Intro to immuno Flashcards
What is the role of the immune system?
Detect and respond to threat, minimising damage.
W/ memory incase of future infection
What 3 things does the IS combat?
Microorganisms
Substances
Tissue damage
What is essential for normal function of the immune system?
The ability to distinguish self from non-self to prevent autoimmune activity
As well as self and non-self, what else must the IS recognise?
Abnormal-self (cancer)
What is the reason the immune system must be so quick and adaptable?
Generation times; bacterial gen time is much shorter than our own, so they can replicate and adapt faster.
What does the host exert on a pathogen, resulting in pressure on the host?
Selection pressure
What are the 2 ways danger can be recognised by the IS?
Germ-line encoded: genes code for hundred of specific molecular pattern receptors present on many cells.
Random recombination: millions of receptors created by recombination of gene segments
What are the benefits of each danger recognition receptor type?
Germ Line: Many cells have them so very quick
Random Recombination: Very diverse, so recognise many different structures
What are the disadvantages of each danger recognition receptor?
Germ-line: Limited diversity, so some pathogens not recognised
Random Recombination: Expressed by few cells, so must replicate; takes time
May accidentally cause autoimmunity
What 2 types of molecular pattern may a Pattern Recognition Receptor recognise?
PAMPs (Pathogen associated Molecular patterns)
DAMPs (Damage Associated Molecular patterns)
Give a few examples of DAMPs
DNA, ATP, Collagens etc…
Gave a few examples of PAMPs
Bacteria: Flagellin, Peptidoglycans
Virus: dsRNA, Envelope glycoprotein
Fungus: Beta-glycans, mannoproteins
What are Antigen-specific receptors? Name the types.
Recombinant gene segmants in lymphocyte leads to creation of unique specific receptor formation.
B-Cells, T-Cells
What is the difference between B-cells and T-cells?
B-cells bind to intact antigens with cell-surface receptors
T-cells bind to presented antigen fragments (epitopes)
What is innate immunity?
Used pattern recognition receptors, so independent of antigen exposure. Present from both, buys time for adaptive immunity
