Lectures 1 and 2: introduction Flashcards
What is the immune system
Combination of cells and proteins that fight foreign invaders
The cellular and molecular immune mechanisms allow the effector mechanisms to do what
Distinguish between self and non-self and eliminate non-self
When the immune self loses ability to distinguish between self and non-self what is the result
Autoimmunity
What is the microbiota made up
Bacteria, Arachae and fungi that are normally inhabiting the body
Where is microbiota located in body
Present on skin and mucosal surfaces
What are some functions of the microbiota
Occupies site that could be colonized by a pathogen, competes with pathogen for nutrients, produce toxins that kill pathogens, aid in host digestion of food products
Self
Normal body constituents expressed by healthy cells, marked with MHC
Non-self
Cells/molecules to which the immune system has no prior exposure during maturation or does not normally encounter, foreign cells/substances
No MHC marker
Pathogen
Causes disease
Opportunistic pathogen
Pathogens that don’t typically causes disease but can under the right conditions
Ex: patient on antibiotics and develops C-diff
What are the characteristics of the innate immune system
Rapid response to non-self in a non-specific manner
Does the innate immune system protect us against pathogens or non-pathogens
Non-pathogens
What recognizes a pathogen in the innate immune system
Pattern recognition receptors
What is included in the cellular mediate innate immune response
Neutrophils, macrophages, mast cells, lymphoid cells, basophils, eosinophils
What is included in the humoral mediated innate immune response
Complement, natural antibodies, acute phase proteins, antimicrobial peptides, soluble lectins
What are some characteristics of adaptive immunity
Acquired immunity, antigen specific response that are adapted to the specific pathogen. Slow, enhanced by repeated exposure
What are the barrier defenses of the innate immune system
Ski, mucosal epithelium with tight junctions, goblet cells, mucociliary escalator
Why is the skin an effective defense barrier
Acidic, dry, sloughing off cells, lyzozymes, normal microbiota
What is the function of goblet cells in defense of pathogens
Secrete mucous and prevent bacteria from reaching epithelial cell surface
How does mucociliary blanket prevent bacteria from breaching epithelial layer
Ciliated epithelial cells that line the airways, coated with mucous that traps pathogens and moves up and out of lungs
If microbes breach the epithelial layer what is the 2nd line of defense
White blood cells- phagocytic cells like macrophages and DC’s, neutrophils, NK,
Complement system
Cytokines
What is the complement system
Serum proteins that trigger inflammatory response and initiate phagocytosis
What are cytokines
Proteins made by immune cells to coordinate attack on invading pathogen
PAMP
Pathogen associated molecular patternw
What are examples of PAMPS
LTA, LPS, TA, CpG, viral RNA, flagellin
What is CpG DNA
C followed by G in sequence, methylated in mammals, unmethylated in bacteria
TLR4 binding to LPS
LPS (-) binds to LBP which then binds CD14 and then TLR4 with MD-2. Acts on transcription factors and initiates an immune response with inflammatory cytokines