38 Questions
What was David Vetter suffering from?
Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
Why did David Vetter live in a specially constructed sterile environment?
To prevent infections due to his immunodeficiency
What is the main goal in order to prevent, treat, and even cure diseases?
To manipulate the immune system
What is necessary to understand in order to manipulate the immune system?
The key cells and molecules
What is necessary to understand the immune system?
To know where and what the immune system is
Where is the immune system located?
Integrated with other systems and scattered throughout the body
What do immune cells do in the body?
They migrate around the body
What diseases can occur when the immune system overreacts?
Asthma, atopic or allergic reactions, and autoimmune diseases
Where do mast cells typically reside in the body?
In peripheral tissues exposed to the environment
What is the function of receptors on mast cells?
To sense danger
What is the result of increased vascular permeability caused by mast cells?
Increased inflammation
What is the term for redness due to dilation of blood vessels?
Flare
What is the term for swelling due to release of serum into the tissue?
Wheal
What is the role of mast cells in inflammation?
To promote inflammation
Where do mast cells typically increase vascular permeability?
In peripheral tissues
What is the effect of mast cells on blood vessels?
Dilation of blood vessels
What is a primary function of cytokines in the immune system?
To modulate inflammatory and immune reactions
How do tissue-resident cells respond when danger is detected?
By releasing histamine and inflammatory cytokines
What is the result of dilated blood vessels during inflammation?
Increased blood flow to the affected area
What is the role of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells during inflammation?
To attracting innate immune cells
What type of cells are primarily attracted to the site of inflammation?
Neutrophils
How do cytokines communicate with cells?
Through the autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine manner
What is the primary function of innate immune cells, such as neutrophils?
To eliminate pathogens through phagocytosis
What is the result of the expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells?
Attraction of innate immune cells
What is a characteristic of the innate immune system in terms of response time?
Early and rapid response
How does the innate immune system respond to repeated encounters with the same microbe?
It responds the same way each time
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the innate immune system?
Is specific to particular pathogens
What is the primary function of epithelial barriers in the innate immune system?
To provide a physical barrier against pathogens
Which type of cell is involved in the innate immune system?
Phagocytes
What is the role of cytokines in the innate immune system?
To communicate between cells
How does the innate immune system interact with the adaptive immune system?
It interacts with the adaptive immune system
What is a characteristic of the innate immune system in terms of its response to the host?
It is non-reactive to the host
How do epithelial, endothelial, and resident immune cells sense danger?
By expressing receptors on their surface
What is the main difference between self and non-self cells in the context of the innate immune system?
The expression of patterns on the cell surface
What is the purpose of the innate immune system's recognition of patterns?
To differentiate between self and non-self cells
What is unique about the patterns expressed by microbes?
They are different from the patterns expressed by human cells
What is the role of receptors on the surface of epithelial, endothelial, and resident immune cells?
To recognize and respond to danger
Why is the recognition of patterns by the innate immune system important?
It allows the immune system to differentiate between self and non-self
Study Notes
David Vetter: "Bubble Boy"
- Lived from 1971 to 1984
- Had severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
- Spent most of his life in a sterile environment ("bubble")
- Received a bone marrow transplant
- Died from Burkitt's lymphoma at the age of 12
The Power of the Immune System
- The immune system can overreact, leading to conditions like asthma, atopic or allergic reactions, and autoimmune diseases (e.g. multiple sclerosis, SLE, Type 1 diabetes)
- The study of immunology goes beyond just infectious diseases
Understanding the Immune System
- To prevent, treat, and cure diseases, the immune system must be manipulated
- To manipulate the immune system, it must be understood
- Understanding the immune system requires knowledge of its components, including key cells, molecules, and interactions
Where is the Immune System?
- The immune system is integrated with other systems (gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, endocrine, skin)
- Immune cells are scattered throughout the body, with some migrating and others remaining in one place (tissue "resident" immune cells)
Hallmarks of the Innate Immune System
- Speed: early and rapid response
- Short-lived duration
- Repetitive: responds the same way each time a microbe is encountered
- Interactive: interacts with other cells of the innate immune system and cells of the adaptive immune system
- Non-reactive to the host
Components of Innate Immunity
- Epithelial barriers
- Cells in circulation and tissues (e.g. phagocytes)
- Molecules (e.g. cytokines, blood proteins)
The Innate Immune System Recognises Patterns
- Epithelial, endothelial, and resident immune cells express receptors that sense danger
- Microbes express distinct patterns, while self-cells do not
- This allows the innate immune system to distinguish between self and non-self
Mast Cells
- Mast cells reside in peripheral tissues (skin, lung, gut)
- Mast cells have receptors that sense danger
- Mast cells increase vascular permeability and promote inflammation
Cytokines
- Proteins produced and secreted by many different cell types
- Modulate inflammatory and immune reactions
- Key mediators of communication between cells
- Can target cells in an autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine manner
Tissue-Resident Cells
- 1st responders to danger
- Release histamine and inflammatory cytokines
- Dilation of blood vessels and increased blood flow to the area (redness and swelling)
- Attract innate immune cells (neutrophils) and plasma proteins
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