W1P1 Flashcards
Covers first half of W1: 1. CBCs and WBCs 2. Barrier Defenses and Innate Immunity 3. Normal and Abnormal Hematopoiesis 4. Approach to RBCs 5. Fever 6. Anti Pyretics
Difference between Antigen and Epitope
Antigen: something that induces an immune response
Epitope: the smallest component of an antigen that is recognized by the immune system
What is an Antibody
- Where is it produced
aka: Immunoglobulin
It is a serum protein
Produced by: B cells, which become mature plasma cells that bind antigens and release Antibodies
what are Chemokines
They are proteins released by cells that attract other cells (like neutrophils and macrophages) to the area (from the blood, bone marrow and surrounding tissues)
The following symptoms are signs of what condition?
- High fever
- Headache
- Myalgia
- Nausea
- Skin Rash
- Hypotension
Cytokine Storm
What are the three functions of the immune system?
- Fight infections
- Prevent Cancer (TNF)
- Develop a memory response
What are examples of EARLY inflammatory mediators released by infected cells?
TNF: Tumour Necrosis Factor
CCL: chemokines, a type of cytokine
IFN: Interferons
What makes up our First Line of Defence
Skin Hair/*CILIA* Saliva/tears Mucous Stomach acids Bile
What are the four signs of inflammation
- Redness
- Swelling
- Heat
- Pain*
What are the mediators of inflammation?
What are their functions?
Mediators include:
- Prostaglandins
- Leukotrienes
- Bradykinins
Functions:
- Vasodilation
- Vascular Permeability
- Recruitment of cells to the area of damage
What are the two main cells lines formed from pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow?
Common Lymphoid Progenitor (CLP) and
Common Myeloid Progenitor (CMP)
What cells come from the CLP?
CLP: Common Lymphoid Progenitor
produce B cells, T cells, and NK cells released into the blood
which travel to the Lymph Nodes WHERE they would be activated and become Effector cells: Plasma cell
Activated T cell and
Activated NK cells
What are the cells that come from the CMP
CMP: Common Myeloid Progenitor
In the bone marrow it produces: Granulocyte/macrophage progenitor cells which in the blood produces the granulocytes: Neutrophils, Basophils, Eosinophils, unknown precursor of mast cells and monocytes
The later two produce in mast cells and macrophages respectively in the tissues
In the bone marrow it also produces Megakaryocyte and erythrocyte progenitor cells from which comes platelets and RBCs respectively.
Dendritic Cells (DC) Where would you find them What is their function What do they release
Found at the site of any skin interface
They release Defensins* which are protein mediators that reduce the acceptance of different microbes in the area (i.e. staph aureus is a common microbe found on our skin that our body protects us from)
Activated function: antigen uptake in peripheral sites and antigen presentation
Neutrophils
These cells are apart of the innate immune system
Activated function: Phagocytosis and activation of bactericidal mechanisms
They are the FIRST to arrive at site of inflammation. And they release more cytokines to recruit more immune cells.
Macrophages
similar to neutrophils except they are also: professional antigen presenting cells (APCs)
They reside in tissues
Activated function: phagocytosis and activation of bactericidal mechanisms + APC fnx
Eosinophils
- What do they contain
- What are their main targets
Activated function: killing of antibody-coated parasites
- also involved in allergic and hypersensitivity reactions
part of the innate immune defense
Their granules contain large cyrstals called Major Basic Protein
Mast Cell
Activated function: release of granules containing histamine* and active agents
Basophil
- what do their granules contain?
rarest of leukocytes
granules: heparin, histamin and leukotrienes
play a role in hypersensitivity reactions.
Natural Killer Cells
Activated function: Releases lytic granules that kill some virus-infected cells
it is an INNATE immune cells EVEN though it stems from CLP cells
because they do NOT have B/T cell markers
What are the three different players in cell communication?
- Cell Surface Receptors (PRRs, TLRs)
- Cytokines (ILs)
- Chemokines (CXC, CC, C)
Cell Surface Receptors
These are Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) some of which are termed Toll-Like Receptors
When they bind to their ligand (e.g. bacterial cell wall protein) the innate response is activated immediately.
Bacteria, viruses and parasites have conserved common structures/components that can be recognized by these receptors
activations –> rapid response to perceived danger. This response includes phagocytosis, release of chemokines and cytokines.
Examples of cell surface receptors on a macrophage
Activation of these receptors lead to the release of?
mannose receptor glucan receptor LPS receptor (CD14) TLR scavenger receptor
Activation releases:
- cytokines
- chemokines
- lipid mediators
Macrophages also phagocytose the infected cell.
