03766 - Immunology

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the Immunology course, students will have acquired a solid understanding of the immune system as a fundamental defense mechanism of the human body, including its potential applications in immunotherapy, as well as of immune system dysfunctions as causes of disease. They will be able to apply their knowledge of the basic mechanisms of the immune system and their alterations to the understanding of specific pathological conditions.

Course contents

This course is integrated with the courses in Molecular Pathology (Prof. Giorgia Gri) and Medical Genetics (Prof. Emanuele Panza).

The Immunology course consists of two modules:

• Module I – Prof. Giorgia Gri
• Module II – Prof. Miriam Capri

 Module I syllabus:

• Introduction to the Immune System (IS): functions and characteristics of the IS; nomenclature and definitions; innate and adaptive immunity; cells of the immune system: lymphocytes, macrophages, granulocytes, dendritic cells, etc. Primary and secondary response.
• Organs and Tissues of the IS: generative and secondary organs (bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, spleen, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue). Lymphatic system and lymphocyte recirculation.
• Innate Immunity: physical barriers, pre-formed proteins, professional phagocytes, NK, NKT, and gamma-delta lymphocytes. Mechanisms of phagocytosis and pathogen killing. Role and receptors of NK cells (NKC, LRC). Antigen recognition mechanisms in innate immunity (TLR, RIG, NLR and inflammasome). Innate Immunity memory: trained immunity.
• Specific/Adaptive Immunity: characteristics and functions, antigen receptors of adaptive immunity cells (membrane antibodies and TCR), antigen recognition; generation of the receptor repertoire, somatic recombination, clonal distribution. MHC molecules, antigen processing and presentation; proteasome and immunoproteasome. Dendritic cells.
• B Lymphocytes: characteristics of B lymphocytes, development, maturation and activation; structure of the B lymphocyte antigen receptor; functions in the immune response: secreted Antibodies: structure, functions, classification. Monoclonal antibodies, uses in diagnosis and therapy.
• T Lymphocytes: characteristics of T helper (CD4+) and cytotoxic (CD8+) lymphocytes, development, maturation and activation; structure of the T lymphocyte antigen receptor; functions in the immune response: cell-mediated immunity. Cytokine production, Th1, Th2, natural and induced Treg lymphocytes. Suppression and cytotoxic activity of CD8+ T cells.Regional Immunity: intestinal mucosae. Relationship with the gut microbiota; Th17 lymphocytes. Engineered T lymphocytes: CAR-T cells for immunotherapy.
  
• Cooperation between T, B and APC cells: co-stimulation: role of accessory molecules; T-dependent and T-independent responses; Cytokines and Cytokine Receptors.
• The Complement System: its regulation and possible deficiencies.

 Module II syllabus:

• Tolerance: recognition and distinction between self and non-self; self-tolerance. Mechanisms of central and peripheral tolerance (anergy, deletion, suppression).
• Effector phases of the immune response: Activation of M1 and M2 macrophages; delayed-type hypersensitivity; activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes.
• Immunity against pathogens: extra- and intracellular bacteria, viruses and parasites. Overview of immune system mechanisms for eliminating pathogens and evasion mechanisms by the pathogens themselves. Types of vaccines and mandatory vaccinations: vaccine strategies and risk assessment.
• Immunopathology: alterations of the immune response; classification of immunopathologies; type I hypersensitivity: allergies; type II, III and IV hypersensitivity; breakdown of tolerance and autoimmune diseases distinguished by types II-III-IV.
• Congenital Immunodeficiencies related to innate and adaptive immunity. Acquired immunodeficiencies: HIV and AIDS.
• Transplantation Immunology: classification of transplants: auto-, allo- and xenografts; biological basis of transplant rejection; types of rejection; GVHD; strategies to avoid rejection: HLA typing, immunosuppressive drugs.
  
• How the IS ages: immunosenescence. Consequences of the decreased immune response on susceptibility to diseases associated with aging. Inflammation as an immunological driver of aging (inflammaging).

Readings/Bibliography

• Abbas, Lichtman, Pillai, Cellular and Molecular Immunology, 2022 (10th edition), Ed. Edra.
• Amadori and Zanovello, Lezioni di immunologia e immunopatologia – 2020, Piccin Editore
• Dianzani, Umberto et al., Immunologia e Immunopatologia, 2022, Ed. Edi-Ermes.
• Geha, Notarangelo, Case Studies in Immunology, 2019 (7th edition), Ed. Piccin.
• Janeway, Immunobiologia, 2019 (9th edition), Ed. Piccin-Nuova Libraria.
• Murphy, Kenneth; Weaver, Casey, Janeway's Immunobiology (in English), 2022 (10th edition), Ed. W.W. Norton & Company.

Teaching methods

Teaching is delivered through face-to-face lectures supported by PowerPoint presentations and selected short videos. The instructors will also use the Wooclap platform to promote active student participation and interaction during class.

In the event of emergencies affecting on-campus teaching, lectures may be delivered online via the Microsoft Teams platform.

Assessment methods

To be eligible to take the examination, students must attend at least 60 % of the scheduled lectures. Students who do not meet this attendance requirement will be required to complete additional supervised study activities assigned and monitored by the course instructor.

The use of AI is not allowed during exams. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

The examination is a written assessment (use of the EOL platform) consisting of two parts, both of which must be completed:

- the first part consists of two free-answer questions on themes of the Course. Every question can contribute to the final mark with 10 points out of 30. Insufficient answer (<6 out of 10) to one of these questions leads to test failure with no further evaluation of the second part.

- the second part consists of 40 quiz of the type "true-or-false" on themes of the Course. Every correct answer contributes with 3/10 points, every wrong answer leads to a penalty of -1/10. The total points available for this parts are 12.

Further information on exam evaluation can be required during the first lesson of the Course.

WARNING:

The final grade for the Integrated Course will be calculated as a weighted average of Immunology grade (5 CFU/credits) and the grade obtained in the Molecular Pathology with Medical Genetics (6 CFU/credits), according to the following formula:

Final grade for the Integrated Course =

(Molecular Pathology with Medical Genetics grade × 6 + Immunology grade × 5) / 11

 

In case of a National or local emergency:

the exams are given online with the Microsoft Teams platform in oral form until new provisions. Students must register as usual in Almaesami, and they will receive an e-mail with the link and timetable of the exam session.

The aim of the oral exam is to evaluate the knowledge of the student on the course's topics and the capability to perform logical connections.

Grading procedure:

- knowledge of a very limited number of topics and limited analytical capacity → 18-19 out of 30;

- knowledge of a limited number of topics and basic analytical capacity → 20-24 out of 30;

- knowledge of a consistent number of topics and good analytical capacity → 25-29 out of 30;

- knowledge of all topics and very good analytical capacity → 30-30L out of 30.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

The primary teaching resource consists of lecture slides presenting the key concepts and essential content that students are expected to master. The lecture slides will be made available through the VIRTUALE online learning platform.

In addition, students are required to watch 38 educational videos/short films, accompanied by self-assessment quizzes (available in both English and Italian), covering the fundamental concepts emphasized during the face-to-face lectures. These learning materials will be permanently available on VIRTUALE.

Students are also required to access and/or download the supporting teaching materials from the platform. Completion of these activities will be monitored by the course instructor.

Office hours

See the website of Miriam Capri

See the website of Giorgia Gri