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Immunology > Immune System - Introduction > Flashcards

Immune System - Introduction Flashcards

Components of the immune system: B lymphocytes, T cells, dendritic cells, APCs... (84 cards)

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1
Q

The immune system is not localised to a single location (T/F)

A

True; it is spread throughout the body

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2
Q

Immune system function

A

Utilizes a series of defense mechanisms that help protect cells of the body from pathogens

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3
Q

Pathogen - define

A

Living/non living agent that can cause harm to the body cells

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4
Q

Immunology - define

A
  • Branch of biomedical science
  • Deals with the response of an organism to
    antigenic challenge and its recognition of
    what is self and what is not
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5
Q

Leukocytes - define

A

All WBCs

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6
Q

Lymphocyte - what kind of cell is it?

A

Type of WBC

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7
Q

All lymphocytes are leukocytes but not all leukocytes are lymphocytes (T/F)

A

True

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8
Q

Components of the immune system

A

Cells - leukocytes
Tissues
Organs

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9
Q

Tissues in immune system

A

Secondary lymphatic tissues - spleen, tonsils, lymph vessels, lymph nodes, adenoids, skin, and liver.

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10
Q

Organs in immune system

A

Bone marrow (sponge-like tissue inside the bones)
Thymus (behind the breastbone above the heart)
Lymph nodes
Spleen
Tonsils
Mucous membranes

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11
Q

Term for cellular differentiation in immunology

A

Haematopoiesis

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12
Q

Pluripotent vs multipotent and unipotent

A

While pluripotent stem cells may give rise to all types of cells in an organism, Multipotent and Unipotent stem cells remain restricted to the particular tissue or lineages.

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13
Q

Multipotential Haematopoietic Stem Cell/HSC is Multipotent i.e. ability to differentiate into all functional blood cells (T/F)

A

True; Responsible for blood and immune cells (white blood cells)

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14
Q

HSC has Self-renewal (T/F)

A

True, has ability to give rise to HSC without differentiation

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15
Q

Common Lymphoid Progenitor/CLP

A

Earliest lymphoid progenitor cell

Gives rise to T, B and NK cells along with DCs

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16
Q

B lymphocyte/ B cell functions

- Named B cell due to location of discovery - where?

A

Found in bone marrow

Produces antigen specific immunoglobulins, aka, antibodies, against invasive pathogens
Also presents antigens and secrete cytokines

B memory cells also

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17
Q

T lymphocyte – T cells functions

- Named T cell due to location of maturation - where?

A

Originates in bone marrow
Matures in Thymus to become mature T cell before being released into periphery

Various types exists with varying functions
Assisting B cells, production of cytokines, regulation of immune responses and killing of infected
and cancerous cells

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18
Q

Natural Killer Cells/NKCs - functions

- Why are they called natural?

A

“Natural” - don’t need priming to kill infected cells; no signal needed – only for cytotoxic T cells

Killing of virally infected cells
Detecting and controlling early signs of cancer

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19
Q

“Natural” as they don’t need priming to kill infected cells, unlike T cells (T/F)

A

True

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20
Q

What is the precursor of erythrocytes, thrombocytes, granulocytes, monocyte-macrophages, dendritic cells, mast cells and osteoclasts ?

A

Common Myeloid Progenitor / CMP

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21
Q

Mast cell functions

A

Defense in parasitic infections and role in allergic reactions
Releases cytokines and inflammatory mediators

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22
Q

What is a long lived tissue resident cell in the immune system?