Examples of Ligands that bind to PPRs
Peptidoglycan Zymosan dsRNA LPS (gram neg bacteria) Flagellin ssRNA unmethylated DNA
Cytokines
these are proteins, secreted by cells, that affect the behaviour of nearby cells - which have cytokine specific receptors
cytokine binding tells the cells what to do through intracellular signalling pathways.
some examples include interleukines: IL which are a family of cytokines involved in the activation of responding cells, cell growth and differentiation, and induction of fever.
What are three cytokines released by macrophages that systemic effects?
recall these are professional APCs.
The three main ones are IL-1B, TNFa, IL-6
IL-1B:
- activates vascular endothelium
- activates lymphocytes
- local tissue destruction
- increases access of effector cells
systemic effects: Fever + production of IL-6
TNFa:
- activates vascular endothelium and increases vascular permeability–> increase of IgG, complement and increased fluid drainage to lymph nodes.
systemic effects: Fever, Shock
IL-6:
- Lymphocyte activation
- increased antibody production
systemic effects: Fever + induces acute-phase protein production
The Complement System
Is a series of proteins, found in plasma, that are involved in:
- recognition of surface structures on pathogens,
- inflammation,
- activations of innate cells
- killing
- clearance of pathogens and products of inflammation from the body
ultimately preventing damage.
What are the three complement system pathways
- Classical: Antigen-AB complexes (pathogen surfaces)
- Lectin: Mannose-binding lectin or ficolin binding carbohydrates on pathogen surfaces
- Alternative: Pathogen surfaces
They all ultimately lead to C3 convertase which produce C3a, C5a: peptide mediators of inflammation, phagocyte recruitment
and C3b: binds to compliment receptors on phagocytes, leading to opsonization of pathogens and removal of immune complexes
which then lead to terminal complement components: which form membrane-attack complex, lysis of certain pathogens and cells.
so the three outcomes of the complement system are:
- inflammation
- opsonization of pathogens, - MAC
Timing of
innate vs early induced innate vs adaptive immune responses
Innate: 0-4 hours
Early induced Innate: 4-96 hours/4 days
Adaptive Immune: after 96 hours. leads to clonal expansion and differentiation to effector cells.
Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS)
Uncontrolled inflammation leads to multiple organ involvement, especially lungs, kidneys, vasculature, liver and gut and a coagulopathy.
Diseases that show features of SIRS
- bacterial sepsis (meningococemia)
- pandemic influenza
- SARS, COVID
In these diseases, infectious agents use cytokine storm as a sort of smoke screen to prevent orderly activation of both the innate and adaptive responses thus prolonging the time for replication and increasing the mortality in the hosts.
Patient related factors that influence CBC results
- Activity
- Stress
- Altitude
- Time of day
- Medications
What does a total WBC count include?
all circulating, nucleated HEMATOPOIETIC cells with the exception of nucleated RBCs
WBC count used to diagnose and manage pts with hematologic and infectious diseases
also used to monitor pts using cytotoxic drugs, radiation therapy and some antimicrobial drugs.
WBC differential
the relative amounts of specific types of WBCs: neutrophils vs lymphocytes vs monocytes vs eosinophils vs basophils
too many or too little of a specific type of WBC can increase index of suspicion of infection, immune problem and conditions like leukemia.
Which is the most abundant WBC?
Neutrophils make up 50-60
Absolute vs Relative CBC
absolute count is considered more clinically valuable, it is a superior indicator of inflammation and infection.
Stages of Neutrophil development
- Metamyelocyte: the youngest neutrophil. Large nucleus, round or bean-shaped. abundant cytoplasm, pale blue
- Neutrophil band or stab: The nucleus is elongated and curved (horseshoe/S-shaped), cytoplasm is abundant, pink
- Segmented neutrophil: is a mature neutrophil, nucleus is separated in 2-5segments or lobes. cytoplasm is pale red.
Which are the largest WBC circulating in peripheral blood
Monocytes
they become macrophages when they reside in tissues
macrophages have different names depending on their tissue, i.e. Kupffer cells = macrophages that live in the liver
Mononuclear Phagocyte System
This system is used to describe the monocytes and macrophages because of their complex connection to the blood stream and tissue
When do Macrophages arrive at the site of injury
within 48 hours
usually the first cell to process and present antigen to lymphocytes
Lymphocytes
These are non-granulocytes responsible for immune responses to specific organisms
i.e. T cells and B cells
both produced in the bone marrow. T cell matures in thymus.
T cells
mature in the Thymus
responsible for cell-mediated immunity
it stimulates the B cell and triggers humoral/antibody mediated immunity
it has SEVERAL subtypes that can be divided into regulatory or effector cells!
B cells
Mature in the bone marrow
Is responsible for humoral antibody-mediated immunity
Neutrophilia
- most common cause?
- timeframe
- type of disorder
- associated with which other conditions?
Most commonly caused by: Acute Bacterial Infection
Timeline: Neutrophil counts will rise 4-6 hours after an invasion by microorganisms
This is a type of myeloproliferative disorder, and this type of disorder includes polycythemia vera and chronic myelocytic leukemia
high neutrophil count is also associated with
- obesity
- smokin
- stress of surgery
Right vs left shift in neutrophils
Right shift: more mature neutrophils elevated
- pathologic conditions
Left shift: increased number of immature neutrophils released from the marrow
Neutropenia
- some causes
vs severe neutropenia
Count of less than 2,000 x 10e9/L
can occur with severe prolonged infections, or increased destruction of WBCs
consequence: inability to mount adequate defence when challenged
severe neutropenia: count less than 500 x 10e9/L
- predisposed to bacterial infection and opportunistic infections
Monocytosis
Absolute vs relative vs reactive absolute
Absolute Monocytosis: marker of myeloproliferative disorder (i.e. chronic myelomonocytic leukemia)
- requires bone marrow examination and cytogenetic studies
- hematology consultation needed
Relative Monocytosis: seen during recovery from drug-induced neutropenia
- does NOT require additional work-up
Reactive Absolute Monocytosis: Reflect chronic infectious, inflammatory, granulomatous processes, metastatic cancer, lymphoma, radiation therapy, and depression.
Lymphocytosis
Reactive Lymphocytosis vs B cell leukemia
Reactive Lymphocytosis with NORMAL appearing small lymphocyte morphology: viral etiology (e.g. mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus, measles)
B Cell Leukemia: (ALL or CLL)
merits a hematology consultation if clinical suspicion is present.
Eosinophilia
Triggers?
- an increase in the eosinophil count
Triggers
- occurs in response to parasitic infections
- bronchoallergic reactions: asthma, allergic rhinitis, and hay fever
- skin rashes
Basophilia
is the most uncommon cause of an elevated WBC
- Should be suspected in patient with hypersensitivities
What is a normal process of aging
Lymphopenia
however NOT normal in children obviously. this maybe the only early sign of immune deficiency
How many litres of blood is there in an average human body?
How much of it is water vs proteins?
5-6 litres
90% water
7% proteins
2% organic compounds
1% inorganic salts
What is the ration of plasma vs cellular elements in blood?
55% plasma
45% cellular elements
Plasma vs Serum
acellular components
serum = plasma WITHOUT clotting factors
recall plasma makes up 55%
Buffy coat
consists of WBC and platelets, this is the 1%
Hematocrite
the percentage of blood by volume that consists of RBC
usually expressed as a decimal percentage from 0.000 to 1.000
The Erythrocyte
- what is has vs lacks
- shape
RBC
It is acidophilic- stains red with eosin
Lacks
- Nucleus
- Organelles
DOES have
- membrane
- Cytoskeleton
- Enzymes
- Hgb
it is a biconcave disc = increases SA
What is the lifespan of RBC
- how many cells replaced daily ?
where are they broken down?
100-120 days
1% replaced daily
broken down in cells of spleen and liver
What is Anemia?
What are the values to diagnose anemia?
Is when there is fewer than normal RBCs resulting in less Hgb
Men: Hgb less than 140 g/L
Women: Hgb less than 120 g/L
What is the entire structure of the RBC held together by?
the cytoskeleton*
depends on them to keep their shape
issues with cytoskeleton = diseases
List the 6 variations in RBCs
Microcytosis
Macrocytosis
Sickle cell shapes
Red cell fragments
Eccinocytes: spike cells, seens in renal insufficiency
Target cells: seen in hepatic insufficiency
What is Microcytosis
- common causes
smaller RBC size
Causes:
Iron Deficiency
Disorders of Hgb synthesis (i.e. thalasemmias)
Lead poisoning
What is Macrocytosis
- Common Causes
larger RBC size
Causes:
- Vit B12 deficiency
- Thyroid disease
- Drug and alcohol effect
- Disorders of the marrow (myelodysplasia)
The reticulocyte
- too few vs too many vs normal in marked anemia
this is a young RBC, still has it’s nucleus/ribosomal TNA. they normally circulate in the peripheral blood. Often not included in the CBC, but important to check for RBC disorders.
too few: impaired production
too many: accelerated destructions
normal in anemia: impaired production (impaired compensation)
Which is the smallest cell in the blood?
Platelet.
* not REALLY considered a proper cell because it too has no nucleus
Which two blood cells don’t have a nucleus
RBC and platelets