Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - BarcelonaImmunology
Module: ELECTIVE
Matter: ELECTIVE
Main language of instruction: Catalan
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish
Head instructor
Dra. Sofía PÉREZ DEL PULGAR - sperezdelpulgar@uic.es
Office hours
Tutoring and consultations
Doubts will be solved in person or by video meeting in tutoring sessions. It is necessary to make an appointment by email.
Sofia Pérez del Pulgar (sperezdelpulgar@uic.es): to be arranged on Fridays from 4 to 6 p.m.
Eva Quandt (equandt@uic.es)
Noelia Perez (nperez@uic.es)
Helena Muley (helenamuley@uic.es)
"Immunology" is a compulsory subject in the Biomedicine degree. It introduces the student to the study of the body defence mechanisms (physiological and pathological) against antigens derived from microorganisms, toxins or derived from the malfunction of cells. This subject allows the student to understand the interaction between pathogens and the host based on the knowledge of the components and functions of the immune system in health and disease conditions. At the beginning of the subject, there is a whole chapter about the composition and functions of the blood, which is necessary in order to understand the fundamental role that this tissue plays in the body’s immune response.
In order to undertake the subject of Immunology, students need an important basis in biochemistry, human genetics, molecular biology and cellular biology. These learning skills are included in the subjects programmed in the first course of the Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedicine.
To acquire basic knowledge about the composition and function of the blood.
To identify elements of the immune system from a structural and functional approach, both in health and disease conditions.
To understand the homeostatic role of blood and the immune system in the functioning of the human body.
To understand the impact of knowledge of blood and the immune system on improving human health, mainly in terms of disease prevention and diagnosis, and the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Know and define the components of the blood and its functions.
Analyse the characteristics and differences of the adaptive and innate immune responses.
Establish the relationship between the pathogen and the type of immune response developed by the host: route of infection, response mechanisms, memory and evasion.
Know the main disorders of the immune system: hypersensitivity, autoimmune diseases and immunodeficiencies.
Learn the role of the immune system in clinical settings such as organ transplantation or tumour immunology.
Understand the mechanisms of activation and regulation of cellular and humoral immune responses and their relationship to immune system diseases.
Learn about laboratory techniques for the study of blood and the immune system.
Understand the theoretical basis of the immunological tools used in the diagnostic and research laboratory.
Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Description of the syllabus, recommended literature, organisation of the subject and assessment.
1.2 What is Immunology? Immune system elements: organs, cells and molecules.
1.3 Definition of innate and adaptive immunity. Concept of humoral and cellular immune response. Inflammatory response. Concept of antigen clonality.
Chapter 2 Blood Physiology
2.1 Blood functions and haemostasis.
2.2 Haematopoiesis.
2.3 Peripheral blood: erythrocytes, platelets and leukocytes (granulocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes).
Chapter 3 Organs of the immune system
3.1 Primary lymphoid organs: thymus and bone marrow.
3.2 Secondary lymphoid organs: lymph nodes (anatomic structure, paracortex, high endothelium venules (HEV), cortex, lymphoid follicles, germinal centres). Spleen (white pulp, red pulp, splenic circulation). Mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT): Tonsils, vermiform appendix, gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT).
Chapter 4 Innate immunity
4.1 Natural defence mechanisms. Physical and chemical barriers. Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs). Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP).
4.2 Innate immunity cells: Phagocytes (neutrophils and macrophages), basophils, eosinophils, mast cells, NK cells (natural killer).
4.3 The complement system. Acute phase proteins. Toll-like receptors (TLR). Topic 5: Adaptive immunity
Chapter 5 Adaptive immunity
5.1 Adaptive immunity cells: T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells.
5.2 The B cell receptor (BCR) and antibodies. Structure of immunoglobulins. Generation of diversity in the repertoire of immunoglobulins: immunoglobulin gene rearrangement.
5.3 The T cell receptor (TCR). The MHC/HLA system. Antigenic processing and presentation.
Chapter 6 Recirculation of leukocytes
6.1 Lymphocyte recirculation: rolling, activation, adhesion and migration through the endothelium. Adhesion molecules.
6.2 Cytokines. Properties. Autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine action. Cytokine families and receptors.
