MTII Flashcards
How did Metchnikoff propose cell-mediated immunity? What was the reception to the theory
He published his observations of starfish larvae phagocytes surrounding a thorn.
Her opposed that the body was defended against invasion by such phagocytes in a process analogous to inflammation
- his proposal was not well received
Who proposed cell mediated immunity and when
Ilya metchnikoff in 1882
Why was Metchnikoff theory of cell mediated immunity not well received
“Cellularists” were unpopular until the mid 1950s. His proposal was not well receive in the medical community because at the time inflammation was considered to be a harmful process. Also, cell mediated biology was only properly studied wig microbiology techniques - not used till 1950
Who proposed antibody-mediated immunity
Emil Behring
How was antibody mediated immunity published? How was it received
He published observations of “serum factors” could be used to confer immunity to Diptheria. He proposed that the body was defended against invasion by these serum factors (later called antibodies).
- his proposal was very well received
Who proposed the first model for an antibody function and the first cellular model for immune system function
Paul Ehrlich
What was the first model for an antibody function
An antibody and an antibody generating substance (antigen) interacted like a lock and key
What is the side chain theory
All antibody-producing cells are pre programmed to display protein “side chains” (antibodies) against all possible antigens
- antigen binding to a specific antibody induces a cell to synthesize this “selected” antibody to the exclusion of all other antibodies
How were Ehrlich proposals received
Very well
Why is the side chain theory considered a selective theory
The antigen “selects” the appropriate, off the shelf antibody molecule
What did Sir Almroth Wright propose. What did his observations indicate
He noticed that bacteria were only phagocytosed in the presence of serum
- he proposed that bacteria needed to be coated with certain serum factors he named opsonins (which means like relish, salsa)
They indicated That cell mediated immunity and antibody mediated immunity are equally important for protections against microbial infections
What did sir Peter Medawar show regarding transplant rejection
He showed that transplant rejects was a cell mediated process
- this revitalized interest in cell mediated immunity
- which brought money and researchers into immunology
What is the clonal selection theory
Proposed by Jerne, talmadge, burnet
- Individuals continuously produce numerous short-lived, clonally derived lymphocytes
- each clone arises from an individual lymphocyte with a particular, pre programmed antigen specificity - Antigen binds to one of these clonally derived lymphocytes and activates that particular lymphocyte
- lymphocytes proliferate and differentiate into effector cells and long lived memory cells - If no antigen binds to a particular lymphocyte, that lymphocyte will die within a few days
- this intentional high turnover rate allows the immune system to continuously re program and test antigen specificities
Where is the immune system
The lymphatic system
- all immune system cells originate in the lymphatic system. Most of them travel back and forth through the circulatory system and the lymphatic system
What are the functions of the lymphatic system
- Fluid recovery system
- the closed circulatory system is quite leaky- roughly 01% leakage rate (or about 3 L/day)
- the open lymphatic system returns this fluid to the bloodstream
- roughly 01% leakage rate (or about 3 L/day)
- Fat absorption system
- specialized lymphatics called lacteals (=milky ones) project into the villi in the intestines- lacteals contain milky looking lymph containing absorbed fats called chyle (=juice)
- lacteals allow fats to be slowly metered into the circulation. Fats are first packaged into chylomicrons, which are then folded into the circulatory system via the thoracic duct
- lacteals contain milky looking lymph containing absorbed fats called chyle (=juice)
- Immune response system
What are the components of the lymphatic system
Lymph
Lymphatics
Central lymphoid organs
Lymph
Clear extra cellular fluid that leaks from the circulatory system
- lymph does not contain RBCs or most blood proteins
Lymphatics
Thin walled, vein like vessels
Much more permeable to incoming fluids than blood capillaries
- collect lymph from tissue interstices
- the flow of lymph depends on skeletal muscle compression of the lymphatics. One way valves in lymphatics direct the flow. The “pooling” of lymph in your legs and feet is one of the reasons you get so tired during trans-pacific flight (also explains “Hong Kong feet”)
What are the central lymphoid organs
The bone marrow
The thymus
What do the central lymphoid organs do
(General or primary lymphoid organs)
- provide sites for the generation and maturation of lymphocytes
The bone marrow
(B for B cell)
- site for hematopoesis (=create blood)
- site for B cell “maturation”
- all blood cells – and that means all Immune System Cells – are produced by hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow
- B cells are produced in specific sites in the bone marrow and undergo an intensive negative selection against self specificity and positive selection for reactivity (“mature”) in other sites in the bone marrow
The Thymus
Site for T cells “maturation”
- T cells are produced in specific sites in the bone marrow but undergo an even more rigorous maturation in the thymus
What are the peripheral lymphoid organs
Spleen
Lymph nodes
What do the peripheral lymphoid organs do
(Secondary lymphoid organs)
Provide sites in the periphery for antigen lymphocyte interactions
Spleen
Filtering station for blood
- immune system cells passing through the spleen encounter antigens that have been concentrated from systemic infections
- immune responses to systemic pathogens usually originate from the spleen
(When most people say the pledge of allegiance they’re placing their right hand over their spleen, spleen is size of clenched fist)
Lymph nodes
Filtering station for lymph draining from a particular region
- Immune system cells passing through the lymph nodes encounter antigens that have been concentrated “downstream” from localized infections
- immune responses to localized infections usually originate from the lymph nodes
Immune system cells
Many leukocytes
Inflammatory cells
Lymphocytes
Leukocytes
Are enlisted personnel of the immune system
Macrophage
Note - not found in the blood
- commandos and antigen presenting cells (APC) of the immune system
- phagocytose and destroy antigens in their role as commandos
– and/or –
- phagocytose, process, and then return to base to present antigens to CD4+ T Cells in their role as APCs
(Macrophage frequently initiate an immune response by presenting antigens to appropriate lymphocytes; they just as frequently are the cells that are enlisted to eliminate the antigen. Monocytes aare the circulating precursors of macrophage)
Inflammatory cells/Granulocytes
Mediators of inflammation
Inflammatory cells tells you what the cells do; Granulocytes tell you how you they look
Neutrophils
Inflammatory cell
- neutrophils (aka PolyMorphoNuclear leukocytes or PMNs)
- The infantry of the immune system
- phagocytose and destroy antigens
(They are by far the most numerous inflammatory cells. Pus is the battlefield carnage of dead neutrophils and microbes. It’s greenish color is due to a neutrophil enzyme)
Mast cells
Inflammatory cells
Mast cells are not found in the blood
The sentries of the immune system
- alert immune system cells to the presence of antigens
(Mast cells release chemo attractants and vasoactive chemicals when they encounter an antigen. This process is descriptively termed degranulation)
Eosinophils
Inflammatory cells
- specialized anti parasitic commandos of the immune system
- destroy parasites
(They are very important for defense from helminth infections - parasitic worm - but for us that live outside the tropics, they are a pain in the form of allergic reactions like hay fever and asthma)
What are lymphocytes. What are examples of them
The officers of the immune system
- “Leukocyte” refers to ANY white blood cells (including lymphocytes). “Lymphocyte” refers only to these officers of the immune system with restricted access to the lymphatic system
- examples= B cells, T cells, Natural Killer cells
B Cells
(B cells mature in the Bone marrow)
B cells are field officers for antibody-mediated immunity
-B cells make antigens
- B cells are also Antigen Presenting Cells (APC)
- activated B cells produce antibody molecules
- antibodies bind to antigens and tag them for disposal
T cells
(T cells mature in the Thymus)
CD4+ T cells
