immune Flashcards

1
Q

Cytokines

A

Molecules that control growth and activity of immune cells e.g interleukin and interferon.

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2
Q

Chemokines

A

Molecules that stimulate migration of immune cells e.g chemical trails

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3
Q

How are MHC-I antigens processed (Endogenous)

A
  • Antigenic proteins are degraded to peptides in the cytoplasm
  • The peptides are then imported to the endoplasmic reticulum
  • loading of MHC-I occurs at the ER and then the MHC-I with the antigenic peptide is sent to the surface
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4
Q

What are lymph nodes

A

Secondary lymphatic organs. Nodes along lymphatic vessels where lymph fluid from blood and tissue is filtered. It is the site of immune responses

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5
Q

TCR Gene rearrangement

A

The variable part of the TCR is rearranged. This process if completely rearranged and increases the diversity of the T-cell repertoire.

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6
Q

BCR (B cell receptors)

A

The surface of each B cell contains 100,000 BCR (mainly IgM and IgD).
BCR bind to native antigen, which activates the B cell.
BCR are antibodies that are membrane anchored by transmembrane domains.

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7
Q

antimicrobial peptides

A

Also called defensins. Found in the dermis of the skin.
Function is to form pores in the microbial cell membrane

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8
Q

Describe the Physical and chemical characteristics of the mucosal membrane.

A

The mucosal membrane is made up of 1-2 tightly packed live epithelial cells that are constantly being renewed and contain mucous producing goblet cells.
They line parts of the body that lead to the outside and are exposed to air.
The mucociliary escalator uses cilia to move mucous up to the pharynx.
Chemically, the stomach has low pH, gall bladder produces bile, intestines have digestive enzymes, mucous, defensins, lyzozymes (tears, urine)

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9
Q

Neutrophils

A

Granulocytes in the blood. Circulate the blood and can move into tissue during inflammation.
Neutrophils make up 75% of all leukocytes, are highly phagocytic, and numbers in blood increase during infection.

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10
Q

Mast Cells

A

Granulocytes in tissue. Line the mucousal surfaces (not found in tissue). They release granules to attract white blood cells during infection.

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11
Q

Monocytes

A

Low phagocytosis in blood but can move to tissues e.g spleen, liver, where they become macrophages.

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12
Q

Macrophages

A

In tissues they can be resident (sessile) or move through the tissues (migratory). They have 3 functions, phagocytosis, release of chemical messengers, and antigen presenting to T cells.

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13
Q

Dendritic cells

A

Phagocytic cells found in low numbers in the blood and all tissues in contact with the environment. They are antigen presenting, and are the most important cell for linking the innate and adaptive immune response.

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14
Q

How are immune cells carried around the body?

A

Cells are carried in blood and lymph. The cells can leave the blood into the tissues as required.

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15
Q

Fever

A

Fever/pyrexia is an abnormal increase of body temperature above 37 degrees. It is a resetting of the thermostat (hypothalamus). Pyrogens are released by cells of the immune system, such as cytokine interleukin-1 that is produced by phagocytes, this produces fever. Fever is useful because it enhances the performance of immune cells, and produces unfavourable conditions for pathogens.

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16
Q

Describe the 6 steps of the inflammatory response.

A
  1. Tissue resident cells release chemical signals that attract more immune cells to the site of infection
  2. Leukocytosis: Neutrophils enter the capillary from the bone marrow.
  3. Margination: Neutrophils cling to the capillary wall.
  4. chemical signals from tissue resident cells cause the blood vessel to dilate, causing the capillary to become leaky.
  5. Diapsedis: neutrophils squeeze through the leaky capillary wall.
  6. Chemotaxis: neutrophils follow the chemical trail towards the site of infection
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17
Q

What activates classical pathway

A

Complement binding to antibody on pathogen

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18
Q

What activates alternative pathway

A

Complement bound to pathogen binds to surface/pathogen component.

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19
Q

What activates lectin pathway

A

Complement binding to carbohydrate component of the pathogen.

20
Q

What are the 3 outcomes of the complement cascade?

