Immunology 350/351 - Immunological Memory and Vaccination

These flashcards cover key concepts related to immunological memory and vaccination from the lecture.

Immunological memory

The capacity of the immune system to remember and respond more effectively to previously encountered antigens.

Variolation

A historical method of immunization involving the inoculation of individuals with material from a smallpox sore to induce immunity.

Live attenuated vaccines

Vaccines containing live but weakened forms of pathogens that induce strong and lasting immunity.

Memory B cells

Long-lived cells that retain information about past infections and can produce antibodies rapidly upon re-exposure to the same antigen.

T cell memory subsets

Different types of memory T cells categorized based on their location and function, including central memory and tissue-resident memory T cells.

Germinal center reaction

A process in which B cells proliferate and undergo somatic hypermutation to improve antibody affinity.

Adjuvants

Substances added to vaccines to enhance the immune response to the provided antigen.

Primary immune response

The initial response of the immune system to a specific antigen, typically characterized by lower affinity antibodies.

Secondary immune response

The enhanced response of the immune system upon subsequent exposure to the same antigen, featuring higher affinity antibodies.

Original antigenic sin

The phenomenon where the first exposure to an antigen shapes the immune response to subsequent exposures.