Introduction Flashcards
Immunology
study of the immune system
Clinical Immunology
function of the human immune system
Immunity
desirable state of protection against pathogens
Phagocytes
recognise, engulf and destroy microbes by phagocytosis
e.g. neutrophils and macrophages
B-cells
differentiate into antibody-secreting plasma cells
T-cells
differentiate into:
~ cytotoxic T-cells = kill virus-infected host cells
~ helper T-cells = assist with B-cell differentiation
Dendritic cells
part of immune surveillance, collecting and presenting foreign antigens to the immune system to initiate a response
Self-tolerance
eliminates recognition molecules that recognise self-antigens and ensures host tissues and cells are not attacked
PAMPs
Pathogen-associated molecular patterns = evolutionarily conserved structures on pathogens
Inflammatory response
Immune cells, molecules and fluid are attracted to the site of infection
Clonal selection
stem cells continuously generate clones with different cell surf receptors, many are deleted, only those that engage antigen are selected for expansion and maturation
Secondary lymphatic organs
where B and T-cells encounter antigens, become activated, expand in number ad differentiate into effector cells
MALT
Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue = large, dispersed and protected vulnerable mucosal surfaces e.g. gut, lung
Hinge region
open region in antibody. site of d=segmental flexibility
CD system
Cluster of differentiation system = unified nomenclature for describing immune-associated surface molecules
Cytokines
small protein messengers used to send signals between immune cels and generate a response by signal transduction
~ show: synergy, antagonism, redundancy, pleiotropy and cascade induction
Chemokines
cause movement of their target towards the source of the chemokine
Synergy
cytokines come together and amplify response
Antagonism
cytokines work against each other
Redundancy
the state of being not or no longer useful
Pleiotropy
the production by a single gene of two or more apparently unrelated effects