6.3 Chemokines. Chemotactic action and "homing" of leukocytes. Chemokine families and receptors.
6.4 The inflammatory response: leukocyte migration to infection sites.
Chapter 7 Cellular immune response
7.1 From the innate to the adaptive response.
7.2 Activation of T cells. Interaction between TCR, MHC and accessory molecules.
7.3 T cells and B memory. Effector T cells.
7.4 Cytotoxicity mechanisms: perforin and granzyme, lymphotoxins and Fas-FasL.
Chapter 8 Humoral immune response
8.1 Activation of B lymphocytes. Antigen recognition.
8.2 Lymphoid follicles and germinal centre formation.
8.3 Somatic hypermutation. Change of isotype. Effector functions of antibodies.
Chapter 9 Immune response against pathogens
9.1 Immune response mechanisms against viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites.
9.2 Evasion mechanisms.
Chapter 10 Immune tolerance
10.1 Hypersensitivity.
10.2 Autoimmunity.
10.3 Organ transplantation.
Chapter 11 Immunopathology and immunotherapy
11.1 Congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies.
11.2 Tumour immunology.
11.3 Vaccines.
Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Description of the syllabus, recommended literature, organization of the subject and evaluation.
1.2 What is Immunology? Immune system elements: organs, cells and molecules.
1.3 Definition of innate and adaptive immunity. Concept of humoral and cellular immune response. Inflammatory response. Concept of antigen clonality.
Chapter 2 Blood Physiology
2.1 Blood functions and hemostasis.
2.2 Hematopoiesis.
2.3 Peripheral blood: erythrocytes, platelets and leukocytes (granulocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes).
Chapter 3 Organs of the immune system
3.1 Primary lymphoid organs: thymus and bone marrow.
3.2 Secondary lymphoid organs: lymph nodes (anatomic structure, paracortex, high endothelium venules (HEV), cortex, lymphoid follicles, germinal centers). Spleen (white pulp, red pulp, splenic circulation). Mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT): Tonsils, vermiform appendix, gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT).
Chapter 4 Innate immunity
4.1 Natural defense mechanisms. Physical and chemical barriers. Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs). Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP).
4.2 Innate immunity cells: Phagocytes (neutrophils and macrophages), basophils, eosinophils, mast cells, NK cells (natural killer).
4.3 The complement system. Acute phase proteins. Toll-like receptors (TLR). Topic 5: Adaptive immunity
Chapter 5 Adaptive immunity
5.1 Adaptive immunity cells: T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells.
5.2 The B cell receptor (BCR) and antibodies. Structure of immunoglobulins. Generation of diversity in the repertoire of immunoglobulins: immunoglobulin gene rearrangement.
5.3 The T cell receptor (TCR). The MHC/HLA system. Antigenic processing and presentation.
Chapter 6 Recirculation of leukocytes
6.1 Lymphocyte recirculation: rolling, activation, adhesion and migration through the endothelium. Adhesion molecules.
6.2 Cytokines. Properties. Autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine action. Cytokine families and receptors.
6.3 Chemokines. Chemotactic action and "homing" of leukocytes. Chemokines families and receptors.
6.4 The inflammatory response: leukocyte migration to infection sites.
Chapter 7 Cellular immune response
7.1 From the innate to the adaptive response.
7.2 Activation of T cells. Interaction between TCR, MHC and accessory molecules.
7.3 T cells and B memory. Effector T cells.
7.4 Cytotoxicity mechanisms: perforin and granzyme, lymphotoxins and Fas-FasL.
Chapter 8 Humoral immune response
8.1 Activation of B lymphocytes. Antigen recognition.
8.2 Lymphoid follicles and germinal center formation.
8.3 Somatic hypermutation. Change of isotype. Effector functions of antibodies.
Chapter 9 Immune response against pathogens
9.1 Immune response mechanisms against viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites.
9.2 Evasion mechanisms.
Chapter 10 Immune tolerance
10.1 Hypersensitivity.
10.2 Autoimmunity.
10.3 Organ transplantation.
Chapter 11 Immunopathology and immunotherapy
11.1 Congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies.
11.2 Tumor immunology.
11.3 Vaccines.
Master classes: The lecturer presents a topic for 50 min approximately. Visual support is used in power point format to accompany the explanations and, depending on the topic, different activities will be proposed to encourage student participation.
