Immune Response to a Virus

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key immune cells, cytokines, antibody-mediated responses, and sequential steps involved in the immune response to a virus based on the lecture notes.

Viral Entry

The process by which a virus invades the body through a break in the skin or another portal of entry and enters a host cell to replicate.

Mononuclear Phagocytes

Immune cells consisting of monocytes and macrophages that capture, process, and present antigens to lymphocytes to trigger an immune response.

Macrophages

Mononuclear phagocytes that recognize antigens on a virus surface, digest the virus, and display antigens on their surface to present them to lymphocytes.

T Helper Cells

Lymphocytes that bind to macrophages, stimulate cytokine production ($\text{IL-1}$, $\text{TNF}$, $\text{IL-2}$, $\gamma\text{-IFN}$), and instruct B cells to produce antibodies.

IL-2

A specific cytokine that instructs other T helper cells and T cytotoxic cells to proliferate.

T Cytotoxic Cells

Effector immune cells that proliferate in response to $\text{IL-2}$ and destroy virus-infected cells.

Natural Killer (NK) Cells

Lymphocytes comprising $<10\%$ of lymphocytes that target and destroy virus-infected cells and tumor cells.

B Cells

Lymphocytes making up $10\text{-}20\%$ of lymphocytes, produced in bone marrow, that differentiate into plasma cells to produce antibodies.

T Cells

Lymphocytes making up $70\text{-}80\%$ of lymphocytes that provide immunity against viruses, tumors, and fungi.

Dendritic Cells

Cells that capture antigens at external interfaces like the skin and lungs, transport them to T cells, and activate the immune response.

Cytokines

Soluble factors secreted by white blood cells and other cells that act as messengers to regulate cell activity.

Cytokine Types

Soluble factors including Interleukins, Interferons, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Colony-Stimulating Factors, and Erythropoietin.

Cytokine Roles

Functions regulated by cytokines, including hematopoiesis, immune function, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and sepsis.

Plasma Cells

Differentiated B cells that produce and secrete antibodies.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by plasma cells that bind to viruses and mark them for destruction by macrophages.

Primary Immune Response

The initial antibody-mediated response that occurs $4\text{-}8\text{ days}$ after antigen exposure.

Immunoglobulin Classes

The five classes of antibodies: IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, and IgE.

Memory B and T Cells

Persisting immune cells that remain in the body after an infection to respond quickly to future infections.