- they are commanding officers for both cell-mediated immunity and antibody-mediated immunity
- they “help” activate both T cells and B cells
- there are 2 subsets of CD4+ T cells
- TH1 Inflammatory T cells command and coordinate cell-mediated immunity by two pathways:
- Enlist/activate macrophage and inflammatory cells
- which eliminate bacteria-infected cells and large pathogens
- Activate Cytotoxic T cells (CD8+)
- which eliminate virus infected cells
- TH2 helper T cells command and coordinate antibody-mediated immunity
- Activate B cells
- which produce antibodies that tag pathogens for elimination
Natural Killer cells
They are licensed to kill - they act like cytotoxic T cells but do not need permission from a TH1 inflammatory T cell
- NK cells eliminate virus infected cells
Cytokines
Cytokines (=cell movers) are hormone-like factors important for choreographing immune responses
- macrophage secrete inflammatory cytokines:
- IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha (IL=interleukin TNF= tumor necrosis factor)
- these inflammatory cytokines recruit and activate inflammatory cells for inflammation
(Inflammation is a process that utilizes activated inflammatory cells –mast cells and neutrophils– and macrophage to deliver blood plasma and additional inflammatory cells to extra vascular tissues)
- inflammatory cytokines are mediators of innate immunity
(Innate immunity – nonspecific immunity or natural immunity – is a fast, reliable, but non-specific first line defense system. An innate response is the same regardless of the pathogen. Innate immunity is the immunological equivalent of nervous reflexes. It’s primitive.. Bent also very reliable and effective)
CD4+ TH1 inflammatory T cells secrete Type 1 Cytokines
IL-2, TNF-Beta, IFN-gamma (IFN=interferon)
- these type 1 cytokines can recruit and activate macrophage and inflammatory cells for immune mediated inflammation
- these type 1 cytokines can activate antigen-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T cells for cytotoxic T cell mediated cell killing
Type 1 cytokines are mediators of cell-mediated responses in adaptive immunity
CD4+ TH2 Helper T cells secrete Type 2 cytokines
IL-4, IL-5, IL-10
- these type 2 cytokines activate antigen-specific B cells and favor an antibody-mediated response
Type 2 cytokines are mediators of antibody-mediated responses in adaptive immunity
(Adaptive immunity –specific immunity or acquired immunity – is a slow, cranky, but highly specific defensive system. An adaptive response is specific for a particular pathogen. Adaptive immunity is the immunological equivalent of higher brain functions (“thinking”). It’s quite advanced and quite effective… But it’s easily messed up)
The immune response
There are two separate but interconnected and overlapping sub systems involved in an immune response: innate immunity and adaptive immunity
Innate immunity
(Non-specific immunity or natural immunity)
Fast, reliable, but non specific first line defense system
- similar response regardless of the pathogen
.
Four important innate immunity defense mechanisms:
- Fever - mediated (in part) by inflammatory cytokines
- Complement - mediated by functionally linked plasma proteins
- Natural killer cells
- Acute inflammation - mediated by mast cells, macrophage and neutrophils
Adaptive immunity
(Specific immunity or acquired immunity)
Slow, cantankerous, but highly specific defense system
- different responses for different pathogens
Adaptive immunity can be cell mediated or antibody mediated
- cell mediated immunity
- immune mediated inflammation
- TH1 inflammatory T cells secrete Type 1 Cytokines that enlist macrophage and neutrophils
- cytotoxic T cell mediated response
- TH1 inflammatory T cells secrete Type 1 cytokines that help activate CD8+ T cytotoxic T cells
- antibody mediated immunity
- TH2 helper T cells secrete Type 2 cytokines that help activate B cells
Innate immunity defense mechanisms
Innate immunity involves the interactions of cells and factors derived from the bloodstream and from tissues. The effector functions of innate immunity are intricately interwoven with one another and with adaptive immunity
Fever
Fever creates an environment unfavorable for the growth of many bacteria. Since metabolic activity increases roughly 7% for each degree increase in temperature! fever can dramatically enhance innate immunity.
