Manipulation of the Immune Response Flashcards
Why are multiple vaccinations “boosters” needed?
Vaccines often don’t stimulate the immune system strongly enough to confer protective immunity. Each booster leads to a greater and longer lasting response by the immune system
What is the composition of DTaP?
Diphtheria toxoid, tetanus toxoid and an inactivated pertussis bacteria
What is the advantage of combining the pertussis bacteria with the diphtheria and tetanus toxoids?
The presence of the bacteria stimulates an improved response to the toxins (presumably by upregulating B7 expression by antigen presenting cells).
Side effect: it produces more inflammation and discomfort at the site of injection
Name 4 different antigen sources for vaccines
Killed/inactivated pathogen
Toxoid
Viral subunits
Live attenuated virus
What type of immunity must be produced for intracellular infections?
Cell mediated immunity
What type of cytokine must be produced for fungal infections?
IL17
What type of response must be generated against toxins and organisms that resist phagocytosis?
B cell responses
What type of response must be generated against viruses?
Both T and B cells should coordinate to fight off viruses
What are the pros and cons of dead/inactivated pathogens?
Pros: safe, more stable than attenuated antigens
Cons: Weaker cell mediated response, boosters required + sometimes contaminants are present
What are the pros and cons of live attenuated pathogen vaccines?
Pros: better cell-mediated responses
Cons: Reversion- risk of infecting immunocompromised people, less stable
What are the pros and cons of using molecular components for a vaccine?
Pros: no living pathogen, very stable
Cons: fewer epitopes, weaker cell mediated response
What is the “basic tenet of tumor immunology”?
Malignant cells are “different” and can be recognized by immune cells. Malignant cells can be attacked by immune effectors thru recognition of tumor associated antigens which are; mutant proteins, overexpressed proteins or modified “altered-self” proteins
If the immune system can recognize and destroy tumor cells, then why does cancer grow?
Either 1) the tumor cell is not recognized by the immune system or 2) it has developed a mechanism to thwart activation of an immune response to it
What makes up tumor antigens?
Tumor antigens are usually self-proteins modified or selectively over-expressed by a tumor
What is GP-100?
GP-100 is the melanocyte specific antigen- antibodies against GP-100 will eliminate all melanocytes (both melanoma and healthy melanocytes)
Name three vectors for the delivery of tumor-specific antigens
1) Retroviral
2) Conventional adjuvants (alum)
3) Dendritic cells