Immunology

 The immune system is divided into innate and adaptive immunity, each with specific components and functions.

Targets: Understand the roles of innate and adaptive immunity, including key cell

سندرس سويا الجهاز المناعي من منظورين: تشريحي ووظيفي "فسيولوجي"

المحاضرات تفاعلية وممتعة 

سنستخدم فيديوهات حصرية لعرض او مراجعة المعلومات

المراجع المستخدمة:

Microbiology Principles and Explorations

Review of Medical Microbiology and Immunology By Warren Levinson – 14th edition

Gray's Anatomy

المقاطع المرئية:

Boards and Beyond

Osmosis

Youtube

 The Immune System

Immunity can be classified as Innate Immunity or Adaptive Immunity.

Innate (Nonspecific) Immunity

1. Chemical Barriers: These include substances like stomach acid and enzymes in saliva that destroy pathogens.
2. Cellular Defenses:
   • Defensive Cells: Various cells like neutrophils and macrophages that protect the body.
   • Phagocytes: Cells that engulf and digest pathogens.
   • The Process of Phagocytosis: The steps by which phagocytes ingest and break down pathogens.
   • Extracellular Killing: Mechanisms by which cells kill pathogens outside of the cell.
   • The Lymphatic System: A network that helps in the removal of toxins and waste from the body.
3. Inflammation:
   • Characteristics of Inflammation: Redness, heat, swelling, and pain.
   • The Acute Inflammatory Process: The immediate response to injury or infection.
   • Repair and Regeneration: The healing process following inflammation.
   • Chronic Inflammation: Long-term inflammation that can lead to tissue damage.
4. Fever: An increase in body temperature that helps to fight off infections.
5. Molecular Defenses:
   • Interferon: Proteins that interfere with viral replication.
   • Complement: A system of proteins that enhances the ability of antibodies to clear pathogens.

Adaptive (Specific) Immunity

1. Active and Passive Immunity:
   • Active Immunity: The body’s own response to pathogens.
   • Passive Immunity: Immunity gained through external sources, like maternal antibodies.
2. Antigens and Antibodies:
   • Antigens: Substances that provoke an immune response.
   • Antibodies: Proteins produced by B cells that specifically target antigens.
3. Cells and Tissues of the Immune System: Various cells like T cells and B cells, and tissues like the spleen and lymph nodes.
4. Dual Nature of the Immune System: The collaboration between humoral (antibody-mediated) and cell-mediated immunity.
5. General Properties of Immune Responses: Specificity, memory, and self/non-self recognition.
6. Properties of Antibodies (Immunoglobulins): Different classes of antibodies and their functions.
7. Primary and Secondary Responses: The body’s initial and subsequent responses to an antigen.
8. Kinds of Antigen-Antibody Reactions: Various ways antibodies interact with antigens.
9. Monoclonal Antibodies: Laboratory-produced antibodies used for treatment and research.
10. The Cell-Mediated Immune Reaction: The role of T cells in directly attacking infected cells.
11. Acute Phase Response: The body’s immediate response to infection.
12. How Killer Cells Kill: Mechanisms by which cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells destroy infected cells.
13. The Role of Activated Macrophages: Enhanced macrophage activity in response to infection.
14. Superantigens: Antigens that cause an excessive immune response.

Immunization

1. Active Immunization: Vaccination to stimulate the body’s own immune response.
2. Hazards of Vaccines: Potential side effects and risks associated with vaccines.
3. Passive Immunization: Providing pre-formed antibodies for immediate protection.
4. Future of Immunization: Advances and future directions in vaccine development.

Factors that Modify Immune Responses

Various factors like age, genetics, and environmental influences that can affect how the immune system responds.

Pathogens

1. Bacteria: Single-celled organisms that can cause infections.
2. Viruses: Infectious agents that require a host cell to replicate.
3. Fungi: Organisms that can cause infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
4. Protozoa and Helminths: Parasitic organisms that can cause disease.