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 PCB 4233C  Immunology
Schedule of Activities
Date
Session Topics
Readings & Assignments
August 25
Module 1
Course Overview 

Overview of the Immune Systems 

  • Historical Perspective 
  • Innate (Nonspecific) Immunity 
  • Acquired (Specific) Immunity 
Readings: Kuby Chapter 1 

Assignments: Matching/Definitions/Terms  

Activities: 

 

 
This session will address the following  learning outcomes: 
  • Define the Immune system and the early theories of Immunity.
  • Describe the branches of the immune system.
  • Distinguish between a secondary response and a primary response.
  • Compare and contrast innate and acquired immunity.

  • Date
    Session Topics
    Readings & Assignments
    Module 2
    Aug. 27
     
    Experimental Systems 
    • Experimental Animal Models 
    • Cell-Culture systems 
    • Recombinant DNA Technology 
    Readings: Kuby Chapter 2 

    Assignments: Matching/Definition/Terms  

    Activities: 

     
    This session will address the following learning outcomes: 
    • Describe at least two experimental systems that immunologists use routinely to study the immune system. 
    • List at least two recombinant DNA techniques that have revolutionized the study of the immune system in the past 10 years. 

    Date
    Session Topics
    Readings & Assignments
    Module 3
    Sept. 1
    Cells and Organs of the Immune System 
    • Hematopoiesis 
    • Immune-System Cells 
    • Organs of the Immune system 
    Readings: Kuby Chapter 3, Lab Workbook Chapter 1 

    Assignments: Matching/Definitions/Terms  

    Activities: Chapter 1, pp7-10; Chapter 5, pp 31-33 Lymphocyte Isolation, Blood Smear 

     
    This session will address the following learning outcomes: 
    • Identify a primary and secondary lymphoid organs and describe their functions in the immune response.
    • Identify what cell types compose the stroma and describe the two important functions of the thymic stromal cells.
    • Describe the processes of antigenic commitment and clonal selection, where do they occur and how do they contribute to the specificity and memory of the immune system.

    Date
    Session Topics
    Readings & Assignments
    Module 4
    Sept. 3
    Antigens 
    • Immunogenicity versus Antigenicity 
    • Factors that influence Immunogenicity 
    • Epitopes 
    • Haptens and the Study of antigenicity  Mitogens 
    Readings: Kuby Chapter 4 , Lab Workbook Chapter 13 

    Assignments: Matching/Definitions/Terms  

    Activities:  Chapter 13, pp 75-85 Precipitation Reactions 

     
    This session will address the following learning outcomes: 
    • Identify the molecular properties of antigens and their contribution to immune activation. 
    • List the contribution made by the biological system to immunogenicity; the role it plays in determining whether a molecule can bind to a B or T cell's antigen-binding receptor to induce an immune response. 
    • Define the differences in the way T and B lymphocytes recognize antigens. 
    • Describe how antigens are recognized by each branch of the immune system. 

     Date
    Session Topics
    Readings & Assignments
    Module 5
    Sept. 8-10
    Immunoglobulins: Structure and Function 
    • Basic Structure of Immunoglobulins 
    • Immunoglobulin Sequencing Studies 
    • Immunoglobulin Fine Structure 
    • B-Cel Receptor 
    • Antigenic determinants on Immunoglobulins 
    • Immunoglobulin Classes 
    • The Immunoglobulin superfamily 
    • Monoclonal Antibodies 
    Readings: Kuby Chapter 5, Lab Workbook Chapter 13 and 14 

    Assignments: Matching/Definitions/ Terms 

    Activities:  Chapter 14, pp 87-92 Immunoelectrophoresis 

     
    This session will address the following learning outcomes: 
    • Discuss how the primary, secondary, and tertiary structure of immunoglobulins contribute to both their specificity and their effector functions. 
    • Describe the process for identifying the serum-protein fraction containing antibodies as defined by Tiselius and Kabat. 
    • Define the role of myeloma in immunoglobulin sequencing studies. 
    • Explain the basic structure of an antibody molecule. 
    • List the constant region in the an antibody molecule list the immunoglobulin molecule series. 

    Date
     Session Topics
    Readings & Assignments 
    Module 6
    Sept. 15-17

    Sept. 17- Quiz 1 

     Antigen-Antibody Interactions 
    • Strength of Antigen-antibody Interactions 
    • Cross-Reactivity 
    • Agglutination Reactions 
    • Radioimmunoassay 
    • Western Blotting 
    • Immunofluorescence 
    • Immunoelectron Microscopy 
     
    Readings: Kuby Chapter 6, Lab Workbook Chapter 11, 12, 15 

    Assignments: Matching/Definitions/Terms  

    Activities: Chapter 11, pp 65-72; Chapter 15, pp 93-96 Agglutination Reaction, Passive Agglutination, Quantitative Precipitin Assay, Mr Campbell's Kidney 

     
    This session will address the following learning outcomes: 
    • Describe the nature of the antigen-antibody interaction. 
    • Explain Cross-Reactivity of unrelated antigens. 
    • Discuss various immunologic assays that measure antigen-antibody interaction. 

