Summary: Immunesystem In A Nutshell

Read the summary and the most important questions on immunesystem in a nutshell

• 1 1 Recognition of Pathogens

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• What is the primary role of Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) in the immune system?

  Key functions of PRRs include:
  

  • Identifying common patterns on pathogens (PAMPs)
  • Detecting patterns on damaged host cells (DAMPs)
  • Initiating an immune response upon binding

• Where are Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) typically located?

  PRRs can be found in the following locations:
  

  • Surface of innate immune cells (macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils)
  • Within the cytoplasm of those immune cells

• 2 2 Immediate Response

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• What role do physical barriers play in the immune system?

  Physical barriers serve as the initial defense by:
  

  • Preventing pathogens through the skin and mucous membranes
  • Producing secretions like mucus and saliva that contain antimicrobial proteins

• What happens during inflammation in response to pathogens?

  Inflammation triggers several actions by cells, including:
  

  1. Recruiting immune cells such as neutrophils and monocytes
  2. Increasing blood flow through blood vessel dilation
  3. Inducing fever to create a less favorable environment for pathogens

• 3 3 Phagocytosis

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• What are phagocytes and their function in the immune response?

  Cells such as macrophages and neutrophils play a crucial role:
  

  • Engulf and digest pathogens via phagocytosis
  • Use receptors to bind to pathogens
  • Internalize pathogens in phagosomes

• How do phagocytes destroy pathogens?

  Pathogens undergo destruction through:
  

  1. Enzymes that break them down
  2. Toxic substances produced by phagocytes

• What are the functions of the complement system?

  The complement system performs several critical tasks:
  

  1. Opsonization: marking pathogens for phagocyte destruction
  2. Cell lysis: forming membrane attack complex to destroy membranes
  3. Inflammation: enhancing response by attracting immune cells

• 4 5 Natural Killer (NK) Cells

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• What do NK cells recognize to detect and kill infected or cancerous cells?

  The detection and killing process relies on changes in the expression of surface molecules on target cells.
  

  • Recognize changes in
  • Expression of
  • Surface molecules

• What is the primary action of NK cells when they detect target cells?

  Upon detection of target cells, NK cells release cytotoxic granules that trigger apoptosis (programmed cell death).
  

  • Release cytotoxic
  • Trigger apoptosis
  • Induce programmed cell death

• 6 2 Activation of T Cells

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• What happens when an APC presents an antigen via MHC CLASS II to a CD4+ T cell?

  A CD4+ T cell with a T-cell receptor recognizes and binds to the complex. This leads to the following actions:
  

  • Secretion of cytokines
  • Stimulation of activation and proliferation of other immune cells
  • Activation of B cells for antibody production
  • Enhancement of CD8+ T cell cytotoxic activity