Lecture 1: Introduction Flashcards
What is the most significant disease to be eradicated from vaccination immunological development?
Smallpox 1980
What are some examples of successful immunisation campaigns?
Diptheria
Polio
Measles
Describe the types of immunological memory;
Genetic
or
Epigenetic
Describe immunological memory in terms of genetic causation;
Primary response can result in;
Gene rearrangement
Clonal expansion
Memory population
Rechallenge leads to antigen dependant memory population protection
Describe immunological memory in terms of epigenetic causation;
Primary response can result in;
Epigenetic modification of genes encoding immunological and inflammatory products
Rechallenge leads to antigen dependent protection
What are the three phases of an immune response?
Pre-existing innate immunity
Induced innate immunity
Induced adaptive immunity
What is innate immunity?
Defences that exist to protect the body to prevent infection i.e skin, mucous
or
defences that are activated following an event i.e trauma that may have led to infection. I.e innate immune cells are directed to a skin lesion regardless if infection is present or not, to prevent infection.
Describe the evolution of innate immunity;
- Fundamental defensive weapon for multicellular organisms.
- Must be versatile against a spectrum of pathogens
- Molecular mechanisms are highly conserved across species.
Describe the nature of the immune response;
If homeostasis is disturbed i.e trauma, cancer, infection then the immune system responds to help restore balance.
Describe some pathogens;
Range of shapes and sizes; worms protozoa fungi bacteria viruses
What is the function of the immune system?
To protect us from pathogens, it is ubiquitous.
Why did the immune system evolve?
Pathogens are everywhere in the environment and can reproduce in humans therefore if left unchecked then they can cause permanent damage or be lethal
What is the immune system an example of in biology?
An exploratory system mediated by chemical variations (signalling)
How does the environment influence pathogen development?
Environmental pressures lead to the selection of traits in pathogen development that favour reproduction in tissues, therefore the immune system must continually evolve to fight the evolving pathogens
What are the types of mammalian immune responses?
Innate and adaptive.
These systems are extensively interconnected and form a continuum that is known as the immune response
Describe the interplay of adaptive and innate immunity?
innate and adaptive immunity can activate and potentiate one another.
Innate immunity holds pathogens in check until adaptive is ready to function
How does innate immunity achieve its response?
non-specifically and broadly specific response