intro to immunology (W10) Flashcards
immune system organs?
lymph nodes
spleen
bone marrow
thymus
immune system molecules + descriptions
complement - system of soluble serum proteins
cytokines - immune messenger hormones (chemokines - specialise in cell movement)
antibodies
categories of immune system cells
leukocytes (all immune cells):
-innate cells
-adaptive cells
types of innate leucocytes?
macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, mast cells
types of adaptive leucocytes?
T cells
B cells
lymphocytes
primary lymphoid organs?
bone marrow
thymus (T-cells)
where does the thoracic duct drain
subclavian vein
what are lymph nodes
highly organised accumulations of immune cells at lymphatic junctions
cytokines that are released from virally-infected cells
IFN-alpha
IFN-beta
(IFN = interferon)
what does the release of IFN-alpha/beta cause in neighbouring cells
neighbouring cells also releases IFN-alpha and beta.
upregulates antigen presentation
downregulation of intracellular machinery important for viral replication
what does upregulation of antigen presentation mean and why does this occur?
sample of everything made in that cell presented on surface for immune cells to detect
makes it easier for them to detect if there is an intercellular infection
go to treatment in Hepatitis B virus infection?
synthetic IFN-alpha administration
what is danger recognised by
innate immune system
what is self/non-self recognised by
adaptive immune response
what is needed to get an adaptive immune response
danger and non-self
types of danger signals?
PAMPs - pathogen associated molecular patterns
DAMPs - damage associated molecular patterns
what are PAMPs
pathogen associated molecular patterns:
types of molecules only produced by infectious agents essential for survival (eg bacterial cell wall constituents)
what are DAMPs
damage associated molecular patterns:
molecules associated from injured cells (eg DNA, RNA, things that should be INSIDE a healthy cell)
how do innate immune cells recognise danger signals (PAMPs and DAMPs)
pattern recognition receptors (PRR) recognise PAMPs and DAMPs
example of PRRs?
toll-like receptors (TLR1 to TLR10)
TLR3 function?
binds double stranded RNA (only present in viruses)
TLR4 function?
binds LPS (bacterial cell wall)
TLR5 function?
binds flagellin (flagellated bacteria)
differences between innate and adaptive immune system
innate: responds to danger signals, rapid generic response, communicates danger to adaptive
adaptive: differentiates self/non-self, slow (peaks 6/7 days) highly specific response, memory to previous antigens
types of T cell?
CD4+ T helper cell
CD8+ Cytotoxic T lymphocyte