A

Mast Cell

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23
Q

Function of bones in immune system

A

Harbors hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and immune progenitor cells (ability to differentiate into specialized cells).
Osteoclasts break down calcium in bones which moves into blood and osteoblasts deposit calcium into bones

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24
Q

What kind of cell is a Myeloblast

A

Unipotent stem cell
Differentiates into various effector cells

Immature WBC
Forms in BM

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25
Basophil - type of cell
WBC | Produced in BM but found all over body
26
What could low basophil count mean?
Severe allergic reaction
27
Eosinophils - type of cell and function
Type of WBC Causes inflammation Defense against parasites via antibody or complement system
28
Most effective phagocyte is?
Neutrophils
29
Bactericidal mechanisms of Neutrophils - explain
Neutrophils use oxygen-dependent and oxygen independent processes to kill ingested microorganisms. The phagocytosis of bacterial pathogens leads to the formation of potent antimicrobial ROS
30
Are monocytes phagocytic? Where are they found? Where do they mature?
Phagocytic cells found in the blood stream | Matures into macrophages upon migration to tissues
31
Largest leukocyte
Monocyte
32
Monocytes can differentiate into what cells?
Macrophages and myeloid lineage dendritic cells
33
Monocytes don't influence adaptive immunity (T/F)
False; monocytes influence the process of adaptive immunity.
34
High and low monocytes indicate what respectively?
High levels = chronic infection, an autoimmune or blood disorder, cancer Low levels = chemotherapy and radiation therapy (injure BM)
35
Macrophages - function
Detecting, engulfing and destroying pathogens and apoptotic cells (programmed cell death).
36
Macrophages can be considered the differentiated form of monocytes, why?
When there is tissue damage or infection, the monocytes leave the bloodstream and enter the affected tissue or organ and undergo a series of changes to become macrophages.
37
Which immune cell has these functions? Antigen presentation to T cell Initiation of activation of B and T cells
Dendritic cells
38
Dendritic cells are a messenger between adaptive and innate immune system (T/F)
True
39
Lymphoid organs are divided into?
Primary/Central Lymphoid Organs and Secondary/Peripheral Lymphoid Organs
40
Where are Lymphocytes generated?
Primary Lymphoid organs
41
Where are Lymphocytes maintained?
Secondary lymphoid organs
42
Adaptive immune responses are initiated in which organ?
Secondary lymphoid organs
43
Which organ allows Ag to enter?
Secondary lymphoid organs; Ag cannot enter primary lymphoid organs
44
Major phagocytes of immune system
Neutrophils and macrophages
45
Antigen Presenting Cells / APCs
B cell, dendritic cells, macrophages
46
Function of Dendritic cells in linking adaptive and innate immunity
DCs are sentinels, able to capture, process and present antigens and to migrate to lymphoid tissues to select rare, antigen-reactive T cell clones.
47
Role of lymphoid organs
Develop and provide immunity for the body
48
Primary lymphoid organs - name them
``` Bone marrow (blood and immune cells are produced here) Thymus, where T-lymphocytes mature. ```
49
Secondary lymphoid organs - name them
Spleen, lymph nodes, GALT, MALT, BALT
50
Mature B and T cells enter the bloodstream and migrate to secondary/peripheral lymphoid organs (T/F)
True
51
B cells originate in BM and mature in thymus (T/F)
False, T cells do this
52
Primary lymphoid organs mature with age (T/F)
True
53
Role of secondary lymphoid organs
Trap Ag-bearing DCs Allow initiation of adaptive immune responses Provide signals to sustain recirculating lymphocytes
54
Secondary lymphoid organs increase in size with age (T/F)
True
55
GALT, BALT, MALT | abbreviations and their role
Mucosa Associated Lymphoid Tissue Bronchus Associated Lymphoid Tissue Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue - Found in areas open to outside exposure, easy for pathogen to enter thus these tissues are employed
56
What does the body produce in response to mistaking a normal cell for foreign cell aka allergies?
Histamine
57
Lymph is made up of?
Serum, not blood
58
What carries lymph?
Lymph capillaries
59
Where are lymph nodes located?
At points of convergence of vessels of the lymphatic system
60
Ag presenting cells can only pass into the lymph nodes from the infected tissue via Afferent lymphatic vessels (T/F)