     Date
    Session Topics
    Readings & Assignments
    Module 7
    Sept. 22-24
    Organization and Expression of  Immunoglobulin Genes 
    • Genetic Model Compatible with Ig 
    • Structure Multigene Organization of Ig Genes 
    • Variable-Region Gene Rearrangements 
    • Generation of Antibody Diversity 
    • Class Switching among Constant-Region Genes 
    • Expression of Ig Genes 
    • Regulation of Ig-Gene Transcription 
    Readings: Kuby Chapter 7, Lab Workbook Chapter 15 

    Assignments: Matching/Definitions/Terms  

    Activities: Chapter 14, pp 87-92 

     
    This session will address the following learning outcomes: 
    • Describe the detailed organization of the immunoglobulin genes. 
    • Discuss the process of Ig-gene rearrangement. 
    • Explain the mechanisms that generate antibody diversity. 
    • Define the properties and process for class switching. 
    • Describe the role of differential RNA processing in the immunoglobulin genes. 

    Date
    Session Topics
    Readings & Assignments
    Module 8
    Sept. 29-
    Oct. 1
    B-Cell Maturation, Activation, and Differentiation 
    • B-Cell Maturation 
    • B-Cell Activation and Proliferation 
    • In Vivo Sites for Induction of Humoral Response 
    • B-Cell Differentiation 
    • Regulation of B-Cell Development 
    Readings: Kuby Chapter 8 , Lab Workbook Chapter 5 

    Assignments: Matching/Definitions/Terms 

    Activities: Handout 
    Identification of B-cells 

     
    This session will address the following learning outcomes: 
    • Define the sequential stages in B-cell development. 
    • Explain the humoral response process that occurs with antigen induced activation and differentiation of mature B cells. 
    • List the consequences of immune responses by self-antigen properties. 

    Date
    Session Topics
    Readings & Assignments
    Module 9
    Oct.  6-8
    Oct 6
    Exam 1
    Oct. 8
    Quiz 2
    Major Histocompatibility 
    • General Organization and Inheritance of the MHC 
    • MHC Molecules and Genes 
    • Detailed Genomic Map of MHC Genes 
    • Cellular Distribution of MHC Molecules 
    • Regulation of MHC Expression 
    • MHC and Immune Responsiveness 
    Readings: Kuby Chapter 9, Lab Workbook Chapter 24 

    Assignments: Matching/Definitions/Terms 

    Activities:  Chapter 24, pp147-148, Mixed Lymphocyte Response, Paternity Testing 

     
    This session will address the following learning outcomes: 
    • Describe the primary function of Major Histocompatibility Complex. 
    • Differentiate between MHC Class I and Class II and Class III molecules. 
    • Explain various mapping techniques. 
    • Discuss the interaction between MHC molecules and peptides. 

    Date
    Session Topics
    Readings & Assignments
    Module 10
    Oct.  13-15
    Antigen Processing and Presentation 
    • Self-MHC Restriction of T Cells 
    • Role of Antigen-Presenting Cells 
    • Evidence for Two Processing and Presentation 
    • Endogenous Antigens: The Cytosolic Pathway 
    • Exogenous Antigens: The Endocytic Pathway 
    • Clinical Applications 
    Readings: Chapter 10 

    Assignments: Matching/Definitions/Terms 

    Activities:  TBA 

     
    This session will address the following learning outcomes: 
    • Describe the Self-MHC Restriction of T Cells. 
    • Discuss the role of antigen-presenting cells. 
    • Explain antigen presentation. 

    Date
    Session Topics
    Readings & Assignments
    Module 11
    Oct. 20-22
    T-Cell Receptor 
    • Early Studies of the T-Cell Receptor 
    • Structure of T-Cell Receptors 
    • Organization and Rearrangement of TCR Genes 
    • T-Cell Receptor Complex: TCR-CD3 
    • T-Cell Accessory Membrane Molecules 
    • Ternary TCR-Peptide-MHC Complex 
    Readings: Kuby Chapter 11, Lab Workbook Chapter 6 

    Assignments: Matching/Definitions/Terms  

    Activities: Chapter 6, pp 33-36;T-Cells 

     
    This session will address the following learning outcomes: 
    • Understand the function and structure of T-Cell Receptors 
    • Describe the interaction of T-Cell Receptors and Membrane Molecules 
    • Explain the alloreactivity of T Cells 

    Date
    Session Topics
    Readings & Assignments
    Module 12
    Oct. 27-29
    Oct. 27-
    Quiz 3
    T-Cell Maturation, Activation, and Differentiation 
    • T-Cell Maturation 
    • TH-Cell Activation 
    • T-Cell Differentiation 
    • Peripheral gd T Cells 
    Readings: Kuby Chapter 12, Lab Workbook Chapter 23 

