VMED 5172: VETERINARY
IMMUNOLOGY EXAM 1
what are the major functions of the immune system? - Correct Answers --defend host
against foreign substances: microbes (bacteria, etc.), parasites (helminths, etc.), non-
infectious material (sutures, etc.)
-surveillance against abnormal self: infected cells, tumor cells
-don't damage the host
Immune system overview - Correct Answers -the mammalian immune system is divided
into two separate but intertwined systems: innate immune system and adaptive immune
system; these systems influence and depend on each other
features of the innate immune response - Correct Answers --not antigen/pathogen
specific; recognizes molecular features shared by many pathogens
-rapid response even during the very first exposure
-individual cells do not have memory
-cannot be programmed ahead of time to react against a certain substance
-does not require prior exposure
-interacts with and influences adaptive immune system
features of the adaptive immune response - Correct Answers --antigen specific;
recognizes a extremely specific structure
-slower to respond at first exposure
-cells have memory; second and later exposures generate a larger and more rapid
response
-can be pre-emptively primed; vaccination
-many effector mechanisms are actually carried out by innate immune components
granule releasing cells - Correct Answers --mast cells (mononuclear with purple
granules), basophils (polymorphonuclear with purple granules), eosinophils
(polymorphonuclear with pink granules)
-often involved in protection of epithelial surfaces
-do not phagocytize (eat) microorganisms: release contents of granules to exterior upon
activation; granules typically contain toxic and/or vasoactive substances
phagocytes - Correct Answers --phagocytosis: ingestion and destruction of particles
-some can "present" what they have phagocytized to adaptive immune cells
-neutrophils (polymorphonuclear with translucent granules), monocytes/macrophages
(mononuclear with clear to foamy cytoplasm; monocytes become macrophages with
proper activation), dendritic cells (extended arms, not clear in histological slides)
,natural killer cells - Correct Answers --innate-like lymphocytes: NK cells are
lymphocytes; "technically" cells of adaptive immune response, but act like innate
immune system cells
-usually not antigen specific
-kill "impaired" self cells: not expressing correct surface proteins, infected with viruses,
cells targeted by antibodies, tumor cells, etc.
innate immunity secreted substances - Correct Answers --complements
-cytokines
-chemokines
-antimicrobial peptides
complement - Correct Answers -series of proteins that directly and indirectly damage
microbes and activate/recruit immune cells
cytokines - Correct Answers -soluble "messages" between cells; diffuse through
surrounding area to all cells; adaptive immune system also uses cytokines; includes
interferons
chemokines - Correct Answers -subtype of cytokines; recruit cells; creates gradient of
message out from affected tissue which cells can follow to find a source
antimicrobial peptides - Correct Answers -directly kill microbes
adaptive immune system - Correct Answers --cells: lymphocytes including B cells
(humoral immunity) and T cells (cellular immunity)
-soluble factors: antibodies (from B cells), cytokines, chemokines
what does "CD" mean? - Correct Answers --"cluster of differentiation"
-refers to a molecule on the cell surface; number following "CD" tells which molecule it
is (CD4, CD*, etc.)
