Learning objectives
<br />The purpose of the course is to provide basic notions of Immunology, Immunopathology and Immunohematology, in particular the basis necessary for the application of the main immunological techniques.
Course unit content
<br />Immunology<br />Blood and Hematopoiesis. Stem Cells.<br />Innate immunity :phagocytosis, activation of complement, natural killer, eosinophils, acute inflammation.<br />Acquired immunity<br />Antigens. The structural and functional aspects of antibodies. Antibody-antigen interaction. T and B lymphocytes and their receptors. The Major Histocompatibility System (MHC). Activation of B and T lymphocytes. Anatomy of the immune response. The production of effectors of the immune response: antibodies, TH1, TH2, TC lymphocytes, cytokines.<br />Immunity to extracellular and intracellular bacteria, to viral infection and to protozoa. Vaccinations. Immunodeficiency. Hypersensitivity. Pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Tumor immunology. <br />Monoclonal antibody production.<br />Immunohematology<br />ABO blood groups and serum antibodies. The rhesus (Rh) blood groups. Other blood groups. Haemolytic disease of the newborn. <br />Basic knowledge on the taking of a blood sample and general donor requirements.<br />Blood components and plasma by-products: properties, directions for use, preparation procedures and preservation. <br />Complications following blood transfusion and their handling.<br />Practical lessons<br />Antigen quantification.<br />Immunoidentification of antigen by ELISA and Western blotting.<br />Blood lymphocytes isolation.<br />Cytometric analysis.<br />Donation process and blood components preparation procedures.<br />Apheresis programs.<br />Crossmatch test.<br />Direct and indirect Coombs test.<br />
Bibliography
<br />
Abbas A.K. : Le basi dell’ Immunologia. Fisiopatologia del Sistema Immunitario. MASSON Elsevier II edizione. <br />
Vera Del Gobbo: Immunologia per le lauree sanitarie, III edizione Piccin <br />
Santoni A: Immunologia, Immunopatologia e patologia diagnostica clinica MASSON <br />
