Unit IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
- Course
- Medicine and surgery
- Study-unit Code
- GP005810
- Curriculum
- In all curricula
- CFU
- 6
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2021
- Offered
- 2022/23
- Type of study-unit
- Obbligatorio (Required)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa integrata
IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY - MOD. 1
| Code | GP005846 |
|---|---|
| CFU | 4 |
| Teacher | Teresa Zelante |
| Teachers |
|
| Hours |
|
| Learning activities | Caratterizzante |
| Area | Patologia generale e molecolare, immunopatologia, fisiopatologia generale, microbiologia e parassitologia |
| Academic discipline | MED/04 |
| Type of study-unit | Obbligatorio (Required) |
| Language of instruction | Italian |
| Contents | ORGANIZATION OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM: cellular and soluble components. INNATE IMMUNITY: pattern recognition receptors for pathogens; effector mechanisms and inflammatory response; Natural Killer cells; the complement system. IMMUNOGLOBULINS: molecular structure; genetic basis of structure; functions. B LYMPHOCYTE DEVELOPMENT: stages of B cell maturation; molecular mechanisms involved in the generation of diversity of the B cell repertoire. ANTIGEN RECOGNITION BY T LYMPHOCYTES: the major histocompatibility complex (MHC); antigen processing and presentation to T lymphocytes; T cell antigen receptor (TCR) and genetic basis of its structure. MATURATION OF T LYMPHOCYTES: phases of T cell maturation; generation of diversity of the T cell repertoire; thymic selection processes. ACTIVATION OF B AND T LYMPHOCYTES: effector mechanisms of humoral and cell-mediated immunity. FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OF THE IMMUNE RESPONSES: induction of immune responses in vivo; pathways and mechanisms of lymphocyte recirculation and homing. IMMUNOLOGIC TOLERANCE: mechanisms of central and peripheral tolerance. |
| Reference texts | - Abbas A.K., Lichtman A.H., Pillai S. Cellular and Molecular Immunology. 9th Edition, 2018, Edra Editor. - Murphy K., Weaver C. Janeway’ s Immunobiology. 9th Edition, 2019, Piccin Editor. |
| Educational objectives | At the end of the course, the student should know and understand the physiologic (cellular and molecular) mechanisms that regulate the functions of the immune system and mediate the immune responses. Specifically, the student should know the cells, the tissues, the organs and the molecular structures of the immune system and understand their integrated function in the defense against pathogens. |
| Prerequisites | In order to be able to understand the contents of the Immunology and Immunopathology Course, the student must possess knowledge of Cellular and Molecular Biology (indispensable), Biochemistry (indispensable), Genetics (important), Anatomy (useful), Histology (useful). |
| Teaching methods | Frontal lessons on all the topics of the Course, with presentation and discussion of slides. |
| Other information | Schedule of the lessons and exams: The schedule of the lessons and exams is posted on the Course website http://www.med.unipg.it/ccl/ Consulting hours and location: By appointment through e-mail. Teaching room, Building B, 4th Floor, Medicine and Surgery Course, Polo Scientifico Didattico di Terni, Via C. Mazzieri N. 3, Terni. For students with disabilities see the website http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa |
| Learning verification modality | The final exam is in an oral form and covers both the teaching modules. It will consist of an interview lasting about 30 minutes, with three questions on the entire program of the Course of Immunology and Immunopathology. The exam will be 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 speaking with an autonomous language. |
| Extended program | ORGANIZATION OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM: Properties of the innate and adaptive immunity. Cellular and soluble components of the immune system. Anatomy and functions of lymphoid organs and tissues. Hematopoiesis. INNATE IMMUNITY: Cellular and soluble components of the innate immune system. Pattern recognition receptors of the innate immune system. Role of innate immunity in local and systemic defense against microbes: effector functions of the innate immune responses. Inflammatory response. Role of innate immunity in stimulating adaptive immune responses. NATURAL KILLER (NK) CELLS: Phenotypic and functional features of NK cells. Recognition of infected or tumor cells by NK cells: activating and inhibitory receptors of NK cells. Effector functions of NK cells: direct and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity. THE COMPLEMENT SYSTEM: Components of the complement system. Pathways of complement activation: the classical pathway, the alternative pathway and the lectin