Unit 1456: Comprehensive Immunology

1. Introduction to Immunology

• Overview of the Immune System
  • Definition and importance
  • Major components: organs, cells, molecules
• Basic Immunological Concepts
  • Immunity: innate vs adaptive
  • Antigens and epitopes
  • Antibodies: structure and function
  • Immune response: primary vs secondary

2. Innate Immunity

• Physical and Chemical Barriers
  • Skin and mucous membranes
  • Secretions: enzymes, acids
• Cellular Components
  • Phagocytic cells: macrophages, neutrophils
  • Natural Killer (NK) cells
• The Complement System
  • Pathways: classical, alternative, lectin
  • Functions: opsonization, lysis, inflammation
• Role as First Line of Defense
  • Rapid, nonspecific response
  • Recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs)

3. Adaptive Immunity

• Overview and Characteristics
  • Specificity and memory
  • Humoral vs cell-mediated branches
• T Lymphocytes
  • Types: Helper (CD4+), Cytotoxic (CD8+), Regulatory
  • T cell receptors (TCRs)
• B Lymphocytes
  • Differentiation and antibody production
• Memory Cells
  • Formation and role in long-term immunity

4. Antigen Presentation and Recognition

• Antigen-Presenting Cells (APCs)
  • Types: dendritic cells, macrophages, B cells
  • Processing and presentation pathways (MHC I & II)
• T Cell Activation
  • Signal 1: antigen recognition
  • Signal 2: co-stimulatory signals
• Mechanisms of Antigen Recognition
  • MHC restriction
  • Clonal selection and expansion

5. Humoral Immunity

• B Cell Activation
  • T-dependent and T-independent activation
• Antibody Structure and Classes
  • IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, IgD
• Antibody Functions
  • Neutralization
  • Opsonization
  • Complement activation
• Production of Specific Antibodies
  • Plasma cells and antibody secretion

6. Cell-Mediated Immunity

• Role of T Cells
  • Cytotoxic killing of infected cells
  • Helper T cell cytokine secretion
• Mechanisms of Killing
  • Perforin/granzyme pathway
  • Fas-FasL interaction
• Importance Against
  • Intracellular pathogens
  • Tumor surveillance

7. Immunological Memory

• Concept and Development
  • Primary vs secondary immune responses
• Memory B and T Cells
• Vaccination
  • Principles and types of vaccines
  • Induction of long-lasting immunity

8. Immunodeficiencies and Autoimmunity

• Immunodeficiency Disorders
  • Primary (genetic) vs secondary (acquired)
  • Examples: SCID, AIDS
• Autoimmune Diseases
  • Mechanisms of self-tolerance breakdown
  • Examples: rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes
• Clinical implications and diagnosis

9. Immunotherapy

• Overview of Immunotherapeutic Strategies
• Monoclonal Antibodies
  • Mechanism and clinical uses
• Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • PD-1, CTLA-4 blockade
• CAR-T Cell Therapy
  • Engineering and applications
• Immunotherapy in Cancer, Autoimmune Disorders, Allergies