1. Introduction to Cells and Systems of the Immune System Flashcards
What are 3 anti-microbial peptides?
- Defensins
- Cathelicidins
- Histatins
3 functions of neutrophils?
- Phagocytosis
- Degranulation (primary, secondary, tertiary)
- NET (Neutrophil Extracellular Trap)
Principal function of innate immune cells?
- Respond rapidly to all types of threat
- Phagocytes ingest invaders
- Granulocytes secrete toxins
- Induce inflammation
Principal function of adaptive immune cells?
- Recognise antigen through BCR/TCR
- Antigen specificity to secrete specific antibodies
- Immunological memory
What are the primary lymph organs and their functions?
- Bone marrow - Origin of all immune cells + B cell development
- Thymus gland - T cell devlelopment
What are the secondary lymph organs and function of the major one?
- Lymph nodes - filters for foreign particles/cancer cells + traps antigen bearing dendritic cells that present to T cells → adaptive immune response → antibody production
- Spleen - white pulp
- MALT (Mucosal-Associated-Lymphoid-Tissue)
What are cytokines? What produces cytokines?
Small proteins that affect immune response by:
- stimulating
- inhibiting
- growth + maintenance
Produced by barrier cells, immune system cells, immune system
2 interleukin activators?
IL-2 and IL-12
2 interleukins that drive inflammation?
TNF and IL-1
Interleukin inhibitor?
IL-10
Interleukin responsible for differentiation?
IL-23
Function of Type 1 Interferon (IFN-alpha + beta)
Limit the spread of viral infection
Function of Type 2 Interferon (IFN-gamma)
Activates phagocytes + used in viral and tumour immunity
How do cytokines work?
They bind to cell-surface receptors and trigger gene expression, and only specific cytokine will trigger specific receptors
Chemokines function and examples?
Chemokines are a type of cytokine that specifically act as chemoattractants (attract towards site of infection)
Example: Rantes + IL-8