-not a very descriptive term
lymphocytes - Correct Answers -B cells and T cells
B cells - Correct Answers --small mononuclear cells with minimal cytoplasm
-many B cells eventually become plasma cells
-plasma cells produce antibodies (antibodies are proteins)
T cells - Correct Answers --look identical to B cells
-CD4 T cells: helper T cells; direct the function of all the other cells in the immune
system
-CD8 T cells: cytotoxic T cells; kill impaired self-cells (more specific than NK)
-regulatory T cells: usually CD4, can be CD8; modulate the inflammatory response
,antibodies - Correct Answers --basic structure makes a "Y" shape; monomer
-some antibody types consist of multiple monomers hooked together; dimers (IgA),
pentamers (IgM)
-each monomer has four protein chains: 2 identical heavy, 2 identical light
-the two "arms" of the Y bind target substances; both arms bind the same type of target
-the "tail" of the Y interacts with host cell receptors
-there are 5 basic types of antibodies, each with slightly different functions
-"isotypes" switch in the following order: IgM, IgD, IgG, IgE, IgA
interactions between innate and adaptive immune systems - Correct Answers --innate
immune cells lead to adaptive response: phagocytize items and "present" them to
lymphocytes so an adaptive response can be made; produce cytokines that influence
lymphocyte responses; carry out many of the effector functions of the adaptive immune
response
-adaptive immune cells lead to innate response: produce cytokines that
increase/decrease the function of the innate immune cells (also define the type of
response they will make); produce antibodies which facilitate phagocytosis
antigens - Correct Answers --any substance that can bind to specific lymphocyte
receptors (if it induces an immune response, can be further classified as immunogen)
-subsequent response can be positive (induced immune response) or negative
(tolerance is induced)
characteristics of an immunogenic antigen (good for vaccination) - Correct Answers --
foreign: not self; however, self-antigens can become targets (autoimmune diseases)
-large size: generally >10 kD; <5 kD are poor Ag, exception is haptens
-complexity: most antigens are proteins
-structural stability: receptors recognize very specific structures
-moderate degradability/digestibility: inert molecules and molecules that fall apart are
poor antigens
epitopes - Correct Answers --the term "antigen" is generally used to describe the entire
structure
-each individual lymphocyte receptor only binds a tiny portion of the structure; this
portion is called an epitope
-any given antigen may have many epitopes on it; may be different or all the same
haptens - Correct Answers --small proteins (<5 kD) can become antigenic by binding to
larger proteins (carrier)
-example: penicillin molecular weight is 0.33 kD; penicillin molecules can stick to host
cells and "appear" to be bigger, the combination of penicillin and host cell becomes a
target
how do we use antigen vs antibody in COVID? - Correct Answers --vaccine: spike as
antigens; immunogenicity wanted; activate immune system
, -COVID neutralizing therapy: anti-spike antibodies; need to avoid immunogenicity; block
virus
inflammation characteristics - Correct Answers --pain, redness, heat, swelling in injured
tissue
-"a general term for the local accumulation of fluid, plasma proteins, and white blood
cells that is initiated by physical injury, infection, or a local immune response"
-purpose: to contain, destroy, and remove a foreign substance or infectious agent; to
bring the tissue back to its normal state
innate immune response - Correct Answers --responsible for early host defense
-interacts with and influences cells of the adaptive immune system
-an initial insult triggers first responders "sentinel cells" which create an initial response
followed by vascular and cellular responses and sequelae (+/- adaptive immune
response) and/or resolution
pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) - Correct Answers --two major
attributes:
1. molecules that are highly conserved between many different organisms; generally,
represent an integral part of the microbe essential for survival and often cell wall
components or DNA/RNA
2. NOT found in normal animal tissues
-recognized by "sentinel cells" of the innate immune system: dendritic cells,
macrophages, mast cells
examples of PAMPs - Correct Answers --bacteria: cell membrane components; gram
negative lipopolysaccharide/LPS/endotoxin, gram positive peptidoglycans/lipoteichoic
acids, acid fast bacteria cell wall glycolipids/carbohydrates, CpG DNA (DNA with
multiple C-G repeats; unmethylated)
-fungi: cell wall carbohydrates (mannose, zymosan)
-viruses: ssRNA, dsRNA, CpG DNA
difference between a PAMP and an antigen/epitope - Correct Answers --PAMPs
represent structures that appear on broad classes of pathogens: LPS on Salmonella,
Pseudomonas, etc.
-antigens represent very specific structures: ABO blood group in humans, one
macromolecule can have several different antigens
damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) - Correct Answers --endogenous
equivalent of PAMPs: allows for the generation of an immune response even in the
absence of a microbe
-released by dying or damaged cells: may also be actively secreted by sentinel cells
-recruit and activate other innate immune cells
-promote tissue repair
IMMUNOLOGY EXAM 1
what are the major functions of the immune system? - Correct Answers --defend host
against foreign substances: microbes (bacteria, etc.), parasites (helminths, etc.), non-
infectious material (sutures, etc.)
