Lecture 13: GI Immunology (Grosche) Flashcards Preview

Undeleted > Lecture 13: GI Immunology (Grosche) > Flashcards

Flashcards in Lecture 13: GI Immunology (Grosche) Deck (41)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

fxs of the mucosal immune system

A

1) maintains immunological homeostasis along the epithelial surface in oral/nasal/respiratory/GI/urogenital cavities and tracts
2) mediates symbiotic relationship b/w host and endogenous microorganism
3) first line of physical and immunological defense against invading pathogens

2
Q

MALT

A

mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue

3
Q

NALT

A

nasopharynx-assoc. lymphoid tissue

4
Q

BALT

A

bronchus-assoc. lymphoid tissue

5
Q

GALT

A

gut-associated lymphoid tissue

6
Q

inductive site

A

regional MALT and follicle-associated epithelium containing microfold (M) cells. (M cells transport organisms and particles from the gut lumen to immune cells across the epithelial barrier, and thus are important in stimulating mucosal immunity)

7
Q

3 examples of antigen-presenting cells. What do they do?

A

dendritic cells, macrophages, B cells. Prime naive B and T cells to become effector cells

8
Q

what is the largest lymphoid organ in the body?

A

the gut

9
Q

major fxs of the GI tract

A

1) digestion/absorption of nutrients
2) barrier function
3) immune response

10
Q

Components of mucosal defense mechs.

A
  • extramucosal components
  • intact mucus epithelium
  • subepithelial/submucosal microcirculation and nervous system
  • mucosal immune system
  • ability of mucosa to undergo repair
11
Q

extramucosal components of mucosal defense mechanisms

A
  • saliva
  • HCl
  • digestive enzymes
  • water and electrolytes
  • mucus
  • immunoglobins
  • normal peristalsis
  • normal commensal microflora
12
Q

indigenous gut flora include 2 groups:

A

autochthonous (those with an evolutionary symbiotic relationship) and allochthonous flora (those with some pathogenic potential)

13
Q

non-indigenous gut flora include:

A

environmental flora (non-gut organisms acquired from the environment)

14
Q

what part of the gut are gram neg. and anaerobic bacteria more commonly found?

A

distal GI tract (past ileum)

15
Q

protective fxs of normal gut flora

A
  • pathogen displacement
  • nutrient competition
  • production of anti-microbial factors to attack pathogens
16
Q

metabolic fxs of normal gut flora

A
  • control of epithelial cell differentiation and proliferation
  • synthesis of vitamins
  • fermentation of non-digestible digestible dietary residues and mucus
  • ion absorption
  • salvage of energy
  • production of by-products
17
Q

structural fxs of normal gut flora

A
  • barrier fortification
  • induction of IgA
  • tightening of tight junctions
  • immune system development
18
Q

Where are Peyer’s patches located?

A

small intestine

19
Q

where are lymphoid follicles located?

A

throughout entire gut

20
Q

Describe the structure and function of a Peyer’s patch

A

Domes of tissue covered by an epithelial layer and M cells. M cells come into contact with luminal antigens and transport them to antigen-presenting cells. T cells, B-cells and memory cells are stimulated upon encountering antigen. These cells then pass to the mesenteric lymph nodes where the immune response is amplified. Activated lymphocytes pass into the blood stream and travel to the gut where they carry out their final effector functions.

21
Q

describe structure of the mucosal epithelium

A
  • monolayer of intestinal epithelial cells
  • apical junction complex
  • overlaying mucus layer
22
Q

what do goblet cells produce? What is its function?

A

mucus. Acts as physical barrier/bacterial adhesion/antibacterial substance

23
Q

main regulators of adaptive immunity

A

epithelial cells

24
Q

How do intestinal epi. cells effect innate immunity?

A

they maintain the density of apical microorganisms (antimicrobial peptides, neutrophils)

25
Q

3 components of the intestinal epithelial cell physical barrier

A
  • microvilli of brush border
  • tight junctions
  • glycocalyx and thick mucus layer
26
Q

compare the responsiveness to bacteria at the luminal surface of intestinal epithelial cells to the crypts in the epithelium

A

Low responsiveness at the luminal surface to commensal bacteria. However, the crypts must be kept sterile to protect the stem cells that reside there. The crypts have special receptors (paneth cells) that recognize microbes and activate a pro-inflammatory mechanism if bacteria invade

27
Q

transcellular vs. paracellular pathways through the intestinal epithelial barrier

A

transcellular: pathway for molecules to move directly across the epithelial cells; mediated with receptors and channels. (90%)
paracellular: substances move across barrier BETWEEN cells through tight junctions and adherens junctions. (10%)

28
Q

ileal transport of IgG in neonates

A

used for uptake of immunoglobulins from collostrum during the first 24hrs of life. IgG binds to Fc receptors on apical membrane and is transported to basolateral membrane via endocytosis

29
Q

What is the apical junction complex?

A

controls paracellular pathway via tight junctions and adherens junctions. Regulates permeability of the GI tract

30
Q

fxs of adherens junctions

A

maintains cellular proximity and intercellular communication. Required for assembly of tight junctions

31
Q

fxs of tight junctions

A
  • hold cell together
  • maintain cell polarity
  • regulate paracellular permeability
32
Q

immune cells of the lamina propria of the mucosal immune system

A
  • plasma cells
  • T and B cells
  • Dendritic cells
  • Macrophages
  • mast cells
33
Q

immune cells of the epithelium of the mucosal immune system

A

effector T cells

34
Q

the main immunoglobulin of the GI tract

A

IgA

35
Q

functions of secretory IgA

A
  • binds pathogens/toxins
  • neutralizes intracellular LPS
  • exports pathogens/toxins to apical surface
  • limits access of pathogens to mucosal surfaces w/o risking inflammatory damage
36
Q

how does the nervous system regulate mucosal immunity?

A

modulation via sympathetic, parasympathetic, and local peripheral nervous system. Transmitters, hormones, and receptors all help modulate a normal immune response (i.e. neuroendocrine hormones regulate cytokine balance)

37
Q

Mechanisms of intestinal tolerance to commensal bacteria

A
  • bacteria have impaired ability to escape mucus/invade epithelial barrier, low endotoxicity, and they inhibit the inflammatory pathway
  • mucosal epithelium has reduced expression of receptors and permanent activation of anti-inflammatory response
  • lamina propria has tolerogenic dendritic cells macrophages, and T cells, and produces anti-inflammatory cytokines
38
Q

Response of mucosal immune system to pathogens

A
  • recognition by complement, NK cells
  • inflammatory response
  • activation of adaptive immune system
  • destruction of pathogens + immunity
39
Q

failure to eradiate pathogens or to discriminate self from non-self leads to:

A

pathogen proliferation (sepsis), autoimmunity and allergy

40
Q

How is inflammation resolved?

A
  • neutrophil infiltration stopped
  • uptake and clearance of apoptotic cells and microorganisms
  • antimicrobial activity of mucosal epithelial cells stimulated
  • switch to biosynthesis of anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution lipid mediators (lipoxins, resolvins, protectins)
41
Q

Process of mucosal restitution and repair

A
  • villus contraction
  • restitution (migration of epithelial cells to seal exposed membrane)
  • closure of leaky intercellular spaces (tight junctions)
  • initiated by mediators released from nerves, immune effector cells, myofibroblasts, endothelial cells, extracellular matrix
  • “repair” occurs after “restitution”

Decks in Undeleted Class (134):