BIOL2022 Introduction

Immunology Course Overview

  • Title: Immunology, Infection and Inflammation BIOL 2022

  • Course Coordinator: Jessica Teeling

  • Contact Information:

    • E-Mail: jt8@soton.ac.uk

    • Phone: 02381-206301

    • Office: Room LD80c

  • Historical Context: Wood engraving of Louis Pasteur administering rabies vaccine to Joseph Meister.

Course Introduction

  • Content Overview:

    • Basic immune mechanisms

    • Basic principles of immunology

    • Cells and molecules of the immune system

    • Innate vs Adaptive immune system

    • Immune system's role in different diseases:

      • Viral infections

      • Bacterial infections

      • Parasitic infections

      • Autoimmunity

    • Utilizing the immune system to study/treat diseases

    • Vaccines 1, 2, 3

  • Guest Lecturers: Clinical immunologists.

Learning Outcomes: Basic Principles of Immunology (Part 1)

  • Key Understandings:

    • Identify key cells and mediators of the innate immune system and understand their role in inflammation.

    • Understand the response of innate immune cells to pathogens and cytokines.

    • Define the function of B and T lymphocytes in acquired immune responses.

Learning Outcomes: Immune System in Disease (Part 2)

  • Key Understandings:

    • Mechanisms by which pathogens cause disease (e.g., enterohaemorrhagic E. coli).

    • How HIV-1 infection leads to AIDS, including therapeutic strategies.

    • Immune responses involved in parasitic infections.

    • Consequences of lack of immune tolerance resulting in autoimmune diseases.

Learning Outcomes: Exploiting the Immune System (Part 3)

  • Key Understandings:

    • Principles of vaccination and their history.

    • Types of vaccines and their advantages or limitations.

Lecture Schedule

  • Lectures: Held in Building 100, room 1001 and Building 32, room 1015.

  • Schedule:

    • Tuesday 12:00-13:00

    • Wednesday 9:00-10:00

  • Exams:

    • Mid-Semester MCQ: 20%

    • End of Module Exam: 20% MCQ + 60% diagram questions.

Timetable

  • Week by Week:

    • Jan 28: Introduction and Innate Immunity

    • Feb 4: Adaptive Immunity T cells, parts 1 & 2

    • Feb 18: Adaptive Immunity B cells, parts 1 & 2

    • Feb 25: Bacterial Infection

    • Mar 4: Viral Infection

    • Mar 11: Autoimmunity

    • Mid-semester MCQ exam on Mar 7

    • Apr 29: Return from Easter Break

    • May 14: All Revision

Recommended Texts

  • Key Texts:

    • Janeway’s Immunobiology

    • Kuby Immunology by Kindt, Goldsby, Osborne.

  • Availability: Multiple copies in the short loan collection.

Issues and Support

  • Communication Channels:

    • Notify during sessions (issues with sound, lighting, etc.).

    • Talk/email lecturer directly.

    • Contact Module Coordinator (j.teeling@soton.ac.uk).

    • Student Rep for SSLC meetings.

    • Director of Student Experience.

    • Module Evaluation Questionnaire for feedback.

Immune System Overview

  • Role: Defence against pathogens and infection.

  • Challenges: Complex system evolved to handle numerous threats including tumors.

  • Potential: Vaccines represent advancements in therapy for infections and cancer.

  • Risks: Chronic immune responses can lead to diseases such as autoimmunity and Type-2 Diabetes.

Types of Immunity

Innate Immunity

  • Characteristics: Quick-response, non-specific.

  • Process:

    • Recognition of pathogens.

    • Recruitment of cells to sites of inflammation.

    • Removal of infectious agents.

Adaptive Immunity

  • Characteristics: Long-term, specific responses.

  • Process:

    • Activation of T and B cells.

    • Memory generation for future exposures.

Immune System Cells

  • Types:

    • B cells, T cells, Dendritic cells, Natural Killer cells.

    • Development from hematopoietic progenitors.

Inflammation

  • Definition: Biological response to harmful stimuli, typically pathogens or injury.

  • Signs of Inflammation (according to CELSUS):

    • Rubor (Redness)

    • Calor (Heat)

    • Tumor (Swelling)

    • Dolor (Pain)

    • Functio laesa (Loss of Function)

Summary of Host Defenses

  • Mechanisms:

    • Anatomical barriers: Skin, mucous membranes.

    • Physiological barriers: Temperature, pH, chemical mediators.

    • Inflammatory response: Vascular changes, white cell recruitment.

Cytokines and Interferons

  • Functions:

    • Induce barriers in neighboring cells.

    • Recruit white blood cells for long-lasting immunity.