-surveillance against abnormal self: infected cells, tumor cells
-don't damage the host
Immune system overview - Correct Answers -the mammalian immune system is divided
into two separate but intertwined systems: innate immune system and adaptive immune
system; these systems influence and depend on each other
features of the innate immune response - Correct Answers --not antigen/pathogen
specific; recognizes molecular features shared by many pathogens
-rapid response even during the very first exposure
-individual cells do not have memory
-cannot be programmed ahead of time to react against a certain substance
-does not require prior exposure
-interacts with and influences adaptive immune system
features of the adaptive immune response - Correct Answers --antigen specific;
recognizes a extremely specific structure
-slower to respond at first exposure
-cells have memory; second and later exposures generate a larger and more rapid
response
-can be pre-emptively primed; vaccination
-many effector mechanisms are actually carried out by innate immune components
granule releasing cells - Correct Answers --mast cells (mononuclear with purple
granules), basophils (polymorphonuclear with purple granules), eosinophils
(polymorphonuclear with pink granules)
-often involved in protection of epithelial surfaces
-do not phagocytize (eat) microorganisms: release contents of granules to exterior upon
activation; granules typically contain toxic and/or vasoactive substances
phagocytes - Correct Answers --phagocytosis: ingestion and destruction of particles
-some can "present" what they have phagocytized to adaptive immune cells
-neutrophils (polymorphonuclear with translucent granules), monocytes/macrophages
(mononuclear with clear to foamy cytoplasm; monocytes become macrophages with
proper activation), dendritic cells (extended arms, not clear in histological slides)
,natural killer cells - Correct Answers --innate-like lymphocytes: NK cells are
lymphocytes; "technically" cells of adaptive immune response, but act like innate
immune system cells
-usually not antigen specific
-kill "impaired" self cells: not expressing correct surface proteins, infected with viruses,
cells targeted by antibodies, tumor cells, etc.
innate immunity secreted substances - Correct Answers --complements
-cytokines
-chemokines
-antimicrobial peptides
complement - Correct Answers -series of proteins that directly and indirectly damage
microbes and activate/recruit immune cells
cytokines - Correct Answers -soluble "messages" between cells; diffuse through
surrounding area to all cells; adaptive immune system also uses cytokines; includes
interferons
chemokines - Correct Answers -subtype of cytokines; recruit cells; creates gradient of
message out from affected tissue which cells can follow to find a source
antimicrobial peptides - Correct Answers -directly kill microbes
adaptive immune system - Correct Answers --cells: lymphocytes including B cells
(humoral immunity) and T cells (cellular immunity)
-soluble factors: antibodies (from B cells), cytokines, chemokines
what does "CD" mean? - Correct Answers --"cluster of differentiation"
-refers to a molecule on the cell surface; number following "CD" tells which molecule it
is (CD4, CD*, etc.)
