes
T-lymphocytes
Natural killer cells
28
Q

Neutrophils

A

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes
Innate immunity
Phagocytosis:
- Primary granules contain acid hydrolases and proteins to degrade the macrophage.
- Secondary granules contain lysozyme.
- Have Fc and complement receptors
- Secrete superoxides and toxins to kill.

29
Q

Monocytes

A
Mononuclear leukocytes
Innate and active immunity.
Phagocytosis to remove foreign and dead material using lysosomes.
Have Fc, complement receptors, etc.
GRT macrophages
30
Q

Macrophages

A

Mononuclear leukocytes
Innate and active immunity.
Phagocytosis and Ag-presenting.

31
Q

Basophils

A

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes
Deal with parasites and allergic reactions.
Very similar to mast cells.
Lead to the release of histamine and IgE.

32
Q

Eosinophils

A

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes
Parasites and allergic reactions.
= Histamine released, neutrophils and causes bronchospasms.

33
Q

Mast cells

A

Very similar to basophils.
For allergic reactions and parasites.
Causes release of histamine and IgE.

34
Q

B-lymphocytes

A

Mononuclear leukocytes
Active immunity
Recognise Ag on APC and produce antibodies by differentiating into plasma cells and differentiate into memory cells (Bm)

35
Q

T-lymphocytes

A
Mononuclear leukocytes
Active immunity
- Help to produce antibodies (Th2)
- Release toxins to kill cells (Tc)
- Kill intercellular pathogens (Th1)
- Regulate immune response (T reg)
36
Q

Natural killer cells

A

Induce apoptosis e.g. in virally infected cells and tumor cells.

37
Q

What are the main immune cells in the blood (by quantity)

A

Neutrophils (65%)

B/T-Lymphocytes and NK cells (25%)

38
Q

Types of soluble immune factors

A

Immunoglobin Antibodies
Complements, C’
Cytokines
Chemokines

39
Q

What are Ig and different types

A
Soluble serum proteisn bound to B-cells as part of their antigen receptor.
IgG
IgA
IgM
IgD
IgE
40
Q

IgG

A

The normal one (one heavy chain, hinge region and 2 light chains)

41
Q

IgA

A

Secretory e.g. in saliva, milk, etc.
Has a secretory component and a J chain.
Can be dimer or monomer

42
Q

IgM

A

Basically 6 IgG’s bound by a J chain.
Too large to cross endothelium so stays in blood.
Usually makes primary contact w Ag.

43
Q

IgD

A

Bound to mature B-cells

44
Q

IgE

A

V strong IgE receptor on mast cells and basophils so they’re always very concentrated w IgE.
When IgE binds to Ag, histamine is released.
For allergic reactions and parasites.

45
Q

What are C’ and how can they be activated.

A

A protein that kills but need to be activated to be functional.
3 pathways
1. Classical = Ab binds to Ag on the microbe.
2. Alternative = C’ binds to the microbe.
3. Lectin = Mannose binds to lectin on the microbe.

46
Q

Cytokines and different types

A
Protein secreted by immune and non-immune cells. Directs the immune response.
INF
IL1, 2
CSF
TNF
47
Q

INF

A

Interferon cytokine.
Viruses resistance to non-infected cells to reduce spread.
Secreted by infected cells and by activated Th1.

48
Q

IL1 and 2

A

Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflmmatory.
Increase or dampen the immune response.
Tell cells what to do e.g. secrete, differentiate, divide.

49
Q

CSF

A

Colony stimulating factor.

Affects dividing and differentiation of bone marrow stem cells.

50
Q

TNF

A

Tumour necrosis factor

mediate inflammation and cytotoxic reactions.

51
Q

Chemokines

A

Proteins that direct cell movements e.g. attract specific cells to the site of inflammation or infection.

52
Q

Barriers in innate immunity

A

Physical e.g. skin, skin secretions (low pH)
Physiological e.g. pH, temp.
Mucosal membrane e.g. saliva, mucous, cilia beating, tears.

53
Q

What does a breach in barrier result in

A

Damage to cells/infection = inflammation, immune cells brought to the site.
Hallmarks = increased blood supply, vascular permeability and extravasation.

54
Q

Acute response to barrier breach.

A
  1. Coaggulation
  2. Inflammation
  3. Immune cells etc do their job e.g. bacteria killed, waste removed, toxins neutralised, etc.
  4. Repair
  5. Back to normal.
55
Q

How does the body sense microbes

A

Complement e.g: -
- increase opsonisation so more phagocytosis.
- Chemotaxis so phagcytes move more to site of infection.
- Cell lysis by directly attacking membrane.
TLR and PRR recognise PAMP (Toll-like receptors, pattern recognition receptors, pathogen associated molecule patterns)

56
Q

Events in extravasation

A

Charge on endothelium stops the WBCs slowing down and sticking until they are told to.
GAGs on the surface of the endothelial cells make them sticky and slow down the WBCs
Chemokines in the endothelial cells attract the WBCs so permanent adhesion (between adhesion molecules on endothelial cells and integrins on WBCs)
WBC migrate through the endothelium by following the dradient made by the chemokines (more chemokines by the site of inflammtion)

57
Q

Mechanisms of killing

A

O2 independent = lysosomes, proteins, acids, TNF

O2 dependent = Reactive oxygen intermediates, free radicals, nitric oxide

58
Q

How does nitric oxide affect the body (immune system related)

A

vasodilator, anti-microbia, increases extravasation

59
Q

Inflammatory accessory molecules

A

C reactive protein and mannose binding lectin cause opsonisation and activate C’
Surfactant protein reduces virus’ ability to infect cell walls.

60
Q

Cell-mediated adaptive immunity requirements

A

Intimate contact so can recognise and kill cells directly.
MHC, intracellular and extracellular antigens to recognise self and non-self.
T-cells only work on bound antigens e.g. not soluble.
T-cells, B-cells and MHC all play roles.

61
Q

What happens to the T/B cells that recognise self?

A

Killed while in the thymus or bone marrow = selection

62
Q

How does MHC work and what are the different class’s

A

Self and non-self proteins displayed on membrane = invasion alert.
Class 1 = Intrinsic e.g. viruses. Acts on all cells. Responds by differentiating into a Tc and directly killing.
Class 2 = Extrinsic. Acts on APCs. Responds by becoming a Th and aiding B-cells.

63
Q

What is needed for T-cell activation/Ag recognition

A

TCR needs to recognise Ag and CD4 or 8 and the can bind to MHC and be activated.
T-cell also secrest IL2 which binds to the IL2 receptor on the t-cell (endocrine) and makes cell differentiate, divide, etc.

64
Q

What are the different fates of a naive T-cell

A

Naive cell + CD8 = Tc and directly kills cells (apoptosis and releases proteolytic granules)
Naive cell + CD4:
- w/ lots of IL12 = Th1 (acts directly on cells e.g. apoptosis and recognises Ag on infected cell using MHC and TCR)
- w/ little IL12 (cytokine) = Th2 (helps B-cells make Ab)

65
Q

What is clonal expansion

A

Proliferation of cells

66
Q

Ab effector functions

A

Binds to toxins and neutralises it.
Increases optonisation.
Activate complements
Links innate and adaptive immunity