Skin Immunology

Question 1

What factors contribute to skin as an immunological system?

Answer 1

Structure (keratin layer etc)

Cell types (immune system cells, keratinocytes)

Cytokines, chemokines, eicosanoids, antimicrobial peptides (chemical signals/molecules that influence cell behaviour and help target pathogens)

Genetics

Question 2

Which type of immunity (innate or adaptive) is non-specific?

Answer 2

Innate
(no memory)
(e.g. stratum corneum)

Question 3

Which type of immunity (innate or adaptive) is specific?

Answer 3

Adaptive
(memory)
(uses antibodies)

Question 4

Which type of immunity (innate or adaptive) is first line?

Answer 4

Innate

Question 5

What is Hypersensitivity?

Answer 5

An overreaction to antifen

Question 6

What is Autoimmunity?

Answer 6

A reaction to host tissue?

chronic inflammation

Question 7

What forms the keratin layer?

Answer 7

Terminal differentiation of keratinocytes to corneocytes

Filaggrin, Involucrin, keratin = important structural porteins in the keratin layer and epiddermis

Question 8

What are the structurally important proteins in the keratin layer and epidermis? (3)

Answer 8

Filaggrin
Involucrin
Keratin

Question 9

What is the other name for the keratin layer?

Answer 9

The stratum corneum

Question 10

What are the functions of keratinocytes in the epidermis?

4

Answer 10

Structural and functional
Sense pathogens and help mediate an immune response.
Can be activated by UV (sunlight) and sensitizers (eg. allergic contact dermatitis)
Produce antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that can directly kill pathogens.
Produce cytokines and chemokines (adaptive and innate immune system)

Question 11

What are langerhans cells in the epidermis?

Answer 11

A type of dendritic cell that’s intersperse with keratinocytes in the epidermis.