Unit IMMUNOPATHOLOGY

Course
Biology
Study-unit Code
A001034
Curriculum
Biosanitario
Teacher
Katia Fettucciari
Teachers
  • Katia Fettucciari
Hours
  • 42 ore - Katia Fettucciari
CFU
6
Course Regulation
Coorte 2020
Offered
2020/21
Learning activities
Affine/integrativa
Area
Attività formative affini o integrative
Academic discipline
MED/04
Type of study-unit
Obbligatorio (Required)
Type of learning activities
Attività formativa monodisciplinare
Language of instruction
Italian
Contents
The Immune System in Physiology: humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in defense against pathogens. The Immune System in Pathology: alterations of the immune response in autoimmunity, in diseases related to immune responses in the intestine and in the different types of hypersensitivity, examples of human pathologies. Immunology of Transplants. Immunity and Tumors.
Reference texts
Abbas A.K., Lichtman A.H., Pillai S. Cellular and Molecular Immunology. Nine Edition, 2018, Elsevier-Saunders Editors.
Murphy K., Weaver C.. Janeway's Immunobiology. Nine edition, 2019. Piccin Editor.
Educational objectives
At the end of the course the student must demonstrate to know and understand the pathophysiological mechanisms at cellular and molecular level which underlie immune responses and alterations of immune responses in different types of hypersensitivity and autoimmunity. The student must demonstrate therefore to have the ability to associate the effector mechanisms of immunity to different pathological situations. The student must also demonstrate to know and understand the role of the immune system in diseases related to immune responses in the intestine, in rejection of transplants and in the control of tumors.
Prerequisites
In order to be able to understand the contents of the Immunopathology Course, the student must possess knowledge of Cellular and Molecular Biology (indispensable), Biochemistry (indispensable), Genetics (important), Anatomy (useful), Histology (useful).
Teaching methods
Lessons face-to-face in Classrooms on the topics of the course of Immunology with slide show and discussion with students.
Other information
The start and end time of the lessons, the venue for the lessons and the exam schedule are published on the Degree Course website.
Learning verification modality
The final exam is in an oral form. It will consist of an interview lasting about 25-30 minutes, aimed at ascertaining the level of knowledge and the ability to understand the contents of the course, as well as the ability of knowledge synthesis and integration, reached by the student. The oral exam will also verify the student's ability of communication and autonomous exposure.
The oral exam will begin for all students with a question on a topic at the student's choice. In total, the questions will be four and will focus on topics analyzed during the course. One of the questions will focus on molecular structures of the immune system and on their integrated function in mediating the molecular and cellular mechanisms of immune responses. Other three questions will focus on the mechanisms underlying the alterations of the immune responses and on the role of the immune system in the hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, transplant rejection and in the control of cancer.
Extended program
-GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM-
Innate and adaptative immune responses. General characteristics and effector mechanisms of adaptative immune responses. Phases of adaptative immune response.
-IMMUNOGLOBULIN-
Molecular structure of antibodies. Antibody-Antigen interaction. Relationship structure and function in antibodies. Classes and biological activities of Immunoglobulins. Functions of antibodies: antibodies as a membrane receptor for antigen of B Lymphocytes. Isotype-Specific functions of antibodies; Antigen Neutralization; Complement Activation; Opsonization and Phagocytosis, Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity.
-MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX (MHC)-
Genomic organization of MHC genes. Structure, function, cellular distribution and regulation of the expression of MHC class I and MHC class II Molecules. Characteristics of the interaction of peptides with MHC molecules.
-ANTIGEN PROCESSING AND PRESENTATION TO T LYMPHOCYTES-
Characteristics of antigens recognized by T lymphocytes. Antigen-Presenting Cells (APC). Role of APC in the activation of T lymphocytes. Cell biology of antigen processing. Mechanisms of exogenous antigen processing and presentation in association with MHC of class II molecules to CD4+ T lymphocytes. Mechanisms of endogenous antigen processing and presentation in association with MHC of class I molecules to CD8+ T lymphocytes. Physiological significance of antigen presentation in association with the MHC.
-RECEPTOR FOR ANTIGEN OF T LYMPHOCYTE (TCR)-
Structure and function of TCRalpha/beta. Structure and function of: CD3 and Zeta proteins; coreceptors CD4 and CD8; costimulatory and inhibitory receptors: CD28, CTLA-4 and PD1.
-CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNE RESPONSE-
Migration of antigen presenting cells (APC) and of naive T lymphocytes in secondary lymphoid organs. Antigen recognition. Cellular interactions and priming of naive T cells. Signal transduction. Activation and differentiation of T helper lymphocyte subpopulations (Th) (Th1, Th2, Th17): role and functions of cytokines involved. Macrophage activation by Th1 and effector functions of Th1. Eosinophil activation by IgE and effector functions of Th2. Effector functions of Th17. Activation, differentiation and effector functions of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Mechanisms of cytotoxicity.
-HUMORAL IMMUNE RESPONSE-
Antigen recognition and antigen induced activation of B Lymphocytes. Signal transduction. Sequence of events in T cell dependent antibody response. Characteristics, differentiation and functions of Th follicular in activation of B lymphocytes. Interactions and signals between T cells and B cells. Germinal center reactions: i) heavy chain isotype switching and molecular mechanisms that regulate isotype switching; ii) maturation of affinity: somatic mutations, molecular mechanisms that regulate somatic ipermutations, and B cell selection in follicle; iii) differentiation of effector and memory B lymphocytes. Antibody response to thymus-independent antigens.
-IMMUNITY IN THE GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM-
Innate Immunity in the Gastrointestinal Tract. Adaptive Immunity in the Gastrointestinal Tract. Regulation of Immunity in the Gastrointestinal Tract by Regulatory T Cells and Cytokines. Oral Tolerance and Oral Vaccines. The Role of the Commensal Microbiome in Immune Regulation. Diseases Related to Immune Responses in the Gut.
- IMMUNOLOGICAL TOLERANCE -
General characteristics of tolerance to self. Central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms of T and B lymphocytes
-DISEASES CAUSED BY ALTERATIONS OF IMMUNE RESPONSES- AUTOIMMUNITY-
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of autoimmunity. Loss of the mechanisms responsible for self tolerance. Lymphocyte alterations involved in autoimmunity. Genetic factors in autoimmunity. Environmental factors in autoimmunity. Role of infections in autoimmunity. Organ-specific and systemic autoimmune diseases: effector immune mechanisms responsible for cell and tissue damage. Examples of human autoimmune diseases.
-DISEASES CAUSED BY ALTERATIONS OF THE IMMUNE RESPONSES -IPERSENSITIVITY-
Immunological basis of hypersensitivity diseases. Sensitization and triggering phase of hypersensitivity reactions. Mechanisms of cell and tissue damage.
-HYPERSENSITIVITY OF TYPE I-
Sensitization and IgE production. The nature of the allergens. Genetic factors. Environmental factors. Aactivation of lymphocyte Th2. Effector mechanisms of hypersensitivity of type I: the role of IgE, the role and the activation of mast cells, basophils and eosinophils. Mediators derived from mast cells, basophils, eosinophils and their effects. Early and late reactions. Examples of allergic-based diseases in humans.
-IPERSENSITIVITY OF TYPE II-
Mechanisms of damage caused by cytotoxic antibodies. Main manifestations: reaction to transfusion, hemolytic anemia of the newborn, drug anemia.
-IPERSENSITIVITY OF TYPE III -
Mechanisms of damage caused by circulating immune complexes. Factors that determine the pathogenicity of immune complexes. Main manifestations of hypersensitivity of type III: localized reactions (Arthus reaction) and systemic reactions (serum sickness).
-HYPERSENSITIVITY OF TYPE IV-
Sensitization phase: macrophage activation; activation and migration of Th1 lymphocytes; cytokines. Mechanisms of tissue damage caused by TH1 and CTL lymphocytes. Examples of human diseases diseases caused by delayed type hypersensitivity: contact dermatitis, tuberculin-type reaction, granulomatous hypersensitivity.
-ALLOGENEIC TRANSPLANTATION-
Molecular and cellular bases of allogeneic recognition. Immune response to allogeneic transplantation. Effector mechanisms of rejection: Hyperacute rejection; Acute rejection; Chronic rejection. Bone Marrow Transplantation. Graft versus host disease.
-IMMUNITY AND TUMORS-
Tumor antigens and immunogenicity of tumor cells. Effector mechanisms of immunity against tumors: innate and specific immune responses. Mechanisms of evasion of the immune response by tumors. Immunotherapy of tumors. Stimulation of antitumor responses of the host: anticancer vaccines. Passive immunotherapy with T lymphocytes and antibodies.
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