Endogenous pyrogens
Fever inducing substances produced INSIDE the body
- IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-alpha (Inflammatory cytokines)
- secreted by macrophage
- prostaglandins
- produced by the hypothalamus
(Aspirin reduces fever by inhibiting the enzyme required for prostaglandin synthesis)
Exogenous Pyrogens
Fever inducing substances produced OUTSIDE of the body
- Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)
The Lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokine cascade
- minor localized infection
- macrophage release small amounts of TNF-alpha
- localized infection
- serious localized infection
- macrophage release larger amounts of TNF-alpha
- systemic response
- Septicemia (infection of the bloodstream)
- systemic macrophage release of massive amounts of TNF-alpha
- Septic shock
(A patient with septic shock will usually die within a few hours)
Complement
It is a highly regulated cascade of functionally linked proteins in the plasma. Activation of complement results in the opsonization or lysis of the intruding pathogen, or results in acute inflammation.
What are the two complement pathways
The classic complement pathways
- major defense mechanism of adaptive immunity
- initiated by antibody binding to antigen
The alternative complement pathway
- major defense mechanism of innate immunity
- initiated directly by specific microbial antigens
What does the activation of either complement pathway result in
The formation of various cleavage products with different effector functions
Opsonization
C3b and C4b bind to pathogens and attract macrophage and neutrophils that will phagocytose the pathogens
- the pathogen gets an “eat me” sign taped to its back
Complement mediated cell lysis
C3b initiates a cascade reaction that results in the formation of a polymeric membrane attack complex that lyses pathogens
- the pathogen gets a hole punched in its outer membrane, envelope or cell membrane
Activation of inflammation
C3a, C4a, and C5a induce mast cell degranulation
- degranulation releases chemicals that initiate inflammation
C5a attracts neutrophils that will phagocytose pathogens
- the pathogen gets attacked (and probably eaten) by macrophage and inflammatory cells (particularly neutrophils)
Natural killer cells
They’re very closely related to Cytotoxic T cells. But cytotoxic T cells need to obtain a warrant from a TH1 inflammatory T cell before they can kill infected cells, NK cells are licensed to kill. The serve as a “bridge” between innate immunity and adaptive immunity
- seek out infectd cells (“target cells”)
- the endogenous apoptotic pathway is initiated in these cells
- the target cell commits seppuku (Japanese stomach stab suicide)
- antigen is eliminated (and so is the cell)
(NK cells are like ninjas, cytotoxic T cells are samurai)
Inflammation
Acute inflammation is a coordinated assault on pathogens that involves a variety of different cells and molecules. The activation of acute inflammation will usually either eliminate the pathogen, or initiate an adaptive immune response, with macrophage serving as liaison officers
Acute inflammation
(An innate immune response)
Activated macrophage secrete inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha) that recruit and direct inflammatory cells
- macrophage and inflammatory cells destroy infectious agents and release cytokines
The presence of large numbers of macrophage and inflammatory cells is a characteristics symptom of acute inflammation
Immune mediated inflammation
(This is an adaptive immune process)
Activated TH1 inflammatory T cells secrete type 1 cytokines (IL-2, TNF-beta, IFN-gamma) that recruit and direct macrophage and inflammatory cells
- TH1 inflammatory T cells, macrophage and inflammatory cells destroy infectious agents and release cytokines
The presence of large numbers of TH1 inflammatory T cells, macrophage, and inflammatory cells is a characteristic symptom of immune mediated inflammation
(Antigen-antibody complexes, as well as activated TH1 inflammatory T cells, can induce immune-mediated inflammation. The presence of antigen-antibody complexes is another highly characteristic symptom of immune-mediated inflammation)
What type of immunity are Antigen presenting cells in? What are some APCs
Adaptive immunity
- macrophage