A
  1. Label/opsonise
  2. Recruitment of Phagocytes
  3. Destroy (lysis)
21
Q

Label/oponise outcome

A

Pathogens are coated in C3b complement or antibodies. This makes them more tasty to phagocytes.

22
Q

Recruitment of Phagocytes outcome

A

Mast cells are degranulated by C3a and C5a, causing phagocytes to be attracted.
Inflammatory mediators are also released, including proteins that attract phagocytes.

23
Q

Destroy Outcome

A

C3b coated proteins are phagocytosed. C9 causes membrane attack complex (MAC) to be formed, forming a pore in the microbial membrane causing lysis.

24
Q

What are 3 ways immune cells communicate with eachother

A
  1. Soluble molecules (cytokines or chemokines) binding to receptors on a cell membrane
  2. Cell surface bound receptors binding to cell surface bound ligands.
  3. Antigen being presented to cell-surface bound receptors.
25
Q

Describe soluble molecules (cytokines or chemokines) binding to receptors on a cell membrane

A

Cytokines bind and cause a chemical message to be sent to the nucleus which causes increase or decrease of gene expression.
Chemokines do the same, but also activate molecules that direct the cell’s movement.

26
Q

Cell surface bound receptors binding to cell surface bound ligands.

A

Alters the function of one or both of the cells. E.g T and B cell.

27
Q

How do helper T cells activate B cells

A

Helper T cells secrete cytokines that bind to receptors on B cell membranes.
Helper T cells have surface bound recpeotrs that bind to surface bound ligands of B cells.
This communication leads to the activation of B cells, to produce antibodies.

28
Q

Apoptosis

A

Programmed cell death

28
Q

Perforin and granzymes

A

Produced by CD8 cytotoxic T cells that cause apoptosis in virally infected cells.

29
Q

where do B cells develop

A

in the bone marrow

30
Q

Plasma cells

A

Activated B cells that secrete antibody

31
Q

Memory B cells

A

Stimulation of B cells by antigen and CD4 T cells causes formation of plasma cells. In addition, a small pool of activated B cells become memory cells. These are cells that can persist in the blood and lymphatic tissues for many years. They express BCR but do not secrete antibody. They respond rapidly to antigen encounter and become plasma cells.

32
Q

IgM

A

Pentamer.
First Ig class produced after initial exposure to antigen.
Targets extracellular bacteria.
Very effective in activating complement.
Expressed on naïve B cells.

33
Q

IgD

A

Monomer.
Expressed on naïve B cells.
Acts as a BCR.
No specific function.

34
Q

IgE

A

Monomer
Present in blood in low concentrations.
Immunity against multicellular parasites.
Allergic response (penicillin, pollen).
Activates mast cells.

35
Q

IgG

A

Monomer.
Most abundant Ig class in the blood.
Passed through placenta so grants unborn child immunity.
Targets bacteria and viruses.
Oponises/neutralises

36
Q

IgA

A

Diemer
Monomeric form in blood.
Present in secretions such as tears, saliva, mucus
Present in breast milk, providing passive immunity for infant child.
Targets virus/bacteria.

37
Q

SCID

A

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency
X-linked disease that affects more males than females.
Parents lack functional T and B cells.

38
Q

HIV

A

Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Targets CD4 T cells
Diminished CD4 T cells means that they can’t ‘help’ CD8 T cells to become cytotoxic or B cells to become activated.
HIV infection means the individual is more suceptible to viruses, fungi, bacteria, and cancer.

39
Q

Clonal expansion

A

Selective expansion of lymphocytes that interact with antigen

40
Q

Live attenuated Vaccines

A

Mumps, measles, rubella, polio-sabin

41
Q

Killed Vaccines

A

Polio-salk, some SARS-CoV2 and some influenza

42
Q

Sub-unit protein

A

tetanus, SARS-CoV2

43
Q

Subunit mRNA

A

SARS-CoV2 (E.g Pfizer or Moderna Vaccine)

44
Q

Adjuvants

A

Immune stimulants added to vaccines that enhance the activation of antigen presenting cells.
For example: mRNA SARS-2 vaccine is intrinsically adjuvanted : the lipid encapsulated mRNA is immunostimulatory
mRNA can stimulate Toll-like receptors