Medicine and Surgery

The role of helper T cells in determining the nature of the immune response. Growth factors and soluble mediators of immune responses: cytokines and chemokines. Th cell polarization, Th cell subclasses: Th1, Th2, Th17, and regulatory T cells. Complement: genetics and molecular structure of complement components; activation mechanisms: classical and alternative pathways; biological functions and evaluation of the complement system; inherited deficiencies of natural components and inhibitors. Central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms. Type I, II, III, and IV hypersensitivity reactions. Immunity and tumors. Autoimmunity: etiopathogenetic mechanisms; systemic and organ-specific diseases. Congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies.

Knowledge of biological chemistry, physiology and microbiology. Anatomo-histological notions of human systems and of their physiological mechanisms.

In addition to the texts adopted by Prof. Gismondi (course coordinator), we also recommend "lessons on immunology and immunopathology (Amadori Zanovello) Piccin

Lectures in class.

Interactive sessions with PowerPoint presentations and videos. The teaching materials will be provided to students via Moodle.

Oral questions on the syllabus topics

in addition to the texts adopted by Prof. Gismondi (course coordinator), we also recommend "lessons on immunology and immunopathology (Amadori Zanovello) Piccin

Integreted Program with Proff. R. Paolini, H. Stabile and S. Mardente e Gismondi General immunology General aspects of the immune system: natural and adaptive immune responses, the molecular basis of antigenicity. The antigen and the molecules involved in antigen recognition and binding. The T cell receptor (TCR) and the B cell receptor (BCR): structural features. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC). General characteristics of genes and genomic organization of the major histocompatibility complex; structure of MHC molecules. Structural basis of binding of peptides to MHC molecules. The antigen-presenting cells to T lymphocytes. Cell biology of antigen processing and physiological significance of antigen presentation in association to MHC. The T cell receptor (TCR). Structural features. Interaction TCR/MHC-peptide antigen. Protein receptor complex of T lymphocytes. Antibodies. Molecular structure. Chemical and structural basis of antigen/antibody binding. Antibody effector functions. Mechanisms generating the diversity of antigen receptors. The differentiation and activation of T and B lymphocytes. Signal transduction by the antigen receptor complex of T and B lymphocytes. The functional consequences of signal transduction by the antigen receptor complex in T and B cells. The role of helper T cells in determining the nature of the immune response. Antibody response. Effector cell-mediated mechanisms. Cytotoxic cells: cytotoxic T lymphocytes and NK cells, mechanisms of cytolysis. The complement: genetics and molecular structure of the complementary components; activation mechanisms: classical and alternative pathways; biological functions and evaluation of the complement system; hereditary deficiencies of the components and their natural inhibitors. Central and peripheral tollerance. Immunity and Infections: defense mechanisms against infectious agents (viruses, bacteria, protozoa, etc.). mucosal immunity. Principles of vaccination and strategies for vaccine development. Hypersensitivity reactions (types I, I, III and IV). Tumor immunology. Autoimmunity: mechanism of pathogenesis; systemic and organ specific diseases. Immunological methods. The monoclonal antibodies: applications in research and in the clinic. Laboratory methods for detection of antigens and antibodies: electrophoretic and radio-immunological methods, immunoassays; immunohistochemical techniques; agglutination.

Immunology and immunopathology module The student will need to know the cellular and soluble components of the immune system, as well as their functioning within the immune response. In particular, the basic knowledge required at the beginning of the teaching are: - General characteristics of immune responses. - Cells and tissues of the immune system. - Innate immunity: cells and soluble mediators. - Adaptive immunity: CD4 + and CD8 + T lymphocytes, MHC and antigen presentation, cytokines. - Receptors and siganling pathways of the immune system. - Lymphocyte maturation and BCR/TCR rearrangement. - Adaptive immunity: B lymphocytes, antibodies, cytokines. - Effector mechanisms of humoral immunity.

Material shown during lectures. The texts recommended for preparation of specific topics are: Abbas A.K., Lichtman A. H., Pillai S.Cellular and Molecular Immunology Ninth edition edition, Edra Masson, 2018. Murphy K. IMMUNOBIOLOGY of Janeway Ninth edition, Piccin-New Library, 2019. Parham P. The immune system. Seventh Edition, EdiSES, 2017.

Attendance is mandatory

Oral interview.

Lectures Flipped classroom