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, to understand the underlying mechanisms of the main immune-mediated diseases, and to acquire information about vaccines and immunotherapy.

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, vaccines, and immunotherapy. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The Immunology course aims:
-    to provide an adequate knowledge about the function of the immune system;
-    to analyze the mechanisms at the base of the immune response against the different infectious agents and against tumors;
-    to provide an overall comprehension  about the causes and the pathogenesis of  the main alterations of the immune response;
-    to provide an adequate knowledge about vaccines and immunotherapy.

At the end of the course the student will be able:
-    to gain a deep knowledge about the features and mechanisms of innate and adaptive immune response;
-    to describes the mechanisms involved in acute and chronic inflammation;
-    to apply the acquired knowledge on the immune response to explain defense mechanisms against infectious agents and tumors;
-    to apply the acquired knowledge on the immune response to explain the mechanisms involved in immune system alterations and to comprehend the function of vaccines and immunotherapy;
-    to acquire a correct terminology for the proper presentation of the processes examined. 

PREREQUISITES

In order to deal with the contents of the course, students should have a good knowledge in the fields of biochemistry, cellular biology, human anatomy, histology, and physiology. 

TEACHING METHODS

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

If necessary, the lessons could be carried out remotely in online mode using the Teams platform.

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, Garland Science

Abbas, Lichtman, Pillai - Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Elsevier

Dianzani, Pucillo - Immunologia e Immunopatologia, Edi-Ermes

Coico, Sunshine - Immunology: a short course, Ed. Wiley Blackwell

Mak, Saunders, Jett - Primer to the Immune Response, Elsevier

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CHIARA VITALE (President)

CLAUDIA CANTONI

CINZIA MARIA DOMENICOTTI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

After September 24th, 2023. Lessons start will be communicated to the studentes through Aulaweb.

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 30 minutes for each student and is focused on the whole coursework covered during the lectures. Through the discussion of different topics, the committee verifies the fulfillment of the expected learning outcomes. At the end of the oral examination, teachers elaborate a final mark. The mark 30/30 with honors will be assigned when the knowledge of the subject is excellent.

If necessary, the exam could be carried out remotely in online mode using the Teams platform.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Verification of learning is carried out through the oral exam, aimed at verifying the real acquisition by the student of the expected learning outcomes.
In order to pass the exam the student will have:
-    to know how innate and adaptive immune responses work and to analyze the involved mechanisms;
-    to understand the different immunological mechanisms involved in the diseases associated to the dysfunction of the immune system;
-    to know the mechanisms at the base of vaccines and immunotherapy.

The following items will contribute to the final mark:
-    competence in the subject;
-    ability to critically discuss the requested topics;
-    accuracy, clarity, synthesis and fluency;
-    speaking ability and correct use of terminology.

Exam schedule