    Assignments: Matching/Definitions/Terms  

    Activities:  Chapter 23, pp 139-146, Lymphocyte Proliferation Assay 

     
    This session will address the following learning outcomes: 
    • Discuss the process of T-Cell Maturation, TH -Cell Activation, and Differentiation 
    • Explain the significance of T-Cell differentiation in the process of activation 
    • Describe the distribution and function of gd T Cells 

    Date
    Session Topics
    Readings & Assignments
    Module 13
    Nov. 3-5
    Nov. 3-
    Exam 2
    Cytokines 
    • Properties of Cytokines 
    • Cytokine Receptors 
    • Cytokine Antagonists 
    • Cytokine Secretion by TH1 and TH2 Subsets 
    • Cytokine-Related Diseases 
    • Therapeutic Uses of Cytokines and Their Receptors 
    Readings: Kuby Chapter 13, Lab Workbook Chapter 2 

    Assignments: Matching/Definitions/Terms 

    Activities: chapter 2; pp 13-18, Macrophage Assays and Cytokine release 

     
    This session will address the following learning outcomes: 
    • Explain the properties, structure, and function of Cytokines. 
    • Describe the structure, and subfamilies of Cytokine receptors. 
    • Define the differences in cytokine-secretion patterns and their role immune function modality. 
    • Discuss the therapeutic uses of cytokines or their receptors. 

    Date
    Session Topics
    Readings & Assignments
    Module 14
    Nov.  10-12
    The Complement System 
    • The Complement Components 
    • Complement Activation 
    • Regulation of the Complement System 
    • Biological Consequences of Complement Activation 
    • Complement Deficiencies 
    Readings: Kuby Chapter 14, Lab Workbook Chapter 3 

    Assignments: None 

    Activities: Chapter 3, pp 19-22,Bactercidal Killing 

     
    This session will address the following learning outcomes: 
    • Compare and contrast the classical pathway and the alternative pathway of complement activation 
    • Describe the regulation of the complement system 
    • Understand the effector functions of various complement components 
    • Discuss the consequences of hereditary deficiencies in some components 

    Date
    Session Topics
    Readings & Assignments
    Module 15 Nov.  17-19
    Nov. 19-
    Quiz 4
     
    Leukocyte Migration and Inflammation 
    • Cell-Adhesion Molecules 
    • Neutrophil Extravasation 
    • Lymphocyte Extravasation 
    • Mediators of Inflammation 
    • The Inflammatory Process 
    • Anti-Inflammatory Agents 
    Readings: Kuby Chapter 15 

    Assignments: Matching/Definitions/Terms  

    Activities: POPS 

     
    This session will address the following learning outcomes: 
    • Describe the molecules and processes that play a role in leukocyte migration 
    • Identify and discuss the molecules that mediate inflammation 
    • Discuss the physiologic changes that accompany inflammatory responses 

    Date
    Session Topics
    Readings & Assignments
    Module 16
    Nov. 24
    Cell-Mediated and Humoral Effector Responses 
    • Effector Responses in the Cell-Mediated Branch 
    • Effector Responses in the Humoral Branch 
    • Regulation of the Immune Effector Response 
    Readings: Kuby Chapter 16, Lab Workbook Chapter 25 

    Assignments: Matching/Definitions/Terms  

    Activities:  Chapter 25, pp 149-152, Antibody-Mediated Cytolysis 

     
    This session will address the following learning outcomes: 
    • Describe specific and nonspecific cytotoxic effector mechanisms 
    • Explain the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response mediated by effector TH cells 
    • Compare and contrast the characteristics of the primary and secondary humoral response 
    • Explain the experimental assays of cytotoxic and humoral responses 
    • Discuss the regulation of immune effector responses 

    Date
    Session Topics
    Readings & Assignments
    Module 17 Dec. 1-3
    Dec. 3-
    Quiz 5
    Hypersensitive Reactions 
    • Cell and Coombs Classification 
    • IgE-Mediated (Type I)  Hypersensitivity 
    • Antibody-Mediated Cytotoxic (Type II) Hypersensitivity 
    • Immune Complex-Mediated (Type III) Hypersensitivity 
    • TDTH-Mediated (Type IV) Hypersensitivity 
    Readings: Kuby Chapter 17 

    Assignments: Matching/Definitions/Terms  

    Activities: POPS 

     
    This session will address the following learning outcomes: 
    • Discuss the mechanisms and consequences of the four primary types of hypersentive reactions. 
    • Identify the Cell and Coombs classification of hypersensitive reactions. 
    • Explain the principal mediators involved in the four primary types of hypersensitivity. 

    Date
    Session Topics
    Readings & Assignments
    Dec. 8
    Final Exam  

      

     


     
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