Microbiology Immunology Flashcards
Name and describe the three lines of defense
Lines of Defense
- Skin and mucous membranes
-
Innate (natural) immunity
- Functions immediately after microbial infiltration
- Nonspecific targeting of antigens
-
No memory: Does NOT arise from previous infection or vaccination
- Natural killer (NK) cells
- Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs)
- Macrophages
- Complement system
- Nonspecific enzymes (cytokines, lysozyme, etc)
-
Acquired (adaptive) immunity
- Functions days after microbial infiltration
- Specific targeting of antigens
- Exhibits diversity: Responds to millions of unique antigens
- Memory: improves on multiple exposure to microorganism
- Two types of acquired immunity
- Cell-mediated: T cells
- Antibody-mediated (humoral): B cells, antibodies
Name and describe the two classifications of acquired immunity
Classification of Acquired Immunity
-
Active
- Mediators: Antibodies and T cells
- Occurs after exposure to foreign antigens
- Slow onset (days)
- Lasts a long time (years)
- Ex: Previous microbial infection, Vaccination with live attenuated or killed antigens
-
Passive
- Mediators: Antibodies
- Occurs after exposure to preformed antibodies from another host
- Immediate onset
- Short duration (months)
- Ex: Pregnancy (IgG), Breast feeding (IgA), Vaccination with antibodies
Name and describe what an antigen is and examples/characteristics listed below:
Immunogen
Hapten
Superantigen
Epitope
Adjuvant
Antigens
- Most are proteins, but many are also polysaccharides, lipoproteins, and nucleoproteins
- Immunogens: Molecules that react with antibodies to induce an immune response. All immunogens are antigens, but not all antigens are immunogens
-
Hapten: An antigen that cannot elicit an immune response on its own (Can’t activate Th cells); it must be bound to a carrier protein
- Many drugs are haptens. ie. Penicillin
- Superantigen: Activates a large number of Th cells at one time. (Eg. TSST)
- Epitopes: The specific antibody-binding site on an antigen
-
Adjuvant: A molecule that enhances the immune response to an antigen
- Added to a vaccine to decrease absorption and increase the effectiveness
- Elicits stronger T and B cell response
- Eliminates the need for repeated boosters
Explain the difference between cell-mediated and antibody-mediated immunity
-
Cell-Mediated Immunity
- Host defense:
- Viruses,
- Bacteria (intracellular),
- fungi
- Protozoa
- Mediators:
- T cells
- NK cells
- Macrophages
- Ex: Intracellular infections, Granulomatous infections, Tumor suppression, Organ transplant rejection, Graft vs. host reactions, Type IV (delayed) hypersensitivity
- Host defense:
-
Antibody-mediated (humoral)
- Hoste defense:
- Bacteria
- Some viruses
- Helminths
- Mediators:
- B cells
- Antibodies
- Examples: Bacterial toxin-induced infections, Autoimmune reactions, Type I, II, III hypersensitivity
- Hoste defense:
Explain Freund’s adjuvant
Freund’s adjuvant:
- Inactivated M. tuberculosis suspended in lanolin and mineral oil
- Functions as an immunopotentiator (booster)
- Used for research as it is toxic in humans
State the cellular components of the immune system
T cells
B cells
Natural killer (NK) cells
Monocytes and Macrophages
Dendritic Cells
Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils (PMNs)
Eosinophils
Basophils and Mast Cells
Explain a T-cell and its differentiation pathway
T Cells
- Differentiate in the thymus
- Long lifespan, ranging from months to years
- Have a CD3 associated T-cell receptor (TCR) , which recognizes a unique antigen only in conjunction with MHC proteins
T-cell differentiation:
- Made in bone marrow
- Thymus cortex = positive selection
- CD4+ CD8+ T cell
- Thymus Medula = Negative selection
- CD8+ T cell -> Cytotoxic T cell (lymph node)
- CD4+ T cell -> Helper T cell (lymph node)
- Lymph node
-
CD8 T cell -> Cytotoxic T cell (lymph node)
- Kills virus-infected, neoplastic, and donor graft cells
- Endogenous MHC I
- Kills virus-infected, neoplastic, and donor graft cells
-
CD4 T cell -> Helper T cell (lymph node)
-
Th1 cell (cell-mediated response)
- Makes IL-2, IFN-GAMMA, AND ACTIVATES MACROPHAGES AND CD8+ T cells
- Inhibited by IL-10
- Makes IL-2, IFN-GAMMA, AND ACTIVATES MACROPHAGES AND CD8+ T cells
-
Th2 cells (humoral response)
- Makes IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and help B cells make antibody (IgE > IgG)
- Inhibited by INF-gamma
- Makes IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and help B cells make antibody (IgE > IgG)
- Exogenous MHC II
-
Th1 cell (cell-mediated response)
-
CD8 T cell -> Cytotoxic T cell (lymph node)
Explain the following about the identified T Cell:
CD4 lymphocytes, helper T cells (Th Cells)
Th1 cells
Th 2 cells
- Function
- Characterization
CD4 lymphocytes, helper T cells (Th Cells)
- Function: none listed
- Characterization: Responds to antigen associated with Class II MHC proteins
Th1 cells
-
Function:
- Signal CD8 cells to differentiate into cytotoxic T cells
- Signal macrophages in Type IV (delayed) hypersensitivity reactions
-
Characterization:
- Secrete:
- IL-2 (CD8+ cells)
- INF-gamma (macrophages)
- Secrete:
Th2 cells
-
Function:
- Signal B cells to differentiate into plasma cells, producing antibodies
-
Characterization:
- Secrete:
- IL-4
- IL-5
- Secrete:
Explain the following about the identified T Cell:
CD4 lymphocytes, cytotoxic T cells (Tc cells)
- Function
- Characterization
CD4 lymphocytes, cytotoxic T cells (Tc cells)
-
Function:
- Kill virus-infected, tumor, and allograft cells
- Two ways:
- Release perforins (disrupt cell membranes)
- Induce apoptosis (programmed cell death)
-
Characterization
- Respond to antigen associated with Class I MHC proteins
Explain the following about the identified T Cell:
Memory T Cells
- Function
- Characterization
Memory T Cells
- Function:
- Activated in response to re-exposure to antigen
- Characterization
- Exist for years after initial exposure
Explain clonal selection
The process by which an antigen binds to a specific TCR (T cell) or Ig (B cell), activating that immune cell to clonally expand into cells of the same specificity is called clonal selection
Explain a B cell and state/describe its major types
Types (Plasma Cells, Mature B cells, Memory B cells)
- Function
- Characteristics
B cells
- Differentiate in the bone marrow
- Short life span, ranging from days to weeks
Major Types of B Cells:
Plasma Cells
-
Function:
- Synthesize immunoglobulins (antibodies)
-
Characteristics:
- Only monomeric IgM and IgD are expressed on their surface as antigen receptors
Mature B Cells
-
Function:
- Antigen presentation
-
Characteristics:
- Express class II MHC proteins
- APC that presents to CD4 Th cells
- Express class II MHC proteins
Memory B Cells
-
Function:
- Activated in response to re-exposure to antigen
-
Characteristics:
- Exist for years after initial exposure
Recall:
- Class I MHC surface proteins: on all nucleated cells. Recognition of self vs. non-self.
- Class II MHC surface proteins: ONLY on ANTIGEN PRESENTING CELLS (APCs) Present antigen to Th cells
Explain Natural Killer (NK) Cells
Natural Killer (NK) Cells
- Lack a CD3-associated TCR and surface IgM or IgD
- IgG antibodies enhance NK cell effectiveness via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC)
- Are NOT specific to any antigen and do not need to recognize MHC proteins
- No memory : Do not require previous exposure to antigen
- Activated by IL-12 and INF-Gamma
- Functions:
- Kill Virus-infected cells and tumor cells (induce apoptosis via perforins and granzymes)
Explain Monocytes and Macrophages
Monocytes and Macrophages
- Agranular leukocytes
- Derived from bone marrow histiocytes
- Exist in plasma (monocytes) and in tissues (macrophages)
- Activated by bacterial LPS, peptidoglycan, and DNA, as well as TH1 cell-mediated INF-Gamma
- Functions:
- Phagocytosis: Via Fc and C3b receptors
- Antigen presentation: Express Class II MHC proteins
- Cytokine Production: IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, INF and TNF
Monocytes and macrophages are major components of the reticuloendothelial system, which includes all phagocytic cells except for granulocytes (PMNs)
What are other phagocytes besides monocytes and macrophages?
Other Phagocytes:
- Histocytes: CT
- Microglia: CNS
- Dust cells: Lungs
- Kupffer cells: Liver
Explain Dendritic cells
What are Langerhans cells?
Dendritic cells
- Agranular leukocytes
- Located primarily in the skin and mucous membranes
- Functions:
- Antigen presentation express Class II MHC proteins
Langerhans cells: Are the major dendritic cells of the gingival epithelium
Explain Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils (PMNs)
What are the major contents of PMN cytoplasmic granules?
Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils (PMNs)
- Granular leukocytes.
- Cytoplasmic granules (lysosomes) contain several bacteriocidal enzymes
- Functions:
- Phagocytosis
- Cytokine production
Major contents of PMN Cytoplasmic Granules
Granule Type/ Enzymes
Primary (azurophilic)
- Hydrolase
- Myeloperoxidase
- Neuraminidase
Secondary
- Collagenase
- Lysozyme
- Lactoferrin
Explain Eosinophils
Eosinophils
- Granular leukocytes
- Blind antigen-bound IgG or IgE, subsequently releasing cytoplasmic granules
- Do not present antigen to T cells
- Functions:
- Defense against parasitic infections (especially nematodes)
- Mediate hypersensitivity diseases: Release histaminase, leukotrienes, and peroxidase
- Phagocytosis
Explain Basophils and Mast Cells
Basophils and Mast Cells
- Granular leukocytes
- Exist in plasma (basophils) and in tissues (mast cells)
- Bind antigen-bound IgE, subsequently releasing cytoplasmic granules (histamine, heparin, peroxidase, and hydrolase) and inflammatory cytokines.
- Functions:
- Mediate immediate hypersensitivity reactions such as anaphylaxis
Explain what Opsonization is
What are the two major opsonins?
Opsonization
- Enhances phagocytosis of encapsulated microorganisms
- Antibody (IgG) or complement protein (C3b) coat the outer surface of microorganisms, allowing phagocytes to bind and engulf them more efficiently
THE TWO MAJOR OPSONINS ARE IgG AND C3b