True, cells move out of the lymph node via efferent lymphatic vessel
61
How is the interaction between dendritic cells, B cells and T cells facilitated?
T cella nd B cells enter the lymph node via endothelial venules and leave via efferent lymphatic tissue making them interact from time to time
62
Process of response to infection in the lymph nodes
1. Proteins from pathogen reaches dendritic cells in lymph node / is carried to the lymph node by migrating dendritic cells 2. Protein fragments “presented” to T cells. (Continual interactions btw dendritic cells and T cell ensure that a T cell will soon be found that recognises the pathogen protein) 3. T cell will divide and coordinate the immune response against the pathogen. 4. Some of dividing T cells’ daughters travel to B cell follicle and promote B-cell division and maturation (enables production of essential antibodies for fighting many infections)
63
In LNs, B cells are not localised in follicles and T cells are diffusely distributed (T/F)
False; In LNs, B cells ARE localised in follicles while T cells are diffusely distributed
64
Function of spleen
Collects Ag from the blood
65
What happens to B cells in the spleen?
Maturation of B cells into plasma cells in germinal centre of spleen and they produce antibodies
66
Basolateral - define
Situated below and toward the side
67
Basolateral membrane - define
Fraction of plasma membrane which faces adjacent cells and underlying connective tissue.
68
Where are M cells found?
Found in basolateral membrane in intestinal follicle-associated epithelium of intestinal Peyer's patches of GALT
69
M cells - function in GALT
M cells - important for antigen sampling/ taking in antigens to initiate an immune response
70
Why are dendritic cells found in GALT?
Important initiating the adaptive immune response
71
B cells in follicles and T cells are also found in GALT (T/F)
True
72
Define luminal
The inner open space or cavity of a tubular organ, as of a blood vessel or an intestine
73
What are peyer's patches and where are they found?
Small masses of lymphatic tissue found throughout the ileum region of the small intestine.
74
Peyer's patches - function in intestines
Monitors intestinal bacteria populations + prevents growth of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines
75
Follicle Associated Epithelial cells consist of?
FAE - Composed of specialized IECs that cover luminal side of the lymphoid follicles of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT)
76
How does antigen sampling work in GALT?
1. FAEs secrete chemokines that attract lymphocytes and dendritic cells (by receptors) 2. Dendritic cells know antigen is present and that M cell is about to take it up 3. M cells takes up Ag by endocytosis 4. Ag transported from lumen to Peyer's patches via transcytosis 5. Peyer's patches excrete Ag and dendritic cells, present in lumen can now engulf Ag and present to MHC/ adaptive immune cells
77
What is BALT and what does it consist of?
A tertiary lymphoid structure. It is a part of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT), and it consists of lymphoid follicles in the lungs and bronchus.
78
BALT - function
Protects the respiratory epithelium
79
MALT - function
Protects other mucosa
80
Cytokines - functions
Chemical messengers - directing cells to do actions Play roles in: - Movement of cells, - Differentiation of cells, - Activation of cells (e.g. Abs release to activate complement), - Increase and decrease an inflammatory response - Promotes clearance of dead cells/Ab complex E.g. cytokines guide HSE to differentiate into progenitors
81
What are gamma delta (γδ) T cells and where are they found?
‘Unconventional’ T cells; found in gut mucosa within population of lymphocytes known as intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs)
82
Compare γδ T cells and αβ T cells
γδ T cells - expression of T-cell receptors (TCRs) composed of γ and δ chains. αβ T cells - express αβ TCRs Note: αβ T cells also called CD4+ helper T cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells
83
γδ T cells are more common than αβ T cells with lowest amount found in gut mucosa (T/F)
False; this group of T cells is usually less common than αβ T cells, but are at their highest abundance in the gut mucosa
84
Do γδ T cells need antigen processing and presentation?
γδ T cells are peculiar in that they do not seem to require antigen processing and major-histocompatibility-complex (MHC) presentation.

Immunology (4 decks)

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