OVERVIEW

The course consists of 6 credits corresponding to 48 hours of teaching. It allows the student to learn the functioning of the immune system in physiological and pathological conditions and to understand the underlying mechanisms of the main immune-mediated diseases.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide students with the basic knowledge about the functioning of the immune system, inflammation, immune response against infectious agents and against cancer, the causes and pathogenesis of major alterations in the immune response. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course is divided into several parts including: innate immunity, inflammation, acquired immunity, effector mechanisms of the immune response, immunopathology, immunotherapy and vaccines.

TEACHING METHODS

The course is organized in frontal lessons and deals with various topics of immunology and immunopathology. These topics are explained by the teacher through PowerPoint presentations that are saved and shared on Aulaweb. However, the teachers always recommend the use of a textbook to expand the overall view of the subject.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The immune system: general characteristics of the innate and acquired immune response.

Cells and organs of the immune system.

Innate immune response. Inflammation.

Acute inflammation. Inflammatory cells. Innate immunity receptors.

Innate immunity defects.

Chemical mediators of inflammation

Inflammatory cytokines. Chemokines.

Leukocyte migration.

Systemic effects of inflammation. Acute phase proteins.

Classification and outcome of acute inflammation.

Chronic inflammation. Granulomas.

Humoral and cell-mediated immune response.

Antigen recognition by B and T cells.

B cell maturation. Rearrangement of immunoglobulin genes.

B cell activation and effector mechanisms.

Structure and function of antibodies.

The complement system.

Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC). Antigen processing and presentation.

Dendritic cells.

T cell maturation. Rearrangement of TCR genes.

T cell activation and effector mechanisms.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Helper T lymphocytes. Cytokines.

Natural Killer cells.

Defence mechanisms against viruses and bacteria. Viral escape mechanisms.

Mucosal immunity.

Congenital and acquired immune deficiencies.

Immune response against cancer: effector cells, immunosurveillance, cancer immunoediting.

Hypersensitivity reactions: type I, II, III and IV.

Autoimmunity. Mechanisms of central and peripheral tolerance. Major autoimmune diseases.

Solid organ transplants: classification and rejection mechanisms. Immunosuppressive drugs. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Vaccination. Immunological memory. Main types of vaccines. Adjuvants.

Immunotherapy. Antibody Therapy. Monoclonal antibodies. Cell Therapy. Vaccination with T lymphocytes, vaccination with dendritic cells.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Parham, The immune System, 3rd Edition

Abbas, Lichtman, Pillai, Cellular and Molecular Immunology, 8th edition

Mak, Saunders, Jett, Primer to the Immune Response, 2nd edition

Kuby, Immunology, 7th Edition

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CLAUDIA CANTONI (President)

CINZIA MARIA DOMENICOTTI

CHIARA VITALE

LESSONS

LESSONS START

After September 20th, 2017. Lessons start will be communicated on the website.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral test and takes place in the presence of two professors. The interview lasts approximately 20 minutes for each student and is focused on the whole coursework covered during the lectures. 

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Through the discussion of several topics concerning immunology and immunopathology, the Commission verifies the achievement of the educational goals.

Exam schedule