Lectures
Laboratory activities
Discussion groups
Readings from scientific journal articles
Guest lectures
Projects (e.g. poster presentation, research paper presentation on a topic of current interest)
1. Components of the immune system and their roles in immunity
-
Microbiota versus pathogenic organisms
-
Barriers against infection
-
Inflammation – a stereotyped response to tissue injury
-
Characteristics of innate and adaptive immunity
-
Cells of the immune system and their origins
-
Adaptive immunity - B and T lymphocyte receptors: immunoglobulins and T cell receptors, respectively.
-
Overview of effector mechanisms of B and T lymphocytes
-
Lymphoid tissues
2. Induction of innate immunity in response to infection
-
Physical barriers and commensal microbiota contribute to resist invasion by pathogens
-
Comparison of immune responses to intracellular versus extracellular pathogens
-
The complement system - its activation and roles during infection
-
Timing of phagocyte activation during infection
-
Cellular and humoral mechanisms of inflammation
3. Effector mechanisms of innate immunity
-
Pattern recognition receptors and microbial associated molecular patterns in host discrimination of “non-self” from “self”
-
Macrophage phagocytic and signaling receptors activation in response to infection
-
Cytokines and acute phase proteins in infection
-
Detection of four main groups of pathogens by toll-like receptors
-
Linkage of resistance and susceptibility to disease to genetic variation in toll-like receptors
-
Innate resistance to viral infections
4. Immunoglobulin structure and generation of B cell diversity
-
Structural basis of antibody diversity
-
Overview of generation of immunoglobulin diversity in B cells prior to antigen encounter
-
Diversification of antibodies after B cell antigen activation
5. T lymphocytes and antigen recognition
-
Diversity of the T-cell receptor (TCR)
-
Antigen processing and presentation
-
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and associated molecules
-
Function of MHC class I and MHC class II molecules in different intracellular compartments
-
Variation in expression of MHC class I and class II molecules in different cell types
6. B lymphocyte development
-
Overview of B cell development in the bone marrow
-
Selection and further development of the B-cell repertoire
7. T lymphocyte development
-
Overview of T cell development in the thymus
-
Positive and negative selection of the T-cell repertoire
8. T cell mediated immunity
-
Naive T cell activation by antigen
-
Characteristics and roles of effector T cells
9. B cell mediated immunity and immunoglobulins
-
Antibody production by B lymphocytes
-
Antibody effector functions
10. Mucosal immunity
-
Mucosal surfaces as barriers and site of gut microbiota
-
Protective mechanisms at gut mucosal surface
-
Induction of a TH2-mediated immune response to helminthic infections
11. Immunological memory in adaptive immunity and vaccination
-
Immunological memory and the secondary immune response
-
Memory B and T cells
-
Immunological memory and viral infections
-
Immunological basis for the protective effect of vaccination
-
Adjuvants and vaccines
-
Current approaches to vaccine production
-
Influenza vaccines
-
Vaccination and public health
12. Co-evolution of innate and adaptive immunity
-
Regulation of NK-cell function
-
Maintenance of tissue integrity by gamma:delta T cells
-
Restriction of alpha:beta T cells by non-polymorphic MHC class I-like molecules
13. Failure of immunity against microorganisms
-
Pathogen evasion and subversion of the immune system by microorganisms
-
Inherited immunodeficiencies
-
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
14. Allergens and allergic responses
-
Hypersensitivity reactions and their effector mechanisms
-
IgE in immunity and allergy
-
IgE-mediated allergic disease
15. Transplantation immunology
-
Triggering of hyposensitivity reactions by allogeneic transplantation
-
Solid organ transplantation
-
Hematopoietic cell transplantation
16. Immunopathology due to adaptive immune responses
-
Immunological basis of auto-immune diseases
-
HLA genotype influences auto-immune disease susceptibility
-
Autoimmune diseases due to auto-antibodies against cell-surface receptors
-
Intravenous immunoglobulin in the management of auto-immune diseases
-
Rheumatoid arthritis immunopathology and treatment strategies
-
Precipitation of auto-immunity by immune response to infectious and noninfectious agents
-
Noninfectious environmental factors affect the development of auto-immune disease
-
Thymus and T cell senescence contribute to auto-immunity
-
Auto-inflammatory diseases of innate immunity
17. Tumor immunology
-
Cancer and mutations related to uncontrolled cell growth
-
Number of accumulated mutations and origin of cancer in single cells
-
Immunological responses to cancers
-
Requirement of tumors for evasion and modulation of the immune response
-
Vaccination as a strategy to prevent some cancers (e.g. cervix, liver)
-
Immunotherapy
18. Immunological tools and techniques explored through laboratory activities will include the following:
-
Uses of antibodies as tools for diagnosis and research
- Cell-based assays
Following completion of this course students will be able to:
-
Describe the components of the immune system and explain their functions during immunity.
-
Describe the role of innate immunity as the first line of defense against infections.
-
Describe the physical, chemical and cellular effectors of innate immunity.
-
Describe immunoglobulin structure and the generation of B cell diversity.
-
Describe the cellular and molecular basis for T lymphocyte recognition of antigens and the role of Major Histocompatibility Complex proteins.
-
Describe the development of B lymphocytes in bone marrow and deletion of auto-reactive clones.
-
Describe T lymphocyte development in the thymus including positive and negative selection of the T cell repertoire.
-
Explain the basis for T cell mediated immunity and production of distinct effector T cell phenotypes in response to particular types of pathogens.
-
Describe B cell mediated immunity, antibody production and functions of immunoglobulin isotypes.
-
Explain the basis of mucosal immunity, including the importance of the gut microbiota.
-
Describe the development of immunological memory during adaptive immunity and explain the rationale for vaccination.
-
Describe the co-evolution of innate and adaptive components of the immune system.
-
Explain mechanisms of immunological failure in response to microorganisms and outline the pathogenesis of immunodeficiency disorders, including human immunodeficiency virus infection.
-
Describe the immunopathology of allergy and allergic disorders.
-
Describe the host responses to alloantigens and the immunological basis for transplant rejection.
-
Describe the immunopathology of auto-immunity, including rheumatoid arthritis.
-
Describe the immune response to tumours and explain mechanisms of tumour evasion in the immune response.
-
Describe the utility of immunological tools and techniques in research.
-
Analyze immunological case studies using clinical examples. (optional content)
Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:
Evaluation | Marks |
Quizzes & presentations | 15-25 |
Laboratory assignments | 15-25 |
Comprehensive examination - midterm | 15-25 |
Comprehensive examination - final | 25-35 |
TOTAL | 100 |
Students should consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. For example, textbooks and materials may include:
Parham, Peter (2014) The Immune System, 4th Edition, Garland Science.
None
None
None