Unit 6 Flashcards
(311 cards)
What are viruses?
Submicroscopic pathogens whose size is measured in nanometers
Describe the basic structure of a virus
- A core of DNA or RNA packaged into a protein coat ( capsid)
- in some viruses, the capsid is surrounded by an outer envelope of glycolipids and proteins derived from the host-cell membrane
- obligate, intracellular
What are the steps of the basic virus lifecycle?
① attachment of the virus to a receptor on the host cell surface
② penetration of virus into host cell through endocytosis
③ degradation of the viral capsid and subsequent release of viral nucleic acid.
④ transcription to produce additional viral nucleic acid
⑤ translation of viral nuclei acid to produce viral proteins
⑥ assembly of the viral components to produce intact virions
⑦ budding off the host-cell membrane or host-cell lysis results
⑧ release of viral progeny
What are the defenses types against a virus?
- Innate defenses
- humoral antibody responses
- cell-mediated immunity
Describe innate defenses against viruses
- First line of protection (initial barriers)
- skin and mucous membrane barriers
- recognition of PAMPs on virus-infected host cells
- interferons alpha and beta
What occurs if the initial barrier of innate defense does not work?
Other innate defenses are activated when cells of the innate immunity recognize PAMPs on surface or within virus infected host cells
What are other innate defenses against viruses?
- viral cells are stimulated to produce IFN-alpha and IFN- beta after recognizing viral RNA by TLRs
- IFNs inhibit viral replication by inducing transcription of several genes that code for proteins with antiviral activity
- they also enhance activity of NK cells
How do NK cells fight against viruses?
- Bind to virus-infected cells and release proteins such as a perforin and granzymes, causing cells to die and release viruses and are now accessible to antibody molecules
What plays a key role in preventing the spread of viral infection through neutralization?
Antibodies
Describe antibodies role in preventing the spread of viral infection through neutralization
-Involves production of antibodies that are specific for a component of the virus that binds to a receptor on the host-cell membrane
- when these neutralizing antibodies bind to the virus, they prevent it from attaching to and penetrating the host cell. IgA plays large role in this.
- IgG and IgM can bind to viruses in blood stream and inhibit dissemination of infection
- IgG and IgM activate complement
- IgG also promote phagocytosis of viruses and promote destruction of viruses through ADCC
- IgM also viral particles by agglutinating them
What does intracellular viruses require?
Cell-mediated immunity
What cells have key roles in cell mediated immunity?
-Th1 cells
- cytotoxic T cells
Describe Th1 cells actions that occur in cell mediated immunity
- Produce IFN-gamma, which induces an antiviral ‘ state within the virus-infected cells
- produce IL-2, which assistsin development of effector cytotoxic T cells
Describe cytotoxic T cells actions that occur in cell mediated immunity
- CD8 + cytotoxic T cells become programmed to expand in number and attack the virus infected cells
- CD8 is a co-receptor of t-cell receptor on cytotoxic T cells that must bind to viral antigen complexed with MHC class I on infected cell surfaces
What occurs after cytotoxic T cells bind to viral antigen complexed with MHC class I?
- Stimutate granules in the cytotoxic T cells to release perforin and granzymes entering the pores
What are perforins?
- protein that produces pores in the membrane of the infected host cell
What are granzymes?
- Protease that enter cells through pores created by perforin.
What occurs once granzymes enter the viral infected cell?
- Activate apoptosis in the host cell, interrupting the viral-replication cycle and resulting in release of assembled infectious virions
- The free virions can then be bound by antibodies
Describe humoral antibody responses
- Antibodies attack free virus particles
- viral neutralization, opsonization, C’ fixation, and ADCC
What are viral escape mechanisms? And examples?
① mutations results in production of new viral antigens (influenza viruses undergo frequent genetic changes)
② viruses block action of immune system components (HSV can bind C3b)
③ suppression of the immune response (CMV reduces MHC I
④ immune function altered (EBV stimulates polyclonal B-cell activation)
⑤ latent state is established (VZV remains latent in nerve cells)
What laboratory test are ran to detect a viral infection?
- Serological tests
-distinguish between current and past infection
-antibody titers used to monitor course of infection
-assess immune status - molecular
-detect active infection
-quantitative tests→ guide antiviral therapy
How are current and past infections detected?
- IgM (+) and IgG (+/-) → current or recent infection. (congenital)
- IgM (-) and IgG (+) → past infection
What does the presence of virus-specific IgG indicate?
Immunity to virus
What is the hepatitis virus?
- Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver