We study the immune system as if it is comprised of two separate parts: innate and adaptive.
a. Define each of these: innate immunity and adaptive immunity. What is similar about these two components, and what is different?
b. How does each use binding interactions to identify threats? How is this binding similar or different between these two systems?
c. Give several examples of interactions between the innate and adaptive immune systems.
2. Describe the process of opsonization and explain two ways in which it occurs. How does this help the immune system clear an infection?
3. Define the complement system. Identify the three ways in which it can be activated. What are the three outcomes and how does each help in clearing an infection?
4. A cell is infected with a virus.
a. How does it detect dsRNA, and why is this a signal of a viral infection?
b. How does the cell respond?
c. How do neighboring cells receive this alert, and how do they respond? How is their production of iAVP, converted to AVP if they are infected, an example of post-translational regulation? What is the tradeoff (cost/benefit) of a cell using post-translational vs. transcriptional regulation?
5. A crucial part of the adaptive immune system is the ability to distinguish between "self" and "non-self".
a. Define "self" and "non-self".
b. How are populations of B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes produced that should only identify "non-self"? This process is a negative selection; how do T lymphocytes also undergo a positive selection, and for what ability?
6. A B lymphocyte encounters an antigen! What steps are involved that lead to the production of antibodies? Include, and define, proliferation, class switching, affinity maturation, and plasma cells.
7. How does B cell binding to a T-dependent vs. a T-independent antigen differ? What is special about T-independent antigens that allow this different response?
8. How is variability in B cell binding important, and how is this accomplished? How does this help protect us from infections?
9. Describe the role of helper T lymphocytes and give examples of their interactions with both B lymphocytes and macrophages.
10. Describe the role of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and how they interact with nucleated cells of the body. If a cytotoxic T cell binds to antigen presented in an MHC class I molecule of a nucleated cell, what does that tell it about that cell, and how does it respond?
11. Compare and contrast MHC class I and class II molecules and the type of antigen (endogenous vs. exogenous) each presents. Name three types of antigen presenting cells (APCs). Briefly describe their role, and what type of T lymphocyte each interacts with.
12. What roles do eosinophils and natural killer cells play in protecting us from parasites (both) and viral infections (natural killer cells)?
13. Another crucial component of the adaptive immune system is memory.
a. What is the difference between a primary and a secondary response to exposure to an antigen?
b. How do memory cells help protect us from a second exposure to an antigen?
c. How do vaccines benefit us, i.e., what does a vaccine do for our immune system?
14. There is currently increasing resistance in the United States to receiving vaccines amongst some populations, including examples of communities here in the Puget Sound region with some of the lowest vaccination rates in the country. Generate a list of commonly held concerns amongst some that convince them to not get themselves (or their children) vaccinated. I.e., what are concerns about vaccines that you might encounter from patients as a healthcare professional?