Learning objectives
The students will acquire the knowledge on the main mechanisms and molecules of cell-to-cell communication and on the main molecular pathways of inflammation; the students have also to learn the molecular mechanisms driving the innate and adaptive immune response against viruses and bacteria.
Prerequisites
- - -
Course unit content
Molecular regulation of inflammation and innate and adaptive immunity against viruses and bacteria.
Full programme
The inflammatory process:
Functional aspects.
Molecular regulation of cell-to-cell communication and cell activation during inflammatory phases:
- Proinflammatory and anti-inflammartory cytokines;
- Adhesion molecole;
- Chemokines
Cytokines and chronicization of inflammation.
Molecular mechanisms of Acute Phase Reactions.
Immunity and infection: molecular regulation of innate and adaptive immune response against viruses and bacteria.
-Immune cells;
-Pathogen recognition and activation of innnate and specific immune responses (cell cooperation between macrophages, Natural killer, Dendritic cells, Thelper Lymphocytes, Effector lymphocytes)
-Cytokines of the regulation of immunity;
-Basics of Mucosal immunity: molecular regulation.
-Infection, immunity and Neuroendocrine response:
d)Relationship between immune and neuroendocrine organs: molecular signals of communication;
e)Neuro-endocrine hormones and immune response;
f)Negative effects of persistent infection
Bibliography
Preparatory books for examination:
1)Abbas - Immunologia cellulare e molecolare – Piccin Padova.
2)G.B. Pier, J.B. Lyczak, L.M. Wetzler. Immunologia, infezione, immunità (2006). Piccin, Padova.
3)Murphy – Travers – Walpor. Janeway’s Immunobiologia 7ed. Piccin Padova
4) Teaching material available on-line:
- lectures diapos and review on specific topics (pdf)
-laboratory protocols.
Teaching methods
Classroom lectures (16 hours) and laboratory activity (8 hours)
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination
Other information
- - -
