Course: Immunology and Immunohematology

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Course title Immunology and Immunohematology
Course code KBBV/C877
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminary
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study 3
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Bílková Zuzana, prof. RNDr. Ph.D.
  • Slováková Marcela, doc. Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Sýkora Tomáš, MUDr.
Course content
1st week Brief overview of immunohematology and immunohematological methods. History and terminology in immunology. Role and mechanisms of functioning of the immune system. Components of the immune system: overview of organs, cells and their features in the immune system, development from the hematopoietic stem cell. 2nd week Adhesive molecules, cytokines, PAMP, PPR. Mechanisms of signal transduction in the immune system. Laboratory detection and quantification of molecules. Human HLA system, meaning, genetics, molecular structure. Presentation of antigens in connection with HLA, restrictions. Approaches and reasons for investigating the HLA system. 3rd week Cell death, apoptosis, necrosis, examination techniques. Analysis and evaluation of flow cytometry data. Practical examples of analysis results related to hemato-oncological or immunodeficiency diseases. Phagocytic cells, characteristics, description of phases. Oxygen-dependent and -independent cidia. Investigation of the functions of phagocytosis. Properties and role of mast cells, basophils. Cytotoxic action of NK cells. 4th week Complement system, methods of activation, activators. Acute phase proteins, their detection. Investigation of humoral immunity. Immunobiology of inflammation, phases, endogenous and exogenous causes, cellular and humoral components. Molecules recognizing antigen, description of molecular structure. Antibody classes, idiotype, biological role. Natural antibodies. Overview of methods for detection and quantification of antibodies. 5th week B lymphocytes, development, characteristics of stages, activation of B lymphocytes. Functional tests of B lymphocytes. T lymphocytes, subpopulations and their relationships, role in the organism. Activation of T lymphocytes, cytokines, homing lymphocytes. Functional tests of lymphocytes. 6th week Immune reactions based on T lymphocytes. The generation of a cellular response. Antibody immune response, primary and secondary. Concepts of affinity maturation, isotype switching. Immunoanalytical methods with indicators (EIA, RIA, FIA, LIA tests), automatic immunoanalyzers. 7th week Regulation of the immune response, idiotypic network. The essence of antigen receptor diversity. The immune system of the mucous membranes and skin. Preparation of diagnostic mono- and polyclonal antibodies for investigative methods. 8th week Development of immunological tolerance, central and peripheral. Ontogeny and aging of immunity. Immunity and infection, HIV virus. Laboratory methods of infection detection, detection of specific antibodies. 9th week: Immunological basis of immunopathological reactions. Autoimmunity, association of HLA molecules with diseases. Methods of detection of autoantibodies and autoantigens. Allergic response, meaning of IgE, determination methods, allergens. Laboratory diagnosis of allergies. Immune deficiency, definition of primary and secondary deficits. 10th week Tumor antigens, tumor cells, antitumor immunity, therapy options, TIL, LAK cells. Immunoelectrophoretic methods, detection of monoclonal immunoglobulins and light chains in serum and urine, immunofixation. 11th week IS Therapy. Basic terms in transplant immunology and blood transfusion, the role of HLA antigens, graft healing. Principles of vaccines, therapeutic options in clinical immunology.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Dialogic (discussion, interview, brainstorming)
Learning outcomes
The aim of the subject is to familiarize with the basics of general immunology and the importance of the components of the immune system as a whole. Other topics will complement the specific mechanisms of the immune system and give examples from clinical immunology. Part of the subject is an introduction to immunohematology and examination methods in immunology and immunohematology. In addition to contact, scheduled teaching lasting 55 hours, the teaching also consists of 11 hours of non-contact teaching, when students work on topics for seminars.
After completing the course, the student is able to choose an appropriate method for clinical immunological investigation, describe the principles of the methods and evaluate the results.
Prerequisites
The course closely follows theoretical teaching in immunohematology and laboratory skills in laboratories of biochemistry, hematology and molecular biological methods.

Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination, Written examination

Lectures in monologue form. Seminars compulsory attendance. As part of the seminar, a presentation on a given topic is prepared. The exam takes the form of a written test with test questions. The condition for successful completion of the course: 1) obtaining at least 60% of the total points from the test, 2) oral exam. Knowledge of the material covered will be tested according to the syllabus.
Recommended literature
  • Hořejší Václav, Bartůňková J. Základy imunologie. Triton: 2017.
  • Chapel Helen. Základy klinické imunologie. 2018.
  • Jílek, Petr. Základy imunologie. Praha: Grada Publishing, 2019.
  • Masopust Jiří, Písačka Martin. Praktická imunohematologie: erytrocyty. Mladá fronta: 2016.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester