Inflammation and Immune Functions

Question 1

INNATE IMMUNITY

Answer 1

The defense mechanisms we are born with

1st line of defense: physical barriers - immediate, non-specific
2nd line of defense: inflammation - immediate, non-specific
Natural resistance to some infectious agents that cause illness in other species

Question 2

ACQUIRED IMMUNITY

Answer 2

Being able to resist certain diseases or conditions from immunocyte involvement.

These responses are delayed and specific

Question 3

PHYSICIAL/MECHANICAL/BIOCHEMICAL BARRIERS

Answer 3

Innate resistance

Skin and glands - desquamation of skin (shedding of skin cells), sweat secretion (antibacterial and antifungal properties)

Can be breached by lacerations, abrasions, punctures

Question 4

MEMBRANE/GLAND BARRIERS

Answer 4

Eye’s defenses: tears drain into lacrimal ducts, washing eye out regularly
Can be breached by:
Dry eye syndrome - manufacturing of tears slows down
Sjogren’s syndrome

Respiratory system: mucus traps bacteria, wax in ears, cilia cells in bronchi sweep away foreign materials, cough reflex
Can be breached by: cigarette smoking, and cough reflex suppression (head injury, stroke)

Gastrointestinal system: saliva contains protective enzymes, stomach has HCl, gag reflex/vomiting, bowels contain good flora
Can be breached by: sjorgens, anything that changes gut bacteria/flora

Genitourinary system: urine washes away microbes, vaginal secretions slightly acidic
Can be breached by: decreased urine flow, kidney stones, kidney failure, any change in vaginal acidity

Question 5

SJORGEN’S SYNDROME

Answer 5

Autoimmune disease that dries up all lubricating fluids in the body

Question 6

INFLAMMATION

Answer 6

Innate defense characterized by: immediate and nonspecific reactions, manifested by swelling, heat, redness (erythema), and pain.

Question 7

ANTIGENS

Answer 7

Proteins that can stimulate immunocyte reaction against them

Question 8

ANTIBODIES

Answer 8

Group of proteins that respond with specificity according to the type of antigen that invades the body
IgG, IgA, IgE, etc.

Question 9

IMMUNOCYTE RESPONSE

Answer 9

A state of acquired defense characterized by being delayed and specific (only full response to certain microbes that takes time to develop).
T-lymphocytes (T cells), B-lymphocytes (B cells)

Question 10

T-LYMPHOCYTES

Answer 10

T cells - defend the body by direct attack against invading microbes

Question 11

B-LYMPHOCYTES

Answer 11

B cells - differentiate into plasma cells –> plasma cells differentiate into plasma cells –> plasma cells create antibodies toward specific microbes –> antibodies now remember that specific microbe

Question 12

ACTIVE ACQUIRED IMMUNITY

Answer 12

One’s own immunocyte system develops the antibodies that establish immunity - naturally or artificially

Natural: person’s plasma cells build up antibodies in response to a microbially-induced illness

Artificial: person’s plasma cells build up antibodies in response to receiving inoculations of a much-weakened or inactive microbe

Question 13

PASSIVE ACQUIRED IMMUNITY

Answer 13

Given someone else’s antibodies, they did NOT develop the antibodies on their own - naturally or artificially

Natural: occurs when there is a transfer of antibodies from mom to baby via the placenta (MatAb), or breast milk (MatAb)

Artificial: when antibodies are injected during treatment as a stop-gap measure until active immunity can development

Advantage: powerful immediate way to fight disease
Disadvantage: only lasts as long as the antibody lasts, about 2 weeks, the antibody degrades

Question 14

INFLAMMATION/INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE

Answer 14

Facilitates the shifting of substances from blood INTO injured/irritated tissue to “clean up” the area and begin the clotting process, and stimulate and enhance immunocyte response

Question 15

“-ITIS”

Answer 15

Nomenclature in many cases, as an inflammation to an area

Question 16

COMPONENTS OF INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE

Answer 16

Step 1: Irritation/injury of tissue triggers “leakiness” of cells from disruption of metabolic pathway, mast cell degranulation, capillaries in the area swell up and relax (vasodilation) - leak plasma from blood into tissue containing neutrophils, clotting factors, and fibrin.

Step 2: the neutrophils and macrophages phagocytize any dirt, debris, dying tissue, and/or microbes. Creates a thick fluid called exudate

Step 3: macrophages will need help from lymphocytes by using chemotactic substances. Helps kill microbes and creating new immunity

Step 4: Clotting factors, platelets, and fibrin come together and creating healing, granulating tissue.

Question 17

DEGRANULATION

Answer 17

Leaking of chemical “granules” called inflammatory mediators such as leukotrienes, histamine, and prostaglandins

Question 18

ACUTE PHASE REACTANTS

Answer 18

CRP (c-reactive protein), circulating prostaglandins, kinins, cytokines

Question 19

LOCAL INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE

Answer 19

Laceration or abrasion of skin, appendicitis, pleuritis, thyroiditis

Question 20

SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE

Answer 20

Like a local response but more leukocytes and acute phase reactants are needed, generally leads to sepsis

S&S: malaise, aches and pains, fever, vasodilation leads to low blood pressure

Lab tests show leukocytosis, and neutrophilia.
WBC 15,000 K/ul (normal ~ 5 to 10,000)
Neutrophils 88% (normal ~ 50% - 75%)
Elevated serum CRP

Question 21

“NOT ENOUGH” INFLAMMATION

Answer 21

Abnormality of inflammation creates:

Defect in phagocytic functions: leukopenia (deficiency in WBCs), neutropenia (deficiency in neutrophils)
Chemotactic defects
Impaired function

Question 22

“TOO MUCH” INFLAMMATION

Answer 22

Abnormality of inflammation creates:

Inflammation going into overdrive and/or becomes chronic, such as septic shock and chronic inflammation disorder

Question 23

SIRS - SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE SYNDROME

Answer 23

Wide spread systemic inflammation occurs in the entire body, not just in the original injured or inflamed area.

Impaired tissue function and organ damage

SIRS is present when (S&S): mental status change, fever of 100.4 or more, increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate, abnormal WBC

Question 24

SEPSIS

Answer 24

SIRS + infection

Question 25

SEPTIC SHOCK

Answer 25

Sepsis + low blood pressure (below 80 or 90 systolic)

Widespread, extreme vasodilation leading to no arterial tone. Blood pools in periphery instead of through circulation

S&S - malaise, fever, leukocytosis, elevated CRP and ESR, low BP leads to ischemia to organs, altered mental function