Case Methods: Approach to a real or imaginary situation. Students answer questions in small groups or in interaction with the teacher and the answers are discussed. The teacher actively intervenes and, if necessary, contributes new knowledge. These classes can cover new topics or further topics already addressed in the master classes. Case methods have the same importance and weight as questions in the final exam.
Virtual Education: Online material located on the Moodle platform that the student can consult from any computer, at any time, which will contribute to the self-learning of concepts related to the subject. The virtual material is part of the content of the subject and will be evaluated in the final exam.
Laboratory Practices: Practical sessions where experimental techniques covered in the theoretical classes are put into practice. Knowledge of the most common experimental resources in an immunology laboratory. Attendance is mandatory and the content of the practical sessions will be assessed directly in the final exam.
First sitting students:
Case methods and class participation: 20%
Mid-term exam: 20% (optional)
Final exam: 60%
Students in second sitting:
Case methods: 20%
Final exam: 80%
Students in subsequent sittings:
Case methods: 20% (saved, although if the student wishes, she/he will be allowed to participate again in the case methods and obtain a new mark)
Mid-term exam: 20% (optional)
Final exam: 60% (if the student has taken the mid-term exam) or 80% (if the student has not taken the mid-term exam)
General aspects about the evaluation system:
Final exam: a minimum mark of 5 must be obtained before being averaged with the continuous evaluation marks (case methods and mid-term exam).
The tests will be multiple-choice Q&A with 4 response options, counting +1 for correct answers and -0.2 for errors.
20% of exam questions could be on concepts that have not been explained directly in the classroom but are present in the recommended literature, as well as in articles discussed, the press or recommended virtual material.
Class participation includes: 1) bringing interesting ideas or the discussion of relevant issues that will help to improve the quality of the session, either in the master classes or case methods, and 2) timely delivery of tasks or exercises.
Attendance:
Regular attendance at master classes and case methods is recommended.
Attendance at master classes is not mandatory but attendees will have to follow the rules set by the teachers.
Participation in case methods is optional. To be evaluated for this part of the subject, it is mandatory to attend a minimum of 7 sessions and participate in the proposed activities as detailed at the beginning of the course.
Attendance at laboratory practical sessions is mandatory. Students must participate in the groups assigned by the teacher. The expulsion of a student from the laboratory classroom results in automatic failure in the subject.
Important: Improper use of electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets or laptops may result in expulsion from the class. Misuse means the recording and dissemination of images/sound/voices of students or teachers during the various classes, as well as the use of these devices for recreational and non-educational purposes.
Books:
Janeway's Immunobiology
Kenneth Murphy & Casey Weaver. Garland Science, NY, 9th ed. (2016).
Cellular and Molecular Immunology
Abul K. Abbas, Andrew H. Lichtman, Shiv Pillai. Saunders, 8thed. (2014)
Basic Immunology: Functions and Disorders of the Immune System
Abul K. Abbas, Andrew H. Lichtman, Shiv Pillai. Elsevier, 6th ed. (201 9)
Kuby Immunology (with web support)
J.A. Owen, J. Punt, S.A. Stranford. W.H. Freeman Co., 7th ed, (2013).
Scientific journals:
Immunity https://www.cell.com/immunity/home
Nature Immunology https://www.nature.com/ni/
Journal of Immunology https://www.jimmunol.org/
Frontiers in Immunology https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology
Advances in Immunology https://www.elsevier.com/books/book-series/advances-in-immunology
Annual Review of Immunology https://www.annualreviews.org/journal/immunol
Current Opinion in Immunology https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/current-opinion-in-immunology
Nature Reviews in Immunology https://www.nature.com/nri/
Trends in Immunology https://www.cell.com/trends/immunology/home
E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session: