Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences
Basics of Immunology – Faculty of Science, Charles University
A lecture course “Basics of Immunology” (MB150P14B) taught in Czech, intended for undergraduate students. It provides a broad foundation in modern immunology, ranging from the molecular and cellular principles of the immune system’s functioning to the roles of individual immune mechanisms in defence against pathogens and tumours. The course also covers disorders of the immune system such as autoimmunity, allergies and immunodeficiency.
Syllabus
| 1. | Basic concepts, functions and components of the immune system (main functions and principles of functioning; antigens, types of immune mechanisms, main components of the immune system) |
| 2. | Cells of innate immunity and their functions, detection of microorganisms by cells of innate immunity (macrophages, monocytes, dendritic cells, granulocytes, mast cells; receptors and “weapons” of these cells; inflammasome, phagocytosis, oxidative burst) |
| 3. | Complement (activation of complement, its basic functions and regulation, protection of own cells from its effects) |
| 4. | Antibodies and antigen-specific receptors of lymphocytes (structure of BCRs, TCRs and antibodies; formation of repertoires of these molecules, isotype skipping) |
| 5. | Basics of signal transduction by leukocyte receptors (very briefly) |
| 6. | MHC glycoproteins and peptide fragment presentation (structure, expression, function and polymorphism of MHC glycoproteins, peptide binding to MHC glycoproteins, MHC gene complex) |
| 7. | Localization of the immune response; lymphoid tissues and organs |
| 8. | Inflammation (definition and types of inflammation, process of inflammatory reaction and its resolution, systemic response of the organism to inflammation) |
| 9. | T lymphocyte-based immune responses (development and selection of T lymphocytes, immune responses of TH1, TH2, TH17, Tfh and Treg cells; mutual regulation of T lymphocyte activity; immune responses based on cytotoxic T lymphocytes) |
| 10. | Immune reactions based on B lymphocytes (development and selection of B lymphocytes, antibody response induced by T lymphocyte-independent antigens, antibody response induced by T lymphocyte-dependent antigens, effector mechanisms of antibodies, polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies |
| 11. | Immune memory (memory T cells and B cells, trained immunity) |
| 12. | Natural killer cell-based immune responses (basic types and functions of ILC cells; NK cells and their functions, NK receptors, NK cell licensing) |
| 13. | Anti-infectious immunity (basic principles of protection against pathogenic microorganisms, defense against bacteria, viruses, protozoan parasites, multicellular parasites; mechanisms of escape of microorganisms from the defensive reactions of the immune system |
| 14. | Mucosal and cutaneous immune system (structure and main functions of the mucosal and cutaneous immune system) |
| 15. | Vaccination (principle, main types of vaccines) |
| 16. | Immunodeficiencies (definition of immunodeficiencies and their classification; primary immunodeficiencies, acquired immunodeficiencies, HIV) |
| 17. | Transplantation immunology (organ transplantation, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, blood types, types and causes of graft rejection, graft versus host reactions, options for suppressing transplant rejection, immunological relationship between mother and fetus |
| 18. | Autoimmunity and allergies (causes of autoimmunity, classification of autoimmune diseases, overview of the most common autoimmune diseases, therapy of autoimmune diseases; basic mechanisms and treatment of allergies) |
| 19. | Anti-tumour immunity (immune surveillance, components of anti-tumour immunity, recognition of tumours by the immune system, immunotherapy of tumours) |
