IMMUNOLOGY Single channel
Chair (Coordinator) and Rapporteur: GABRIELLA PALMIERI
Learning outcomes
To understand the molecular and cellular basis of the immune response. To understand the fundamental mechanisms responsible for protection and for tissue damage, and to comprehend their specific role in the resistance against pathogens, the immune surveillance against tumors, and immune-mediated diseases. To be able to describe the main events and mechanisms that define the development of protective and pathological immune responses. To understand how research activity contributes to the evolution of knowledge in the immunology field.
Prerequisites
Competence in microbiology, biochemistry, genetics and cell biology, physiology, and anatomy is required.
Programme
General objectives of the course:
To understand the molecular and cellular basis of the immune response. To understand the fundamental mechanisms responsible for protection and for tissue damage, and to comprehend their specific role in the resistance against pathogens, the immune surveillance against tumors, and immune-mediated diseases. To be capable of describing the main events and mechanisms that define the development of protective and pathological immune responses.
Specific Objectives of the course:
Knowledge and understanding: passing the exam guarantees the understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of the immune response and the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms responsible for protection and for tissue damage.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: passing the exam guarantees the ability to comprehend the specific role of the mechanisms responsible for protection and for tissue damage in the resistance against pathogens, the immune surveillance against tumors, and immune-mediated diseases.
Autonomy of judgment: passing the exam implies the ability to critically judge and describe the main events and mechanisms that define the development of protective and pathological immune responses.
Communication skills: passing the exam implies the ability to effectively use the communication tools of publications and scientific communications.
Learning skills: passing the exam implies the transversal learning capacity common to the logic of scientific investigation in the biomedical field.
Course Subjects:
General aspects of the immune system: cellular and molecular participants to innate and adaptive immune responses.
Cytokines and their receptors.
Innate immunity: cellular and molecular components, cell differentiation, activation, effector functions, and their regulation.
The molecular basis of antigenicity, antigen receptors and the generation of diversity.
The Major Histocompatibility Complex and antigen presentation.
Maturation, activation and effector functions of B and T lymphocytes.
Biology of T cell subsets: helper (Th), cytotoxic (CTL), and regulatory (T reg).
Antibodies: molecular structure, effector functions, Fc receptors, the antigen/antibody reaction.
The complement cascade: activation pathways and regulation.
Natural Killer (NK) cells.
Hematopoiesis, lymphoid organs, leukocyte migration and trafficking.
Mucosal immunology.
Development and regulation of immune responses.
Immune responses against different classes of pathogens: viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, and mechanisms of pathogen evasion.
Principles of vaccination.
Immune responses against tumors and principles of immunotherapy.
Type I hypersensitivity reactions (allergies).
Type II hypersensitivity reactions and elements of immunohematology.
Type III and type IV (delayed-type) hypersensitivity reactions.
Mechanisms of central and peripheral tolerance; autoimmune diseases.
Transplantation immunology.
Primary and acquired immunodeficiencies.
The most common immunological techniques.
Books
1. IMMUNOLOGIA CELLULARE E MOLECOLARE 10° edizione (anche e-book) A.K. Abbas, A.H. Lichtman. Ed. EDRA (2022)
2. Janeway’s IMMUNOBIOLOGIA 9° edizione K. Murphy, P. Travers, M. Walport, Ed. Piccin (2019)
ADDITONAL READING:
Casi Studio di Immunologia Clinica - Un compendio clinico. R. Geha, L. Notarangelo, Ed. Piccin (2019)
Bibliography
Casi Studio di Immunologia Clinica - Un compendio clinico. R. Geha, L. Notarangelo, Ed. Piccin (2019)
Lessons mode
The course will mainly consist of lectures, with some exercises. The lessons aim to deepen the pivotal points of immunology and immunopathology. The exposition of scientific problems, of study techniques in biomedical research contributes to the autonomy of judgment, to the development of communication skills, to develop problem solving skills, and to develop learning skills.
Frequency
Compulsory attendance
Exam mode
Oral examination
Example exam questions
Activation and regulation of T lymphocyte functions
Arguments
- Introduction
- Hemopoiesis
- T cell mechanisms for antigen recognition
- T cell differentiation a
- Antigen-dependent T cell activation
- T cell effector functions and memory
- B cell differentiation and activation
- Antibody response and immunoglobulin structure and functions
- Lymphoid organs and leukocyte traffic
- The complement system
- Phagocytes
- The inflammatory response
- Innate lymphoid cells
- The anti-microbial functions of the immune system
- Tolerance and autoimmunity
- Vaccines
- Type I, II, III, IV hypersensitivity mechanisms
- Transplant immunology
- Tumor immunology
- Acquired immunodeficiencies
Sustainability goals
- Academic year2026/2027
- Degree program to which the course belongsMedicine and Surgery HT
- Lesson code1019010
- Year and semester3rd year - 1st semester
- Activity typeAttività formative caratterizzanti
- Academic areaPatologia generale e molecolare, immunopatologia, fisiopatologia generale, microbiologia e parassitologia
- SSDMED/04
- Mandatory presenceYes
- Languageita
- CFU6 CFU
- Total duration78 hours
- Hours distribution78 classroom hours