The Human Immune Response (MODULE 6A &6B) Flashcards
(152 cards)
Which of the following best describes the meaning of the word “innate” based on its medical word parts?
Relating to the immune system
Acquired through experience
Born within or inborn
Occurring outside the body
Born within or inborn
Which of the following best describes the meaning of “prostaglandin” based on its medical word parts?
A substance that promotes stomach acid production
A type of protein found in the adrenal gland
An enzyme that breaks down fats in the digestive system
A hormone-like compound that regulates various bodily processes
A hormone-like compound that regulates various bodily processes
Based on the medical word parts of “histamine,” which of the following most accurately describes its meaning?
A substance that causes tissue damage
A hormone produced by the pituitary gland
A protein found in mast cells
An amine compound playing a role in the immune process
An amine compound playing a role in the immune process
Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of a pyrogen in the human body?
Inhibits the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center
Directly increases metabolic rate in peripheral tissues
Stimulates the hypothalamic heat-sensing neurons
Activates the innate immune system to induce fever
Activates the innate immune system to induce fever
Which of the following best describes the meaning of “epitope” based on its medical word parts?
A specific site on an antigen
A protein that causes inflammation
A substance that produces antibodies
A type of white blood cell
A specific site on an antigen
Overview of the Body’s Defences. *possibly draw out this chart on slide 3
Innate -
Aka: First line of defense; nonspecific
Status at time of birth: ready and functional
Time to become active: minutes
Immunologic Memory: no
Adaptive -
Aka: Second line of defense; specific; acquired
Status at time of birth: ready to develop in response to encounters with microbes
Time to become active: days
Immunologic Memory: yes
Major Components of Innate and Adaptive Immunity
Innate Immunity • Passive barriers:
o Physical barriers
o Chemical barriers
o Microbiome • Complement • Inflammation • Phagocytosis • Non-phagocytic killing
Adaptive Immunity • Cell-mediated immune response
(cytotoxic) • Humoral immune response
(antibodies)
*Even though we discuss each of these major functions separately, they are intertwined and collaborate with each other – there are not separate, independently functioning ‘lines of defense’
Physical Defenses of Nonspecific Innate Immunity are?
Cellular barriers -
EX: Skin, mucous membranes,
Function: Deny entry to pathogens
endothelial cells
Mechanical defenses -
EX: Shedding of skin cells, mucociliary, sweeping, peristalsis, flushing potential sites of infection
action of urine and tears
Function:Remove pathogens from potential sites of infection
Microbiome -
EX: Resident bacteria of the skin, Compete with pathogens upper respiratory tract, gastro-
intestinal tract, and genitourinary tract.
Function: Compete with pathogens for cellular binding sites and nutrients
Physical Barriers: Cellular Barriers
Overview:
- Prevent pathogens from reaching
susceptible tissues
• Skin, mucous membranes, epithelial cells
• Tight junctions between cells:
o Complementary proteins in cell membrane of
adjacent cells
o Most commonly: One is a glycoprotein and the
complementary protein a lectin with a specific
binding site for the oligosaccharide of the
glycoprotein
Chemical Barriers
- Sebaceous glands in dermis sebum (oil) seals hair follicle pore
and sweat glands
• Lipases from skin microbiome bacteria leads to release of fatty
acids from sebum oil mildly acid environment adverse for many
pathogens
• Salt from sweat also produces adverse growth conditions
• Stomach acid is detrimental for many microorganisms
• Lysozyme in tears and mucus in esophagus breaks down
peptidoglycan in bacterial cell wall
• Antimicrobial peptides: class of nonspecific cell-derived mediators with broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties
T or F
Without a cell wall bacteria cells are not viable
T
What are the jobs of regulatory compounds in plasma protein mediators?
Regulatory compounds act in small numbers and have strong effects, often through cascading mechanisms (e.g., the blood clotting cascade)
What percentage do regulatory proteins make up in the plasma of blood?
<1%
What are the three major groups fo F plasma protiens mediators?
- Acute-phase proteins
- Complement protiens
- Cytokines
Acute-phase protiens are a class of ____________ mediators.
Antimicrobial
What plasma protein mediator is primarily produced in the liver?
Acute-phase proteins
Name examples of acute-phase proteins.
C-reactive protein and Serum amyloid A - Coats bacteria (opsonization) -> phagocytosis
Ferritin and Transferrin - Bind and sequester iron -> inhibits (or slows down) growth *Inhibit Iron
Fibrinogen - Involved in blood clot formation -> traps bacterial pathogens
Mannose-binding lectin - Activation of complement cascade (‘lectin pathway’)
Discuss the overview of the complement system. (Plasma protein mediators) What is it?
Group of plasma proteins (>30 proteins, including C1-C9)
• Some are present as inactive precursors that get activated
when the cascade gets triggered (3 possible triggers)
• Contributes to innate defense
• Connects innate and adaptive immunity
Name and describe the three ways of complement activation.
Alternative Pathway:
How it gets Triggered - presence of invading microbe
Depends on - self-decay of inactive C3; if it does not bind to microbes, C3b gets lysed
Classical Pathway:
How it gets Triggered - Presence of antibody-antigen complex (immune complex)
Depends on - Up regulation of adaptive immunity (humoral immunity)
Lectin Pathway:
How it gets Triggered - Lectins binding to mannose containing microbial surface structure
Depends on - From liver and other cells and macrophages (involved in inflammation)
T or F
It takes days for the up-regulation of adaptive immunity
T
Tied to classical pathway - up regulation of adaptive immunity (humoral immunity)
Three Outcomes of Complement Activation are?
Inflammation increase:
Responsible Complement protein - C3a, C4a, C5a
Consequences - Inflammation attracts phagocytic cells
Opsonization:
Responsible Complement protein - C3b
Consequences - Attracts phagocytic cells
Formation of membrane attack complex (MAC):
Responsible Complement protein - C5b
Consequences - Creates holes in membranes
**Look at the complement system on slide 18 and understand process *Look at PPT
Cytokines Overview:
- Soluble proteins • Act as communication signals between cells
o Originate from certain cells
o Bind to receptor of other cells • Three important classes:
o Interleukins
o Chemokines
o Interferons
Pro-Inflammatory Mediators are?
• Histamine (derived from amino acid histidine)
o Released by mast cells (and basophils)
o Leads to vasodilation (inflammation) and effects related to hypersensitivity
• Eicosanoids (from omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid)
o Released by mast cells in vicinity of damaged cells and by damaged cells (if
viable)
o Leukotrienes: similar effects as histamine, but stronger o Prostaglandins: cause pain, make blood vessels leaky; promote fever
• Bradykinin (short polypeptide)
o Makes blood vessels leaky leukocytes and fluid leave blood vessels
o Causes edema
o Activation can be triggered when blood clotting cascade is triggered or upon
contact of the inactive form with foreign surfaces (metal, glass,…)