Part I: Immunology Flashcards
What are the characteristics of non-specific immunity
- response is antigen independent
- immediate maximal response
- not antigen specific
- exposure results in no immunologic memory
What are the two classifications of immunity for protection against infection and disease
Non-specific (innate)
Specific (adaptive)
What are the characteristics of specific immunity
- Response is antigen-dependent
- There is lag-time between exposure and maximal response
- Antigen specific
- Exposure results in immunologic memory
What cells are granulocytes
- neutrophils
- basophils
- eosinophils
- monocytes
What are neutrophils
- 60-65% of white blood cells
- rapidly migrating phagocytic cells
- activated by tumor necrosis factor (a cytokine)
What are basophils
-release histamines, triggered by IgE in allergic reaction
What is a basophils similar to?
Mast cells
- > similar to basophils, but found only in tissue
- > also release histamine
What is an eosinophil
involved in destruction of parasites
What are monocytes
circulate in blood, migrate into tissue and develop into either macrophage or dendritic cell
What is a macrophage
- has bi-lobed nucleus
- Primary functions: 1. phagocytosis 2. antigen presentation
- migratory macrophages are active in tissue having been stimulated by cytokines
What is stimulation of a macrophage a result of
- presence of microbe
- inflammation
- T-lymphocytes
What are dendritic cells
- mobile, branched cells
- highly phagocytic in early life
- involved in adaptive immune response (antigen presentation)
What cells are lymphocytes
- T lymphocytes
- B lymphocytes
- Natural killer cells
What are T lymphocytes
- differentiated in thymus
- long lived
- many types -> helper, cytotoxic, regulatory
What do T-helper cells do
coordinate immune response
What do T cytotoxic cells do
responsible for destroying infected cells
What do T regulatory cells do
suppress immune response, modulate immune system function
What are B lymphocytes
-memory B cells are formed specific to antigens encountered during the primary immune response; able to live for a long time, these cells can respond quickly upon second exposure to the antigen for which they are specific
What is different about natural killer cells
They are not phagocytic, but are cytotoxic- they weaken cells by creating holes in the cell membrane
What do natural killer cells attack
- Attack cells that have been infected by microbes, but not the microbes themselves
- They do not need contact with antigen, so are part of the non-specific immunity
What is the function of cytokines
- induce other cells in immune system
- stimulate both antigen dependent (lymphocytes) and independent cells (NK cells)
- induce chemotaxis and diapedesis
What are the types of cytokines
- Lymphokines
- Interleukins
- Tumor necrosis factor
- interferons
What are interleukins used for
communications between white cells
What does Tumor necrosis factor do
attack tumor cells
