he lessons contained in the course of General Pathology and Immunology are intended to provide a biotechnology student with a general picture of the defense methods implemented by our immune system against etiologic agents and neoplasms. The course also analyzes the pathogenetic mechanisms of inflammatory response and neoplastic transformation.
In-depth knowledge about the main molecular and cellular mechanisms of the immune response (natural and adaptative) against pathogens and tumors. Knowledge about hypersensitivity reactions and related conditions.
The part of General Pathology gives in-depth knowledge on the inflammatory process The concepts of angioflogosis and histoflogosis will be defined and characterized. Important aspects of general oncology will be addressed, such as the definitions of oncogene, tumor marker and metastasis. The classification of tumors on the basis of behavior, histogenesis, grading and staging will be defined.
About Immunology, the physiology of the immune system and the peculiar feature of innate and adaptive immune response will be deeply characterized. Finally, some of the principal pathological aspects of immune system will be described.
The topics are explained by the teacher with the help of PowerPoint slides that can be shared on Aulaweb. However, it is always recommended to use a textbook to broaden the overall vision of the topics.
Exceptionally, lessons can be held remotely using the Teams platform.
Any student with documented Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or with any special needs, shall reach out to the Lecturer(s) and to the dedicated SLD representative in the Department before class begins, in order to liase and arrange the specific teaching methods and ensure proper achievement of the learning aims and outcomes.
MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY
General etiology:
The main pathogenic effects of radiation and chemicals.
The inflammatory process:
Definition and causes of angioflogosis
Active and passive hyperemia: causes and consequences
Inflammatory oedema: causes and different exudates
Cellular and plasmatic mediators
Histoflogosis: pathogenesis and classification
Tissue repair
Hints on tuberculosis and syphilis
General oncology:
Modern definition of neoplasia
Cancer cells: atypical morphology, metabolism and behavior
The concept of tumor marker
Initiation, promotion and progression in carcinogenesis
Metastasis: definition and implications of tumor spread
Oncogenes: definition of and their mechanisms of activation
Hints on genetic predisposition to cancer
Causes of cancer: physical, chemical and biological factors
Classification of tumors on the basis of: behavior (malignant/benign), histogenesis, grading and staging
IMMUNOLOGY
The Immune System:
Cells and Tissues of the Immune System
General features of the Innate and Adaptive Immune response
The Innate Immunity Receptors. The Complement System
Natural Killer Cells (NK). The Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILC).Dendritic Cells (Myeloid and Plasmacitoid)
The Adaptive Immune Response. Clonal selection Theory
Origin and maturation of T and B lymphocytes. The Antigen receptors gene rearrangement (Immunoglobulin and T Cell receptors)
The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) . The antigen processing and presentation to T Lymphocytes
Activation of T Lymphocytes. Effector mechanisms of Cell mediated Immunity. Cytotoxic and Helper T cells subpopulations
B cell activation and Antibody production. The effector mechanisms of Humoral Immunity
The Cytokines
Immunity to Pathogens:
The Hypersensitivity Reactions
The immunity to tumors
Molecular Pathology: G.M. Pontieri, Elementi di patologia generale per i corsi di Laurea in Professioni Sanitarie. III Edizione PICCIN.
Immunology: P. Parham, Il sistema Immunitario, EdiSes; AK Abbas, AH Lichtmann, Le basi dell’Immunologia, ELSEVIER.
Ricevimento: Students can contact the teacher at this address: ricciarelli@medicina.unige.it
Ricevimento: By e-mail : chiara.vitale@unige.it By phone : 010-5558219
VINCENZO DI PILATO (President)
GUIDO FERLAZZO (President)
ROBERTA RICCIARELLI (President)
CHIARA VITALE (President)
Second semester.
The timetable for this course is available here: EasyAcademy
The exam takes place orally in the presence of the teachers of the disciplines concerned. The student answering to the questions formulated by the teachers must demonstrate to be able to critically discuss all the topics covered by the application.
The exam could be carried in out remotely online mode using the Teams platform.
Verification of learning through the oral examination allows students to verify the actual acquisition of the expected learning outcomes. To pass the exam, the student must demonstrate: - to know the etiological bases and the pathogenetic mechanisms of human diseases and to know how to analyze the main cellular and molecular aspects; - understand the different immunological mechanisms involved in the immune response and some of the pathologies responsible for defects in the functioning of the immune system (Hypersensitivity reactions).
