Immunology Flashcards
Lymphatic system consists of
Lymphatic vessels and secondary lymphoid tissue
Lymphoid tissue is comprised of
Primary secondary and tertiary
Primary lymphoid tissue
Where lymphocytes are produced (lymphopoiesis)
Name some primary lymphoid organs
Thymus
Bone marrow
Liver (foetal)
T cell selection
Positive - can the T cell receptors signal
Negative - does it react against own body
Final selection and exit
Secondary lymphoid organs
Where lymphocytes react with antigens and other lymphocytes
Name some secondary lymphoid organs
Tonsils, lymph nodes, spleen
Complement opsonisation
Complement system is a group of proteins that react with one another to opsonise or directly kill bacteria
Complement factors help to
Make bacteria more recognisable and easier to engulf by phagocytise cells
MAC (membrane attack complexes) help to
Destroy bacterial cell membrane
Classical pathway
Binding of antibodies (IgM or IgG) to pathogen
Interact with complement proteins initiating enzymatic reactions activating the complement system
Lectin pathway
Lectins binding to carbohydrate patterns on microbial surfaces
Interact with complement proteins initiating cascade of enzymatic reactions activating complement system
Alternative pathway
Can be activated spontaneously
Membrane attack complex
Creates pores in membranes of invading pathogens
- influx of liquid
- cell lysis
- destruction of pathogen
Staphylococcus aureus
Gram negative bacteria able to cause a range of diseases
Degrades c3 preventing opsonisation, inhibiting initiation of classical pathway
Inhibits c1,c3 convertase, c5 convertase, c5
Capsules to prevent recognisation
