Immunology and Early Vaccination Practices

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Questions and Answers

What ancient practice in China involved injecting dry smallpox pustules to induce a mild infection?

Variolation (correct)

Vaccination

Inoculation

Germ therapy

Who is credited with starting the first vaccination campaigns against smallpox in 1798?

Paul Ehrlich

Edward Jenner (correct)

Robert Koch

Louis Pasteur

What did Louis Pasteur's Germ Theory propose?

Diseases are a punishment from the gods.

Diseases are caused by microscopic organisms. (correct)

Diseases are caused by imbalances in bodily fluids.

Diseases are inherited genetically.

What was William Coley's hypothesis based on his observations?

Inoculating patients with bacteria could shrink tumors. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which theory was proposed by Paul Ehrlich in 1908?

Immunosurveillance theory (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which experiment supported the idea that immune cells can distinguish tumor cells from normal cells?

Thomas and Burnet's syngeneic mouse model (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was a major criticism of the immunosurveillance theory?

It lacked experimental evidence. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the immune system's role in cancer is TRUE?

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

How did Coley's toxins contribute to cancer treatment?

They used bacterial infections to stimulate the immune system. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of modern therapy inspired by Coley's work?

Onco-BCG (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of immune response involves T cells and B cells?

Adaptive immune response (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do T cells recognize antigens?

By recognizing antigen-MHC complexes. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What happens if a T cell recognizes a self-antigen in the thymus?

It is eliminated. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which immune cells are primarily responsible for phagocytosis in the innate immune system?

Neutrophils and macrophages (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a major function of regulatory T cells (Tregs)?

Suppress other immune cells. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which molecule is crucial for antigen presentation on cells?

MHC-I (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of immunity provides a rapid, non-specific response to infection?

Innate immunity (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of B cells in the immune response?

Produce antibodies. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of a cytokine storm?

Excessive and damaging inflammation. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of immune response is most associated with autoimmune diseases?

Adaptive immune response (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the first phase of the immunoediting process?

Elimination (A) Signup and view all the answers

During the elimination phase, what do immune cells primarily release to kill tumor cells?

IFN-y (A) Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the equilibrium phase of tumor evolution?

Tumor cells and immune cells in a dynamic balance. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which concept is closely linked to the equilibrium phase?

Darwinian micro-evolution (C) Signup and view all the answers

What leads to the escape phase in the immunoediting process?

Tumor cells gaining the ability to suppress the immune system. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How long can the equilibrium phase last?

Up to 20 years or more (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the critical rupture point in tumor progression?

When tumor cells can actively suppress immune responses. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which phase is associated with clinically detectable tumors?

Escape (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a neo-antigen?

A mutated protein unique to cancer cells. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the immune system act during the equilibrium phase?

It continuously attacks but cannot eliminate the tumor. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ancient Practices and Early Vaccination Campaigns

Variolation, a Chinese practice, involved injecting smallpox pustules to induce a mild infection.
Edward Jenner is credited with initiating smallpox vaccination campaigns in 1798.

Germ Theory and Cancer Treatment

Louis Pasteur's Germ Theory proposed that diseases are caused by microscopic organisms, not imbalances in bodily fluids or punishment.
William Coley's hypothesis suggested that inoculating patients with bacteria could shrink tumors.
Paul Ehrlich proposed the Immunosurveillance theory in 1908.

Immune Cell Distinction of Tumor Cells

Thomas and Burnet's experiments using a syngeneic mouse model supported the idea that immune cells differentiate normal from tumor cells.

Immunosurveillance Theory Critiques

A major criticism of the immunosurveillance theory was its lack of experimental evidence. The theory was too focused on bacterial responses.

Immune System's Role in Cancer

Immunodeficient individuals tend to develop more cancers.

Coley's Toxins and Cancer Treatment

Coley's toxins (bacterial extracts) stimulated the immune system to fight tumors, inspiring modern therapies like Onco-BCG.

Immune Responses and Antigens

The adaptive immune response involves both T and B cells.
T cells recognize antigens with the help of MHC complexes.
T cells with self-antigens are eliminated in the thymus.
Phagocytosis is performed primarily by neutrophils and macrophages in innate immunity.
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) generally suppress other immune cells.

Immunological Processes

The three phases of immunoediting are elimination, equilibrium, and escape.
The equilibrium phase is characterized by a balance between tumor cells and immune cells.
Escape phase in tumor cells is characterized by the tumor's capacity to suppress the immune response.
The equilibrium phase involves a dynamic balance between tumor cells and immune cells, potentially lasting up to 20 years or more, and is linked to Darwinian micro-evolution.
The elimination phase, the critical stage of progression, is where the immune system actively targets tumor cells to suppress their development.
The TME (tumor microenvironment) supports the growth and spread of tumors by influencing tumor development.
Cancer cells utilize the Warburg Effect, preferring glycolysis (breakdown of glucose) to produce energy over oxidative phosphorylation.

Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) create a collagen barrier to limit immune cell infiltration.
Tumors evade immune system recognition by suppressing immune cells.
The acidity of the TME (tumor microenvironment), driven by glycolysis products, impairs immune cell function and survival.
Tumors upregulate GLUT1 to enhance glucose uptake, promoting their growth and survival in the TME.
The hypoxia in the TME also harms immune cells.
TGF-β signaling and exosomes play a role in fibroblast conversion into cancer-associated fibroblasts.

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Description

Explore the historical development of vaccination and the foundational concepts of immunology, including germ theory and the role of the immune system in cancer treatment. This quiz covers variolation, the contributions of key scientists, and critiques of immunotherapeutic theories.