EXAM QUESTIONS FROM IMMUNOLOGY 2014/2015
GENERAL MEDICINE
A. BASIC IMMUNOLOGY I
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Milestones of immunology  the most distinguished personalities who contributed to
the development of immunology
Immune system – structure and function, innate and acquired immunity, active and
passive immunity
Specific and non-specific immune response – characteristics, a comparison
Primary and secondary lymphoid organs and their function. Distribution and
circulation of lymphocytes in the organism
Cells of the immune system and their function
Basic characteristics of antigens. Immunogeneicity and specificity. Epitopes, haptens
Basic structure of immunoglobulin molecules
Function of individual immunoglobulin classes
Primary and secondary immune response, affinity and avidity of antibodies
Cellular and molecular basis of phagocytosis
Mechanisms of bacterial killing by phagocytes
Role of macrophages in immune defence mechanisms
Inflammation – relevant cells and mediators
Molecular patterns (PAMPs and DAMPs) and pattern recognition receptors (TLR,
NOD1, NOD2, Dectin 1 and 2, NLRP3)
B cells – characteristics, function, characteristic membrane antigens
Characteristics and function of  T cells; T cell subpopulations
Regulatory (natural and induced) and memory T cells
NK cells their biological significance, receptors, function
 T cells, NK and NKT cells – their biological significance, receptors, function
Basic receptors of the immune cells (BCR, TCR, NKR, FcR)
Exogenous pathway of antigen presentation
Endogenous pathway of antigen presentation
Antigen presentation pathways mediated by CD1 and MR1 molecules
MHC-restriction. Co-stimulatory and adhesive interactions leading to T cell
activation. Superantigens
Induction of the immune response (from the entrance of an antigen into the organism
till the production of antibodies or effector T cells: DC x Ag, DC x T-Ly, TH-Ly x BLy, T-Ly x TC-Ly)
T helper cell polarisation; T helper cell subsets (Th1, Th2, Th9, Th17, Th22)
Membrane antigens of B and T cells – characteristics, biological significance
Membrane antigens of NK cells, myeloid cells – characteristics, biological
significance. Adhesive molecules (integrins, selectins, cadherins)
Immunologic tolerance (dominant and recessive)
Apoptosis (extrinsic and intrinsic pathways)
B. BASIC IMMUNOLOGY II
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Classical and lectin pathways of complement activation
Alternative pathway of complement activation
Regulatory proteins and receptors of the complement system
Biological significance of the complement system
Acute phase proteins – function, significance
Cytokines  general properties
Cytokines mediating and regulating innate immunity (IL-1, IL-6, IL-12,
IL-15, TNF)
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Cytokines mediating and regulating adaptive immunity (IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL17, TGF-)
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Cytokines stimulating haematopoesis (CSFs, c-kit, IL-3, IL-7, IL-9, IL-11)
10. Chemokines. Interferons (class I, II, III) and their biological activities
11. Myeloid, plasmacytoid and follicular dendritic cells and their role in immunity
12. HLA complex – class I, II and III loci, genes. Inheritance of HLA-genes
13. HLA complex – biochemical structure and distribution of class I and II molecules
14. Biological significance of the HLA-complex and its role in clinical praxis
15. Mucous immune system (MALT, GALT, BALT, IgA, sIgA, poly-IgR, IgD)
16. Immune response developing in the lymph nodes and spleen  a comparison
17. ABO and Rhesus blood groups (biochemical structure, genetics, Bombay
phenomenon, development of isoantibodies)
18. Rhesus blood groups. RhD-incompatibility between mother and her child
19. Foeto-maternal relationship. Immune system of the fetus, newborn and infant
20. An overview of classical serological techniques and their principles (agglutination,
precipitation, immunodiffusion)
21. An overview of modern serological techniques and their principles (ELISA, RIA,
turbidimetry, nephelometry)
22. An overview of techniques used to evaluate the immune status of an individual
23. An overview of methods used to determine the function of natural immunity
24. An overview of methods used to determine the function of cellular immunity
25. An overview of techniques used to determine donor-recipient compatibility for organ
and tissue transplants
26. Current possibilities of immunologic diagnostics of allergies in vitro and in vivo
27. Laboratory diagnostics of the HIV-infection
C. IMMUNOPATHOGENIC MECHANISMS AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
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Type I hypersensitivity reactions
IgE and non-IgE mediated anaphylactic shocks
Role of eosinophils, basophils, and mast cells in the development of allergic rhinitis,
asthma bronchiale a atopic dermatitis
Type II and V hypersensitivity reactions
Type III hypersensitivity reactions  local and systemic
Type IV hypersensitivity (Delayed type of hypersensitivity)
Transplantation nomenclature. Mechanisms of allograft rejection (HvG, GvH)
General principles of donor  recipient selection for organ and tissue transplantations
Immunopathologic mechanisms leading to autoimmunity, antigens inducing
autoimmune processes, main autoimmune disorders
Genetic basis of autoimmunity (AIRE, FOXP3, HLA, Fas/FasL, complement genes),
a role of hormones in autoimmune processes
Factors inducing malignant processes (physical, chemical, biological; oncogenes).
Effector mechanism of tumour defence
Mechanisms of tumour cell escape from immune system surveillance. Immunology
of metastatic process
Immunodiagnostics and immunotherapy of tumours
Immunostimulation (chemical a biological immunostimulatory agents/drugs)
Cytokines used in the therapy of autoimmune disorders, tumours
and immunodeficiences
Immunosuppression, most important immunosuppressive drugs
Conventional and monoclonal antibodies. Hybridoms. Monoclonal antibodies in the
therapy of autoimmune diseases and malignancies
Active and passive immunisation. Types of vaccines. Adjuvants
Immunodeficiencies  general features, classification
Primary phagocytic immunodeficiencies (CGD, LAD1) and complement
defficiencies (hereditary angioedema, paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria, C2
and C4 deficiency, terminal complement components deficiencies)
Humoral immunodeficiencies (CVID, selective IgA-deficiency, hyper IgM
syndrome, X-linked agammaglobulinemia)
T cell immunodeficiencies (Di George and Nezelof syndromes, chronic
mucocutaneous candidiasis) and combined immunodeficiencies (SCID, WiskottAldrich syndrome, bare lymphocyte syndrome)
Structure of HIV virus; interaction of HIV with target cells and involved molecules
The impact of HIV infection on the immune system
Immunodiagnostic and therapeutic possibilities of HIV infection. Prevention of
AIDS
Immunity to extracellular and intracellular parasitic bacteria
Immunity to viruses, fungi and parasites
Prof. Milan BUC, MD, DSc.
Head of the department