White Blood Cells: Granules and Functions

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of Th1 cells?

To regulate B-cell activity

To suppress the immune response to self-antigens

To produce antibodies against extracellular pathogens

To activate cytotoxic lymphocytes and macrophages (correct)

Which cytokines are produced by Th2 cells?

IL-9, IL-17, and IL-22

IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-β

IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, and IL-13 (correct)

TNF-β, IL-10, and IL-13

What enzyme is found in the granules of mast cells, but not in those of basophils?

Arylsulfatase

Eosinophil-derived neurotoxin

Heparin

Alkaline phosphatase (correct)

What is the primary function of T regulatory cells?

To suppress the immune response to self-antigens Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of dendritic cells?

Presenting antigen to helper T lymphocytes Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of Natural Killer cells in terms of size?

Larger than T cells and B cells Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following cells does not contain peroxidase?

Macrophage Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of tissue macrophages?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of Th9 cells?

To play a role at epithelial surfaces by warding off fungi and extracellular bacteria Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following enzymes is found in the primary granules of eosinophils?

Acid phosphatase Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of cytotoxicity in Natural Killer cells?

Activating and inhibitory signals Signup and view all the answers

What is the process by which leukocytes and other cells engulf cells and particulate matter?

Phagocytosis Signup and view all the answers

Where are Class II genes situated?

In the D region Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of Class I and Class II MHC molecules?

To bind peptides within cells and transport them to the plasma membrane Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of IL-1a cytokine?

Produced by phagocytic cells, epithelial cells from the skin, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of cytokines where a single cytokine can have different effects?

Pleiotropism Signup and view all the answers

What is the application of HLA typing in?

Organ transplantation Signup and view all the answers

What is the action of cytokines in the immune system?

Orchestrating both innate immunity and the adaptive response to infection Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of inhibitory receptors?

To deliver inhibitory signals Signup and view all the answers

Which laboratory technique is used to identify lymphocytes?

Density gradient centrifugation with Ficoll-Hypaque Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of an immunogen?

A substance capable of causing an adaptive response Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Major Histocompatibility Complex in the immune response?

To influence the immune response through genetics Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of a hapten?

It is a non-immunogenic material that, when combined with a carrier, creates new antigenic determinants Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the ability of an immunogen to stimulate a host response?

Immunogenicity Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of IL-1β in the body?

To inhibit the growth of many bacteria and fungi Signup and view all the answers

Which type of interferons are produced in response to viral infection?

Type I interferons Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of TGF-β?

To regulate the growth, differentiation, and apoptosis of cells Signup and view all the answers

Which cytokine is an antagonist of IL-1β?

IL-1RA Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)?

To stimulate the production of neutrophils Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of ELISpot assays in clinical settings?

To measure the production of cytokines Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Th1 and Th2 Cells

Th1 cells primarily participate in cell-mediated immunity, promoting responses against intracellular pathogens.
Th2 cells produce cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, which are important for humoral immunity and defense against extracellular parasites.

Mast Cells and Granules

Mast cells contain the enzyme tryptase in their granules, whereas basophils do not possess this enzyme.

T Regulatory Cells

T regulatory cells primarily function to maintain immune tolerance by suppressing immune responses and preventing autoimmune reactions.

Dendritic Cells

Dendritic cells are crucial antigen-presenting cells that initiate and regulate the adaptive immune response by presenting antigens to T cells.

Natural Killer (NK) Cells

Natural Killer cells are larger lymphocytes that play a key role in the innate immune response against virally infected cells and tumors.

Peroxidase Containing Cells

Basophils do not contain peroxidase, distinguishing them from other granulocytes like eosinophils and neutrophils which do.

Tissue Macrophages

The main function of tissue macrophages is to phagocytize pathogens, dead cells, and debris, playing a critical role in tissue homeostasis and immune responses.

Th9 Cells

Th9 cells are primarily involved in anti-parasitic immunity and in promoting inflammation through their production of IL-9.

Eosinophils

Eosinophils contain the enzyme major basic protein (MBP) in their primary granules, which is vital for combating parasitic infections.

Cytotoxicity Mechanism of NK Cells

NK cells induce cytotoxicity through mechanisms such as the release of cytotoxic granules containing perforin and granzymes, leading to the apoptosis of target cells.

Phagocytosis

The process by which leukocytes engulf cells and particulate matter is termed phagocytosis, essential for clearing pathogens and debris.

Class II Genes

Class II genes are located on chromosome 6 within the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC).

Role of MHC Molecules

Class I and Class II MHC molecules are pivotal in presenting antigens to T cells, facilitating the recognition of infected or abnormal cells.

IL-1α Cytokine Function

IL-1α acts as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, involved in the activation of innate immune responses and inflammation.

Cytokine Characteristics

Cytokines exhibit pleiotropy, where a single cytokine can induce various effects depending on the target cell and context.

HLA Typing Application

HLA typing is primarily utilized in organ transplantation and determining compatibility between donors and recipients.

Cytokine Action in Immunity

Cytokines mediate communication between immune cells, regulating immune responses and influencing the development and activity of immune cells.

Inhibitory Receptors Function

Inhibitory receptors help prevent overactivation of immune responses, maintaining self-tolerance and limiting tissue damage.

Identification of Lymphocytes

Flow cytometry is a laboratory technique commonly used to identify and analyze lymphocytes based on surface markers.

Definition of Immunogen

An immunogen is defined as any substance that can induce an immune response, typically through the activation of lymphocytes.

Major Histocompatibility Complex Role

The Major Histocompatibility Complex plays a crucial role in the immune response by presenting peptide fragments of antigens to T cells.

Hapten Characteristics

Haptens are small molecules that can elicit an immune response only when attached to a larger carrier protein.

Immunogenic Stimulation

The ability of an immunogen to stimulate a host response is referred to as immunogenicity.

Function of IL-1β

IL-1β serves as a key mediator of inflammation, promoting fever and inflammatory responses in the body.

Interferons in Viral Infections

Type I interferons (such as IFN-α and IFN-β) are produced in response to viral infections, playing a vital role in antiviral defense.

Role of TGF-β

TGF-β (Transforming Growth Factor-beta) primarily functions in immunosuppression and the regulation of immune responses, particularly in tissue repair.

IL-1β Antagonist

The antagonist of IL-1β is IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), which inhibits the effects of IL-1 signaling.

Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) Function

G-CSF primarily stimulates the production and release of neutrophils from the bone marrow, crucial for responding to infections.

ELISpot Assays Purpose

ELISpot assays are used in clinical settings to measure individual cell responses, especially in assessing immune responses to vaccines or infections.

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Description

Learn about the primary and specific granules of eosinophils, basophils, and mast cells, and their functions in the immune system. Understand the different proteins and enzymes present in these granules and their roles in hypersensitivity reactions.