The course provides fundamental and advanced knowledge of the structure and function of the immune system, as well as the genetic basis of immune processes. Students will become familiar with the key components of innate and adaptive immunity, molecular and cellular mechanisms of antigen recognition, lymphocyte development and function, and signaling pathways involved in the immune response. Special emphasis is placed on the molecular and genetic foundations of immune receptor variability, the relationship between genetic factors and immune-related diseases (autoimmunity, immunodeficiencies, allergies), the principles of transplantation immunology, and modern therapeutic approaches such as immunotherapy and gene therapy. Students will develop the ability to understand and interpret scientific literature as well as critical thinking in the field of immunology. Through lectures, discussions, and practical laboratory exercises, students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for understanding immune processes, applying immune methods in research, and critical thinking about the translation of basic knowledge into clinical practice.
COURSE CONTENT: The course is conducted continuously according to the scheduled timetable and includes lectures and practical laboratory exercises, with an emphasis on experimental methods in immunological and genetic research.
LECTURES: Lectures will be based on a combination of ex cathedra teaching and interactive sessions, actively engaging students in the learning process.
1. History of the development of immunological science and the organization of the immune system
2. Humoral and cellular immunity - the role of antigens and histocompatibility genes
3. Immunoglobulins and B-lymphocytes: structure, function and the genetic basis of the immune response
4. Antigen processing and presentation - cooperation of T and B lymphocytes
5. T-cell receptor and T-lymphocyte differentiation
6. Effector mechanisms of immune cells - cytokines and chemokines
7. Complement system, inflammation and leukocyte migration
8. Regulation of immunity and mechanisms of immune tolerance
9. Immune hypersensitivity and allergic reactions - types I?IV
10. Immune system in health and disease - vaccines and immunization
11. Immune response to infectious diseases
12. Autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases - mechanisms, clinical forms and therapeutic approaches
13. Immunodeficiencies - from primary disorders to AIDS
14. Transplant rejection and immunosuppression - immunological, molecular and clinical aspects of transplantation
15. Tumor immunology ? immune surveillance and modern immunotherapy
LABORATORY EXERCISES: The course practical component is based on independent performance of laboratory exercises, data analysis, and critical reflection, allowing students to deepen their understanding of immune processes and immunogenetic mechanisms. Each exercise involves hands-on work, observation, and interpretation of the obtained data.
1. Cells and organs of the immune system
- Familiarization with the location and function of primary and secondary immune organs
- Isolation of primary and secondary immune organs in mice
- Preparation of single-cell suspensions from thymus, spleen, and lymph nodes
- Determination of cellularity of isolated immune organs
- Estimation of the proportion of cell numbers in prepared cell suspensions
2. Cytotoxicity test
- Introduction to the complement system
- Evaluation of the effect of rat polyclonal anti-thymocyte serum on mouse thymocytes
- Monitoring the impact of different serum titers on thymocyte survival
- Analysis of cell survival after complement-mediated cytotoxicity
3. Immunization
- Introduction to the experimental immunization procedures in animal models
- Understanding the types and role of adjuvants in enhancing immune responses
- Preparation of bovine serum albumin as an antigen and adjuvant mixture
- Primary immunization of rats with bovine albumin
- Assessment of antibody production in serum in a subsequent exercise using radial immunodiffusion
4. Plaque forming cell (PFC) assay
- Introduction to the function of B-lymphocytes
- Immunization of mice with sheep erythrocytes
- Spleen isolation, preparation of gel solutions, sheep erythrocyte suspensions and complement protein solutions
- Estimation of the proportion of spleen plasma cells that producing antibodies against sheep erythrocytes
5. Radial immunodiffusion
- Preparation of antigen solutions at different concentrations
- Preparation of gel solutions containing antiserum
- Graphical determination of the concentration of an unknown antigen
6. ELISA ? computer simulation
- Introduction to the ELISA technique and its variants
- Analysis of subjective and objective limitations of the method
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Imunologija, Andreis, I.; Batinić, D.; Čulo, F.; Grčević, D.; Marušić, M.; Taradi, M. Imunologija, 2010., Medicinska naklada, sedmo izdanje, Zagreb., Andreis, I.; Batinić, D.; Čulo, F.; Grčević, D.; Marušić, M.; Taradi, M., Medicinska naklada, Zagreb, 2010.
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Stanična i molekularna imunologija, 2. Abbas, A. K.; Lichtman, A. H.; Pillai, S. Stanična i molekularna imunologija, 2024., deseto izdanje, Medicinska naklada, Zagreb., Abbas, A. K.; Lichtman, A. H.; Pillai, S., Medicinska naklada, Zagreb, 2024.
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Immunology, 3. Kuby, J. Immunology, 2007., 6rd ed., Freeman and company, New York., Kuby J., Freeman and company, New York, 2007.
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Immunology, 4. Male, D.; Brustoff, J.; Roth, D.B.; Roitt, I. Immunology, 2006, 7th ed., Mosby, Edinburgh, UK., Male, D.; Brustoff, J.; Roth, D.B.; Roitt, I., Mosby, Edinburgh, 2006.
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Immunobiology, 5. Janeway, C.A. Jr; Travers, P.; Walport, M.; Shlomchik, M. Immunobiology, The Immune system in Health and Disease, 2001., 5th ed. Garland Science, Publishing, New York, Janeway, C.A. Jr; Travers, P.; Walport, M.; Shlomchik, M., Garland Science, New York, 2001.
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Osnove imunosne reakcije, Oršolić, N. Osnove imunosne reakcije, 2009, Interna skripta., Oršolić, N., Interna skripta, 2009.
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