Introduction_to_Clinical_Immunology.pptx

Introduction_to_Clinical_Immunology

1. Introduction to Clinical Immunology An Overview of the Immune System and Its Clinical Applications

2. What is Clinical Immunology? - Study of the immune system in health and disease - Focuses on immune-related disorders and therapies - Plays a critical role in diagnostics and treatments

3. Components of the Immune System - Innate vs. Adaptive Immunity - Key cells: T cells, B cells, macrophages, dendritic cells - Organs: Bone marrow, thymus, spleen, lymph nodes

4. Innate Immunity - First line of defense: Skin, mucosal barriers - Cellular components: NK cells, dendritic cells, macrophages - Inflammatory response and pattern recognition receptors (PRRs)

5. Adaptive Immunity - Specific immune response mediated by lymphocytes - T cells: Cell-mediated immunity - B cells: Antibody production and memory response

6. Hypersensitivity Reactions - Type I: Immediate (e.g., allergies, anaphylaxis) - Type II: Cytotoxic (e.g., hemolytic anemia) - Type III: Immune complex-mediated (e.g., lupus) - Type IV: Delayed-type (e.g., contact dermatitis)

7. Autoimmune Diseases - Immune system attacks self-antigens - Examples: Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis - Mechanisms of self-reactivity and immune tolerance breakdown

8. Immunodeficiency Disorders - Primary: Genetic defects (e.g., SCID, Bruton's disease) - Secondary: Acquired conditions (e.g., HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression)

9. Immunotherapy and Clinical Applications - Vaccines: Prevention of infectious diseases - Monoclonal antibodies: Cancer therapy, autoimmune diseases - Immunosuppressants: Organ transplantation, autoimmune conditions

10. Diagnostic Immunology - Laboratory tests for immune function assessment - ELISA: Antibody detection - Flow cytometry: Immune cell analysis - PCR: Pathogen detection

11. Conclusion & Future Perspectives - Advances in immunotherapy and precision medicine - Role of the immune system in cancer and aging - Future trends: mRNA vaccines, gene therapy, artificial immunity