Week 0 - Immune Intro Flashcards
What are the 2 soluble factors in the innate immunity?
- Antibacterial factors
2. Complement system
What is the cellular factor of the innate immunity?
Scavenger Phagocytes
What is a lysozyme?
Enzyme present at mucosal surfaces that breaks down the gram positive cell wall
What does lactoferrin do (protein found at mucosal surfaces)?
- Chelates iron & reduces soluble iron in the GI/respiratory tract
- Inhibits growth of bacteria
What are the 3 pathways in the complement system of innate immunity?
- Classical Pathway
- MB-Lectin Pathway
- Alternative Pathway
Describe the classical pathway of the complement system?
Antigen : Antibody complexes
Describe the MB-Lectin Pathway of the complement system?
Lectin binding to pathogen surfaces
Describe the Alternative pathway of the complement system?
Activated through pathogen surfaces
What 3 things does complement activation do?
- Recruit inflammatory cells
- Opsonization of pathogens
- Killing of pathogens
What does MB-Lectin stand for?
Mannose-binding lectin
What are the 2 key roles of macrophages?
- Clearance of micro-organisms
2. Summon help (releasing cytokines)
What is the difference between monocytes and macrophages?
- Monocyte= blood
- Macrophages= tissue
Describe phagocytosis?
- Specialises in destruction of pathogens
- Removes harmless debris
Describe antigen presentation?
Processes engulfed particles, travels to draining lymph nodes & presents to T cells in MHC II
What 3 things are pattern recognition receptors able to do?
- Recognise molecules found in micro-organisms
- Recognise extracellular & intracellular threats
- Respond to bacteria, fungi and yeasts
Why is the immune system not enough at times?
- Highly pathogenic bacteria
2. Structural failure
What % of neutrophils are in white blood cells?
50-70%
Neutrophils provide a _____ response to infection?
Rapid
What are the 4 factors of neutrophils?
- Chemotaxis
- Phagocytic
- Degranulation
- Die locally
Describe neutrophil chemotaxis?
Migrate towards bacterial products (LPS), chemokines & “danger signals” (complement components)
Describe neutrophil phagocytosis?
Ingest & destroy pathogens using proteases, reactive oxygen species, lysozyme etc.
Describe neutrophil degranulation?
Release toxic granules extracellularly
Describe how neutrophils die locally?
By producing characteristic pus
Eosinophils have a pathological role in _____?
Allergy
What are the 3 factors of eosinophils?
- Chemotaxis
- Degranulation
- Cytokine production
Describe eosinophil degranulation?
Release toxic substances onto surface of parasites e.g. Major Basic Protein, Eosinophil Cationic Protein, Eosinophil Peroxidase
What does eosinophils classically respond to?
Parasites
What is the difference between basophils and mast cells?
- Basophils= blood
- Mast cells= tissues
What are basophils/mast cells important in?
Allergy
What are the 2 factors of Basophils/Mast cells?
- Degranulation
2. Cytokine release
Describe Basophil/Mast cell degranulation?
Rapid release pre-formed granules containing cytokines & mediators
What is the typical reaction caused by basophils/mast cell degranulation?
Histamine Wheal & Flare reaction
What are the 3 factors of dendritic cells?
- Phagocytosis
- Migration
- Antigen presentation
Describe dendritic cell phagocytosis?
- Not specialised in destruction of pathogens
- Functions mainly as antigen presenting cells
Describe dendritic cell migration?
- In tissues constantly sampling environment
- When activated will travel to draining lymph nodes
Describe dendritic cell antigen presentation?
Presents to CD4 T cells & can initiate an adaptive immune response
What are the 2 types of adaptive immunity?
- Humoral
2. Cellular
What is the humoral adaptive immunity mediated by?
B cells
What does the B cells do in humoral adaptive immunity?
Release antibodies (immunoglobulins) which targets extracellular pathogens ie. bacteria
What 2 things mediate the cellular adaptive immunity?
- CD4 T cells
2. CD8 T cells
What do the CD4 T cells in the cellular adaptive immunity do?
- Directs B cells & CD8 T cells
- Cytokine secretion
What are CD4 T cells also known as?
“Helper” T cells
What are DC8 T cells also known as?
“Killer” or “Cytotoxic” T cells
Describe the 2 regions on an antibody?
- Fab region: antigen binding
- Fc region: binds to Fc receptors on phagocytes & activates complement
What are the 3 functions of antibodies?
- Opsonise for phagocytosis
- Activate complement for lysis
- Neutralise toxins & pathogen binding sites
Describe IgM?
- Main antibody of primary immune response
- Low affinity
- Activates Complement
Describe IgG?
- Main antibody of secondary immune response
- Higher affinity as part of secondary response
- Activates Complement, binds Fcg receptor on phagocytes (opsonsises)
- Crosses placenta