Medicine and Surgery "B" - Roma Azienda Policlinico Umberto I

Activity type

Patologia generale e molecolare, immunopatologia, fisiopatologia generale, microbiologia e parassitologia

SSD

MED/04

Year

N/D

Semester

N/D

CFU

6

Hours distribution

72 classroom hours

Lecturers

STEFANIA MARDENTE
ROSSELLA PAOLINI
MARIA HELENA STABILE

Activity type

Formazione clinica interdisciplinare e medicina basata sulle evidenze

SSD

MED/46

Year

N/D

Semester

N/D

CFU

2

Hours distribution

24 classroom hours

Lecturers

ANGELA GISMONDI

This course is aimed at understanding the molecular and cellular basis of the immune response and the fundamental mechanisms responsible for its protective functions as well as the scientific-experimental methodologies used for the study of these mechanisms. The student will comprehend the specific role of immune cells in the resistance against pathogens, the immune surveillance against tumors, and immune-mediated diseases. In addition, the student will understand the use of therapeutic approaches aimed at modulating the immune response in different pathological conditions. A further purpose is represented by the acquisition of the fundamental and common elements of medical terminology to communicate with doctors and others health workers and the ability to deepen the study independently.

Knowledge of biological chemistry, physiology and microbiology. Anatomo-histological notions of human systems and of their physiological mechanisms.

General immunology.
General aspects of the immune system: natural and adaptive immune responses, the molecular basis of antigenicity.
The antigen and the molecules involved in antigen recognition and binding. The T cell receptor (TCR) and the B cell receptor (BCR): structural features.
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC). General characteristics of genes and genomic organization of the major histocompatibility complex; structure of MHC molecules. Structural basis of binding of peptides to MHC molecules. The antigen-presenting cells to T lymphocytes. Cell biology of antigen processing and physiological significance of antigen presentation in association to MHC.
The T cell receptor (TCR). Structural features. Interaction TCR/MHC-peptide antigen. Protein receptor complex of T lymphocytes.
Antibodies. Molecular structure. Chemical and structural basis of antigen/antibody binding. Antibody effector functions.
Mechanisms generating the diversity of antigen receptors.
The differentiation and activation of T and B lymphocytes. Signal transduction by the antigen receptor complex of T and B lymphocytes. The functional consequences of signal transduction by the antigen receptor complex in T and B cells.
The role of helper T cells in determining the nature of the immune response. Antibody response.
Effector cell-mediated mechanisms. Cytotoxic cells: cytotoxic T lymphocytes and NK cells, mechanisms of cytolysis.
The complement: genetics and molecular structure of the complementary components; activation mechanisms: classical and alternative pathways; biological functions and evaluation of the complement system; hereditary deficiencies of the components and their natural inhibitors.
Central and peripheral tollerance.
Immunity and Infections: defense mechanisms against infectious agents (viruses, bacteria, protozoa, etc.). Mucosal immunity.
Principles of vaccination and strategies for vaccine development.
Hypersensitivity reactions (types I, I, III and IV).
Tumor immunology.
Autoimmunity: mechanism of pathogenesis; systemic and organ specific diseases.

Immunological methods
The monoclonal antibodies: applications in research and in the clinic.
Laboratory methods for detection of antigens and antibodies: electrophoretic and radio-immunological methods, immunoassays; immunohistochemical techniques; agglutination.

Teaching materials will be shown during class.

Specific topics can be explored in more depth in the following texts:

Abbas A.K., Lichtman A.H., Pillai S. CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY, Ninth Edition, Edra Masson 2018;

Parham P. The Immune System: Second Edition, EdiSES, 2017;

Murphy K. Janeway's IMMUNOBIOLOGY, Ninth Edition, Piccin-Nuova Libreria, 2019.

Module: GENERAL PATHOLOGY
N/D
Module: TECHNICAL SCIENCES OF LABORATORY MEDICINE
N/D

Lectures, in-depth seminars.

Mandatory Attendance

Oral interview.
The oral test consists in verifying the level of achievement of the previously indicated training objectives.

What are the functions of complement?
Describe the structure and functions of the different immunoglobulin classes (IgG, IgM, IgD, IgA, IgE).
What is the definition and classification of type I, II, III, and IV immunopathogenic reactions?
What are the causes and mechanisms of secondary immunodeficiencies, such as those caused by infections?
Explain how immunosuppression can influence the response to malignancies.
Describe the process of thymic selection.
Describe the process of affinity maturation and isotype switching of immunoglobulins.
Describe the characteristics and functions of innate lymphoid cells.

• Introduction: cells and molecules of the immune system (2h)


• Cells and receptors of innate immunity and phagocytosis (5h)


• Antigens and antigen-binding molecules: the MHC system and antigen processing and presentation to T lymphocytes (4h)


• Maturation and activation of T lymphocytes (7h)


• Th lymphocytes, Tregs and CTLs (7h)


• The lymphocytes of innate immunity: NK/ILCs (5h)


• Maturation and activation of B lymphocytes and selective deficiencies (9h)


• Effector functions of antibodies and complement activation (7h)


• Secondary lymphoid organs, mucosal immunity and lymphocyte migration (5h)


• Vaccines, pathogen response and tumor immunity (9h)


• Hypersensitivity reactions (7h)


• Transplants, Tolerance and Autoimmunity (4h)


• Monoclonal antibodies and their applications in oncology (5h)


• Primary and secondary immunodeficiencies (5h)


• Memory of innate immunity; organoids and their applications (7h)


• Review and Self-assessment Test (7h)