-not a very descriptive term
lymphocytes - Correct Answers -B cells and T cells
B cells - Correct Answers --small mononuclear cells with minimal cytoplasm
-many B cells eventually become plasma cells
-plasma cells produce antibodies (antibodies are proteins)
T cells - Correct Answers --look identical to B cells
-CD4 T cells: helper T cells; direct the function of all the other cells in the immune
system
-CD8 T cells: cytotoxic T cells; kill impaired self-cells (more specific than NK)
-regulatory T cells: usually CD4, can be CD8; modulate the inflammatory response
,antibodies - Correct Answers --basic structure makes a "Y" shape; monomer
-some antibody types consist of multiple monomers hooked together; dimers (IgA),
pentamers (IgM)
-each monomer has four protein chains: 2 identical heavy, 2 identical light
-the two "arms" of the Y bind target substances; both arms bind the same type of target
-the "tail" of the Y interacts with host cell receptors
-there are 5 basic types of antibodies, each with slightly different functions
-"isotypes" switch in the following order: IgM, IgD, IgG, IgE, IgA
interactions between innate and adaptive immune systems - Correct Answers --innate
immune cells lead to adaptive response: phagocytize items and "present" them to
lymphocytes so an adaptive response can be made; produce cytokines that influence
lymphocyte responses; carry out many of the effector functions of the adaptive immune
response
-adaptive immune cells lead to innate response: produce cytokines that
increase/decrease the function of the innate immune cells (also define the type of
response they will make); produce antibodies which facilitate phagocytosis
antigens - Correct Answers --any substance that can bind to specific lymphocyte
receptors (if it induces an immune response, can be further classified as immunogen)
-subsequent response can be positive (induced immune response) or negative
(tolerance is induced)
characteristics of an immunogenic antigen (good for vaccination) - Correct Answers --
foreign: not self; however, self-antigens can become targets (autoimmune diseases)
-large size: generally >10 kD; <5 kD are poor Ag, exception is haptens
-complexity: most antigens are proteins
-structural stability: receptors recognize very specific structures
-moderate degradability/digestibility: inert molecules and molecules that fall apart are
poor antigens
epitopes - Correct Answers --the term "antigen" is generally used to describe the entire
structure
-each individual lymphocyte receptor only binds a tiny portion of the structure; this
portion is called an epitope
-any given antigen may have many epitopes on it; may be different or all the same
haptens - Correct Answers --small proteins (<5 kD) can become antigenic by binding to
larger proteins (carrier)
-example: penicillin molecular weight is 0.33 kD; penicillin molecules can stick to host
cells and "appear" to be bigger, the combination of penicillin and host cell becomes a
target
how do we use antigen vs antibody in COVID? - Correct Answers --vaccine: spike as
antigens; immunogenicity wanted; activate immune system
, -COVID neutralizing therapy: anti-spike antibodies; need to avoid immunogenicity; block
virus
inflammation characteristics - Correct Answers --pain, redness, heat, swelling in injured
tissue
-"a general term for the local accumulation of fluid, plasma proteins, and white blood
cells that is initiated by physical injury, infection, or a local immune response"
-purpose: to contain, destroy, and remove a foreign substance or infectious agent; to
bring the tissue back to its normal state
innate immune response - Correct Answers --responsible for early host defense
-interacts with and influences cells of the adaptive immune system
-an initial insult triggers first responders "sentinel cells" which create an initial response
followed by vascular and cellular responses and sequelae (+/- adaptive immune
response) and/or resolution
pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) - Correct Answers --two major
attributes:
1. molecules that are highly conserved between many different organisms; generally,
represent an integral part of the microbe essential for survival and often cell wall
components or DNA/RNA
2. NOT found in normal animal tissues
-recognized by "sentinel cells" of the innate immune system: dendritic cells,
macrophages, mast cells
examples of PAMPs - Correct Answers --bacteria: cell membrane components; gram
negative lipopolysaccharide/LPS/endotoxin, gram positive peptidoglycans/lipoteichoic
acids, acid fast bacteria cell wall glycolipids/carbohydrates, CpG DNA (DNA with
multiple C-G repeats; unmethylated)
-fungi: cell wall carbohydrates (mannose, zymosan)
-viruses: ssRNA, dsRNA, CpG DNA
difference between a PAMP and an antigen/epitope - Correct Answers --PAMPs
represent structures that appear on broad classes of pathogens: LPS on Salmonella,
Pseudomonas, etc.
-antigens represent very specific structures: ABO blood group in humans, one
macromolecule can have several different antigens
damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) - Correct Answers --endogenous
equivalent of PAMPs: allows for the generation of an immune response even in the
absence of a microbe
-released by dying or damaged cells: may also be actively secreted by sentinel cells
-recruit and activate other innate immune cells
-promote tissue repair