- B cells
- Dendritic cells
Macrophage
Present microbial and particulate antigens to CD4+ T cells
- macrophage are big cells and they can phagocytose, process and present antigens from big stuff like bacteria and Protozoa to a TH0 CD4+ T cell
- an APC
B cells
Present soluble antigens (such as toxins) to CD4+ T cells
- B cells display antigen-specific IgD antibody molecules in their surface. If smells stuff binds to these surface IgD antibodies, the B cells will Endocytose these IgD antibodies, remove, process and present antigens from small stuff like toxins and viruses to a TH0 CD4+ T cell (and then recycle the IgD antibody to the surface)
Dendritic cells
Present virus antigens to both CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells
- dendritic cells are designed to be infected by viruses. Once infected, they can process and present antigens from viruses to both a TH0 CD4+ T cell and CD8+ T cell
Antigen presenting cells also determine the development of what cell
TH0 CD4+ T cell
If circumstances call for a cell-mediated response:
APC to TH0
The APC can nudge a TH0 CD4+ T cell to develop into an activated, Type 1 cytokine-secreting TH1 inflammatory T cell that will–
- initiate a cell mediated immune response
- inhibit the activation of TH2 helper T cells
If circumstances calls for an antibody-mediated response:
APC to TH0
The APC can nudge a TH0 CD4+ T cell to develop into an activated, Type 2 cytokine-secreting TH2 helper T cell will–
- initiate an antibody-mediated immune response
- inhibit the activation of TH1 inflammatory T cells
Cell mediated immune responses
Induced by foreign antigen produced inside cells
- such endogenous antigens would include viruses, some bacteria and parasites, plus cancerous cells
Activated TH1 inflammatory T cell secretes Type 1 cytokines that
- enlist the assistance of macrophage and inflammatory cells (this is called immune mediated inflammation)
- activate antigen specific CD8+ T cells to become cytocic T cells (This is called a cytotoxic T cell mediated response)
– WHERE a TH1 inflammatory T cell secretes Type 1 cytokines and the precise mix of WHICH type 1 cytokines are secreted determines whether immune-mediated inflammation or a cytotoxic T cell-,edited response is initiated
Immune mediated inflammation
Activated TH1 inflammatory T cells secrete Type 1 cytokines (IL-2,TNF-beta, IFN-gamma) that enlist and activate macrophage and neutrophils
- activated macrophage and neutrophils phagocytose and eliminate antigen
- activated macrophage phagocytose antigen and present it to (usually) CD4+ T cells
Immune mediated inflammation evolved to kill intracellular bacteria and fungal, protozoal and helminth infestations
Cytotoxic T cell mediated response
Activated TH1 inflammatory T cells secrete type 1 cytokines (IL-2, TNF-beta, IFN-gamma) that activate CD8+ cytotoxic T cells
- activated CD8+ cytotoxic T cells seek out infected cells (“target cells”)
- the endogenous apoptotic pathway is initiated in these cells
- the target cell commits seppuku
- antigen is eliminated (and so is the cell)
Cytotoxic T cells evolved to kill virus-infected cells and tumor cells
Antibody mediated immune responses
Induced by foreign antigen in body fluids
- such exogenous antigens would include viruses, bacteria, Protozoa, and helminths in blood, lymph,interstitial spaces and mucosal surfaces
Activated TH2 helper T cell secretes Type 2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10) that activate B cells
- activated B cell (now termed a plasma cell) produces and secretes antigen-specific antibody molecules
- antibodies bind to antigens and tag them for disposal
(WHERE a TH2 helper T cell secretes Type 2 cytokines and the precise mix of WHICH Type 2 cytokines are secreted determines the class of antibody secreted by an activated B cell)
What are the 5 human antibody classes
IgG IgM IgA IgD IgE
IgG
The major antibody class in the circulatory system ("Joe immunoglobulin") - unless otherwise specified, an antibody molecule is an IgG molecule
IgM
The first antibody class secreted by a B cell - IgM look like -- and acts like -- five IgG molecules arranged in a ring
IgA
The major antibody class secreted on mucosal surfaces - such mucosal surfaces would include the GI tract,respiratory tract, and the genitourinary tract