pathway. Receptors for complement proteins. Regulation of complement activation. Biological functions of complement proteins. CYTOKINES: General properties of cytokines. Cytokine receptors and signal transduction. Functional classification of cytokines. Cytokines that mediate and regulate innate immunity. Cytokines that mediate and regulate specific immunity. Cytokines that stimulate hematopoiesis. Chemokines: classification, receptors and biological activity. IMMUNOGLOBULINS (Ig): Molecular structure of Ig. Structural features of the variable regions of Ig and their relationship to antigen binding. Structural features of the constant regions of Ig and their relationship to effector functions. Characteristics of antigen-antibody interactions. Genetic basis of Ig structure: organization of Ig germ-line genes; rearrangement and expression of Ig genes. Molecular mechanisms involved in the generation of antibody diversity. Ig classes and their biological activities. B LYMPHOCYTE DEVELOPMENT: Stages of B cell maturation. Molecular mechanisms involved in the generation of diversity of the B cell repertoire. Mechanisms controlling the autoreactivity of immature B lymphocytes. Acquisition of functional competence. Follicular B cells, B-1 cells and marginal zone B cells. THE MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX (MHC): Role of MHC in the immune responses. Organization of class I and class II MHC genes. Structure, function, cellular distribution and regulation of class I and class II MHC molecule expression. Characteristics of peptide-MHC interactions. Structural basis of peptide binding to MHC molecules. ANTIGEN PROCESSING AND PRESENTATION TO T LYMPHOCYTES: Characteristics of antigens recognized by T lymphocytes. The MHC-restricted antigen recognition by T lymphocytes. Role of accessory cells in T cell activation. Processing of extracellular and endogenous protein antigens. Association of processed peptides with MHC molecules and presentation to T lymphocytes. Physiological significance of MHC-associated antigen presentation. T CELL ANTIGEN RECEPTOR (TCR): Structural and biochemical characteristics of the aß TCR. Role of the aß TCR in the recognition of peptide-MHC complexes. Genetic basis of the aß TCR structure: organization of germ-line genes; rearrangement and expression of genes. Molecular mechanisms involved in the generation of the aß TCR diversity. Proteins of T lymphocyte receptor complex (TCR complex). T cell accessory molecules. MATURATION OF T LYMPHOCYTES Role of the thymus in T cell maturation. Stages of T lymphocyte maturation. Generation of diversity of the T cell repertoire. Thymic selection processes for MHC-restricted and self-tolerant aß T cells. Development and functions of ¿d T lymphocytes. Development and functions of NK-T cells. ACTIVATION OF T LYMPHOCYTES AND EFFECTOR MECHANISMS OF CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNITY: Phases of T cell responses. T cell clonal expansion. Molecular and biochemical events in the signal transduction by the TCR complex. Differentiation of CD4+ T cells into different subsets of helper T (TH) cells, TH1, TH2 and TH17. Role of cytokines in the differentiation and functions of the different T subsets. T cell-mediated activation of macrophages and development of inflammatory response. Differentiation of CD8+ T cells into cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Effector functions of CTL: mechanisms and mediators involved in CTL-mediated cytotoxicity. B LYMPHOCYTE ACTIVATION AND ANTIBODY PRODUCTION: Characteristics of the B cell antigen receptor (BCR). Components of the BCR complex. Antigen recognition by the BCR and phases of B cell activation. Molecular and biochemical events in the signal transduction by BCR complex. Mechanisms of T cell-dependent antiboby response to protein antigens. B lymphocytes as antigen presenting cells. B cell activation by TH lymphocytes: role of cytokines and costimulatory molecules. Reactions in the germinal centers: heavy chain class (isotype) switching, affinity maturation and memory B cell generation. Antibody responses to T cell-independent antigens. Regulation of antibody response. FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY OF THE IMMUNE RESPONSES: In vivo induction of immune responses. Immune responses in the lymph nodes and spleen. Pathways and mechanisms of lymphocyte recirculation and homing. IMMUNE DEFENCE AGAINST INFECTIONS: Characteristics of immune responses to microorganisms. Evasion of immune mechanisms by microorganisms. Strategies for vaccine development. IMMUNOLOGIC TOLERANCE: Features of self-tolerance. Mechanisms of central and peripheral tolerance of B and T lymphocytes. |
IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY - MOD. 2
| Code | GP005847 |
|---|---|
| CFU | 2 |
| Teacher | Katia Fettucciari |
| Teachers |
|
| Hours |
|
