0415-02

Final Exam Information

  • The final exam schedule is available on the university website.
  • Only official excuses will allow you to take the exam at a different time.
    • If you have an official excuse, the make-up exam will be scheduled for the following day or two after the original date.
    • If not completed, the course may be marked incomplete, and you will need to finish by the end of the next semester.
  • It is crucial to be available on the specified exam date; no early exams will be permitted.

Research Article Review

  • The research article review is due on Friday this week.
  • Late submissions will not be accepted.
  • Submit your assignment through the open Dropbox, as late submissions affect 10% of your overall score.

Class Evaluation

  • An email regarding the class evaluation should have been received. Completing this evaluation is encouraged.
  • If over 80% of the class completes the evaluation, an additional exclusion will be granted on quizzes missed or low scores.

Quizzes

  • Currently, the class has taken around 21 quizzes, with an expectation of completing 23-24.
  • An evaluation of excluded quizzes will be based on the completion percentage of the class evaluation.

Immune System Overview

  • Two main immune systems: Innate and Adaptive
  • Innate Immune System
    • First Line: Skin and mucous membranes.
    • Second Line: Includes phagocytes, NK cells, the inflammatory response, antimicrobial proteins, and fever.
Inflammatory Response
  • The inflammation is an automatic response to tissue injury, characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain.
  • Benefits of inflammation include:
    1. Prevention of the spread of damaging agents (e.g., bacteria).
    2. Removal of debris and pathogens from the affected area.
    3. Activation of the adaptive immune system.
    4. Cleanup of damaged tissue for rebuilding.
  • Inflammation leads to edema (swelling) and hyperemia (increased blood flow), contributing to redness and heat.
    • Vasodilation and increased vascular permeability enhance the response.
Chemical Signals in Inflammation
  • Mast Cells release histamines, which initiate the inflammatory response.
  • Histamine acts as a signaling molecule that aids in vasodilation and vascular permeability, facilitating immune cell access to the injury site.
  • Other inflammatory mediators include cytokines and prostaglandins.
Phagocyte Mobilization
  • Neutrophils and macrophages arrive at the injury site via:
    1. Margination: Adhering to the blood vessel walls.
    2. Diapedesis: Moving through vessel walls into the interstitial fluid.
    3. Chemotaxis: Following chemical signals released by damaged tissues to reach the site.
  • Phagocytes engulf and digest debris and pathogens.

Antimicrobial Proteins

  • Function to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms.
  • Major types include interferons and complement proteins.
    • Interferons are produced in response to viral infections and aid in viral defense and immune activation.
    • Complement proteins work to enhance inflammation and directly kill pathogens.

Fever in Immune Response

  • Fever is triggered by pyrogens released during infections, raising body temperature.
  • Benefits of fever include:
    1. Inhibiting bacterial and viral growth through sequestering iron and zinc.
    2. Enhancing enzyme activity and metabolic functions at slightly elevated temperatures.
  • Fever serves as a natural defense mechanism.

Adaptive Immune System

  • Highly specific response targeting unique pathogens.
  • Characterized by:
    • Specificity and systemic effects.
    • Memory, allowing for faster response upon re-exposure to an antigen.
  • Divided into:
    • Humoral Immunity: B cells produce antibodies that bind antigens and signal for destruction.
    • Cellular Immunity: T cells directly kill infected cells or orchestrate immune responses.
Antigen Presentation
  • Antigen Presenting Cells (APCs), like dendritic cells, are crucial in activating B and T cells by presenting antigens.
  • Activation requires immunocompetence (ability to respond) and self-tolerance (non-reactivity to self).
Vaccination and Immunity Types
  • Active Immunity: Generated by exposure to an antigen (naturally or through vaccination).
  • Passive Immunity: Obtained from another source (e.g., maternal antibodies).
  • Example of modern vaccines includes mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, which generate an immune response without introducing the actual virus.

Conclusion

  • Important reminders about exam schedules, submission rules, and the significance of understanding the immune systems to prepare for your exams effectively.