03766 - Immunology (A-K a)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student: - knows the basics of the immune system as a fundamental defense tool of the organism and its alterations as a cause of disease; - will be able to apply knowledge of the basic mechanisms of the immune system and its alterations to specific pathologies.

Course contents

Introduction to the Immune System (IS): functions and characteristics of the IS; nomenclature and definitions; innate and specific immunity; cells of the immune system: lymphocytes, macrophages, granulocytes, dendritic cells, etc. Primary and secondary response.
IS organs and tissues: generative and secondary organs (bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, spleen, IS associated with mucous membranes). Lymphatic system and lymphocyte recirculation.
Innate immunity: physical barriers, preformed proteins, professional phagocytes, NK cells, NKT, gamma-delta lymphocytes. Mechanisms of phagocytosis and killing of pathogens. Role and receptors of NK cells (NKC, LRC). Antigen recognition mechanisms in I. innate (TLR, RIG, NLR and inflammasome). The memory of Innate Immunity: trained immunity.
Specific immunity: characteristics and functions, antigen receptors of cells of specific immunity (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 helper (CD4+) and cytotoxic (CD8+) T lymphocytes, development, maturation and activation; structure of the T lymphocyte antigen receptor; functions in the immune response: cell-mediated immunity. Production of cytokines, Th1, Th2 lymphocytes, natural and induced Tregs. Cytotoxic action. Regional immunity: the intestinal mucous membranes. Relationships with the gut microbiota; Th17 lymphocytes. Engineered T lymphocytes: CAR-T.
Cooperation between T, B and APC cells: co-stimulation: role of accessory molecules; T-dependent and T-independent responses; suppression of the T response. Cytokines and cytokine receptors. Th1 and Th2 responses.
Tolerance: recognition and distinction between self and non-self; self-tolerance. Mechanisms of central tolerance 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.
Immunopathology (hypersensitivity and immunodeficiencies), responses to pathogens, vacciniology and transplant immunology: for this part of the programme, see the AK-b module page held by Prof. Miriam Capri.

Readings/Bibliography

Abbas, Lichtman, Pillai: Immunologia Cellulare e Molecolare, 2022 (decima edizione), Piccin Libraria.

Dianzani e Puccillo (a cura di): Immunologia e Immunopatologia, Edi-Ermes, 2022

Geha, Notarangelo: Casi Studio in Immunologia, 2019 (settima edizione), Piccin.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons with ppt presentations

Assessment methods

In order to access the exam it is necessary to have attended at least 66% of the lessons.
The exam is written and consists of two different tests to be taken together:
- the first part includes two open-ended questions relating to topics of the programme. Each question can contribute 10 points out of 30 to the final grade. An insufficient answer to one of the two questions (<6 out of 10) will result in the candidate being rejected and consequently in the non-evaluation of the second part of the exam.
- the second part consists of 40 questions with "true or false" answers on program topics. Each correct answer is worth 3/10 points, each wrong answer involves a penalty of -1/10 points. There are 12 points available for this second part.
Further information on the assessment of the exam may be requested during the first lesson of the course.

Teaching tools

PPT files available at https://virtuale.unibo.it portal.

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Salvioli