Molecules Produced by the Immune System Flashcards

1
Q

List the three leukocytes with granules in their cytoplasm.

A

Neutrophils

Eosinophils

Basophils

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2
Q

What do neutrophil granules contain?

5

A

Defensins

Lysozyme

Myeloperoxidase

NADPH

Oxidase

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3
Q

What do the chemicals present in neutrophil granules do?

2

A

They kill bacteria by lysis of their cell walls

They also kill bacteria by producing reactive oxygen species

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4
Q

Comment on the granules in both eosinophils and basophils.

A

They contain toxic granules that are released from the cell

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5
Q

List some of the chemicals present in the granules of eosinophils and basophils.
(7)

A

Enzymes

Reactive oxygen species

Leukotrienes

Prostaglandins

Cytokines

Histamine

Heparin

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6
Q

What is leukotrienes?

A

It is a pro-inflammatory molecule

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7
Q

What is prostaglandins?

A

Its a pro-inflammatory molecule

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8
Q

What does histamine do?

A

It causes vasodilation and smooth muscle contraction (it causes inflammation)

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9
Q

What does heparin do?

A

Its an anti-coagulant that causes tissues to swell

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10
Q

What do eosinophils release their granules in response to?

A

Large, extracellular invaders like parasites

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11
Q

Where do cytokines get their name?

3

A

‘Cyt’ meaning cell

‘kine’ coming from kinesis - i.e. moving

They were named first because they were though to encourage white cells to move

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12
Q

What are cytokines?

A

They are protein molecules secreted by cells of the immune system

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13
Q

How do cytokines work?

A

They bind to receptors on the target cells and initiate signalling cascades that ultimately alters gene expression

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14
Q

Give four effects that cytokines can have.

A

Proliferation

Differentiation

Activation

Secretion

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15
Q

What is the main difference between cytokines and hormones?

A

Hormones are usually made by an organ while cytokines can be made by many different immune cells

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16
Q

Explain how cytokines can work in an autocrine factor.

A

The cells can produce the cytokine it is affected by

17
Q

Explain cytokines using Type 1 interferons as an example.

4

A

Virus infected cell

Infected cell releases interferon

Interferon binds to nearby cells

Cells stimulated by interferon make antiviral proteins that prevent viral replication

18
Q

What is an interleukin?

A

A cytokine from one white blood cell to another white blood cell

19
Q

What does interleukin 1 do?

A

It can tell your brain to increase body temperature and to cause inflammation

20
Q

List the four things interferon causes in the target cell.

A

Cells activate factors that interfere with viral replication

Cells produce RNase enzymes

Cells downregulate protein translation

Cells upregulate pro-apoptotic proteins

21
Q

What is a cytokine storm?

A

When way too many cytokines are produced in response to infection

22
Q

Where do interferons get their name?

A

They were named as they were first known to interfere with viruses

23
Q

What happens when cells upregulate pro-apoptotic proteins?

A

Apoptosis occurs

Organised/planned death

24
Q

What are complement proteins?

5

A

A collection of over 30 proteins found in the bloodstream

Produced during inflammation

Some cause opsonization

Some cause lysis

Some cause inflammation

25
Where are complement proteins produced? | 4
Most produced in the liver Monocytes Macrophages Epithelial cells
26
What are the three functions of complement proteins?
Opsonization Inflammation Lysis
27
What is opsonization?
The marking of pathogens for uptake by phagocytes
28
What is inflammation?
Activated complement proteins cause swelling, vascular permeability, contraction of smooth muscle and degranulation of basophils and mast cells
29
How are complement proteins used in inflammation? | 3
Mast cells release their granules to fight infection Activated complement components bind to receptors on mast cells and basophils This causes them to release chemicals including histamine (degranulation)
30
What is the endpoint of complement activation?
The formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC)
31
What does MAC stand for?
Membrane attack complex
32
What does the membrane attack complex do? | 3
It makes a pore in the bacterial surface this allows water to enter the cell The combination of multiple pores formed and the stress of water influx causes the cell to lyse
33
What type of cells produce inflammatory granules? | 3
Eosinophils Basophils Neutrophils
34
What type of cells produce type 1 interferons?
All nucleated cells infected with viruses
35
What type of cells produce complement? | 3
Hepatocytes Macrophages Epithelial cells