23276 - General Pathology and Immunology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will have acquired the ability to understand the causes and pathogenic mechanisms underlying human diseases, with particular focus on the etiopathogenesis of major structural and functional alterations, as well as the regulation mechanisms at various levels of biological integration. In addition, students will have knowledge of the fundamental principles and biological bases of immune system function and regulation, including the pathophysiological aspects associated with immune system dysfunctions in major diseases.

Course contents

Lesson 1: Introduction to General Pathology. Definitions and nomenclatures. Environmental pathologies. Chemical pollution. Radiation, electric current and heat pathologies. Pathologies from incorrect nutrition and malnutrition or malnutrition.

Lesson 2: Hereditary genetic diseases. Types of transmission. Monogenic diseases; diseases from chromosomal alterations.

Lesson 3: Cell growth alterations; hypertrophy, hypotrophy; metaplasia, anaplasia. Cell death processes: necrosis and apoptosis. Cellular senescence and autophagy.

Lesson 4: Inflammation, definition, characteristics and symptoms. Molecular mechanisms of inflammation. Cells involved in the inflammatory process. Role in the physiological responses of the organism. Molecules that promote or quench inflammation: prostaglandins, leukotrienes and thromboxanes, cytokines and chemokines.

Lesson 5: Acute and chronic inflammations; ulcers and granulomas. Repair of tissue damage. Wound healing by first and second intention. • Inflammation as a driver of aging (inflammaging).

Lesson 6: The body's immune defenses. Organs and tissues of the immune system. Cells and mechanisms of innate immunity. • Specific immunity: characteristics and functions, cell antigen receptors of specific immunity (membrane antibodies and TCR); generation of the repertoire of receptors, clonal distribution. MHC molecules and their role. • B lymphocytes: characteristics of B lymphocytes; Secreted antibodies: structure and functions. • T lymphocytes: characteristics of helper (CD4 +) and cytotoxic (CD8 +) T lymphocytes. Tolerance: recognition and distinction between self and non-self; self tolerance.

Lesson 7: Effector phases of the immune response. Complement; Activation of M1 and M2 macrophages; delayed-type hypersensitivity; activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes; response to intra and extra cellular bacteria; response to viruses and parasites. Vaccines, vaccination strategies, types of vaccines.

Lesson 8: Immunopathology: alterations in the immune response; type I hypersensitivity: allergies; hypersensitivity of type II, III and IV; disruption of tolerance and autoimmunity; congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies, HIV and AIDS. Transplant immunology: biological basis of transplant rejection; the types of rejection; strategies to avoid rejection: HLA typing, immunosuppressive drugs.

Lesson 9: Tumors. Benign and malignant tumors: carcinomas and sarcomas. Oncogenesis: oncogenic and tumor suppressor genes. Cell cycle modifications. Cellular immortalization. Tumor angiogenesis, neoplastic invasiveness and metastasis.

Lesson 10: Carcinogenesis by chemical or physical agents. Viral carcinogenesis. Genetic and environmental risk factors. Natural history of the tumor. Gradation and staging of tumors. Cancer immunology.

Lesson 11: Outline of endocrine physiopathology. The main hormones, characteristics, production and function. The hormone receptors. The hypothalamus-pituitary-target glands axis. Primary and secondary hypofunctions and hyperfunctions. Thyroid and adrenal gland.

Lesson 12: Metabolic diseases: Obesity and type I and II diabetes mellitus. Hypercholesterolemia and Atherosclerosis: epidemiological aspects and risk factors.

Readings/Bibliography

- M. Parola, Patologia Generale ed elementi di Fisiopatologia, 2012 (II edizione), EdiSES

- Lakhani, Dilly, Finlayson, Gandhi, Carolini, Del Rosso, Le basi della patologia generale, 2020, CEA

- G.M. Pontieri, Elementi di fisiopatologia generale, 2018 (IV edizione), Piccin

- Selected scientific literature

 

Teaching methods

Lectures with ppt presentations.

Multiple choiche quiz on wooclap platform and discussion of results

Assessment methods

Learning is assessed solely through a final examination, which verifies the acquisition of the expected knowledge and skills.

The exam is unified for the Integrated Course in Pathological Sciences and is conducted in written form, using a computer in a computer lab.

The written test can be taken in one of the following three formats:

1. Module A:
   30 questions covering the General Pathology syllabus.
   Duration: 25 minutes.
   Minimum passing score: 18 correct answers out of 30.

2. Module B:
   30 questions divided into:
   – 10 questions in General Pharmacology
   – 10 questions in Clinical Pathology
   – 10 questions in Clinical Biochemistry
   Duration: 25 minutes.
   Minimum passing score: 18 correct answers out of 30.

   Students who choose Option 1 or 2 must complete both modules (A and B) within two consecutive exam sessions. The final grade will be the average of the two scores.

3. Modules A + B (Comprehensive Test):
   A single test of 60 questions covering all subjects (General Pathology, General Pharmacology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Biochemistry).
   Duration: 50 minutes.
   Minimum passing score: 36 correct answers out of 60.

   Students choosing Option 3 will receive a final, comprehensive grade that will be officially recorded.

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 teaching material presented in class will be made available on https://virtuale.unibo.it/ in electronic format.

Office hours

See the website of Aurelia Santoro