| Learning activities | Caratterizzante |
| Area | Patologia generale e molecolare, immunopatologia, fisiopatologia generale, microbiologia e parassitologia |
| Academic discipline | MED/04 |
| Type of study-unit | Obbligatorio (Required) |
| Language of instruction | Italian |
| Contents | THE IMMUNE SYSTEM AND PATHOLOGY: alterations of the immune response in the hypersensitivity reactions and autoimmunity; examples of human pathologies. TRANSPLANTATION IMMUNOLOGY. IMMUNITY TO TUMORS. |
| Reference texts | - Abbas A.K., Lichtman A.H., Pillai S. Cellular and Molecular Immunology. 9th Edition, 2018, Edra Editor. - Murphy K., Weaver C. Janeway’ s Immunobiology. 9th Edition, 2019, Piccin Editor. |
| Educational objectives | At the end of the course, the student should know and understand the physiopathologic mechanisms (cellular and molecular) underlying the alterations of the immune response in the different types of hypersensitivity diseases and autoimmunity. Specifically, the student should be able to associate the effector immune mechanisms to the various pathologic situations. The student should also know and understand the role of immune system in the allograft rejection and in the control of tumors. |
| Prerequisites | In order to be able to understand the contents of the Immunology and Immunopathology Course, the student must possess knowledge of Cellular and Molecular Biology (indispensable), Biochemistry (indispensable), Genetics (important), Anatomy (useful), Histology (useful). |
| Teaching methods | Frontal lessons on all the topics of the Course, with presentation and discussion of slides. |
| Other information | Schedule of the lessons and exams: The schedule of the lessons and exams is posted on the Course website http://www.med.unipg.it/ccl/. Consulting hours and location: By appointment through e-mail. Teaching room, Building B, 4th Floor, Medicine and Surgery Course, Polo Scientifico Didattico di Terni, Via C. Mazzieri N. 3, Terni. For students with disabilities see the website http://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa |
| Learning verification modality | The final exam is in an oral form and covers both the teaching modules. It will consist of an interview lasting about 30 minutes, with three questions on the entire program of the Course of Immunology and Immunopathology. The exam will be 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 speaking with an autonomous language. |
| Extended program | DISEASES CAUSED BY ALTERATIONS OF IMMUNE RESPONSES (HYPERSENSITIVITY): Immunological basis of hypersensitivity reactions. Sensitization and effector phases of hypersensitivity reactions. Mechanisms of cell and tissue damage. TYPE I (IMMEDIATE) HYPERSENSITIVITY: Features of immediate hypersensitivity reactions. Production of IgE. Binding of IgE to mast cells and basophils. Role of mast cells, basophils and eosinophils in immediate hypersensitivity. Genetic susceptibility to immediate hypersensitivity. Allergic diseases in humans. TYPE II HYPERSENSITIVITY: Mechanisms of damage caused by cytotoxic antibodies. Examples of human pathologies: transfusion reactions, haemolytic disease of the newborn, drug-induced haemolytic anemia. TYPE III HYPERSENSITIVITY: Mechanisms of damage caused by immune complexes. Factors that determinate the pathogenicity of immune complexes. Examples of type III hypersensitivity: localized reactions (reaction of Arthus) and systemic reactions (serum sickness). TYPE IV HYPERSENSITIVITY: Mechanisms of tissue damage caused by TH1 cells and CTL. Examples of human pathologies: contact dermatitis, tuberculin reaction and granulomatous hypersensitivity. DISEASES CAUSED BY ALTERATIONS OF IMMUNE RESPONSES – AUTOIMMUNITY: Molecular and cellular mechanisms of autoimmunity pathogenesis. Loss of self-tolerance mechanisms. Lymphocyte alterations involved in the autoimmunity. Genetic susceptibility to autoimmunity. Environmental basis of autoimmunity. Role of infections in the development of autoimmunity. Organ-specific and systemic autoimmune diseases: mechanisms of immunologic tissue injury and examples of human autoimmune diseases. TRANSPLANTATION IMMUNOLOGY: Immune response to allogeneic transplantation. Molecular and cellular basis of alloantigen recognition. Activation of alloreactive T cells. Immunologic basis and effector mechanisms of allograft rejection. Prevention and treatment of allograft rejection. Bone marrow transplantion. Graft-versus-host-disease. IMMUNITY TO TUMORS: Tumor antigens. Tumor cell antigenicity. Effector mechanisms in antitumor immunity: innate and specific responses. Evasion of immune responses by tumors. Immunotherapy for tumors. Stimulation of active host immune responses to tumors: antitumor vaccines. Use of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Passive immunotherapy for tumors with T cells and antibodies. |