PHYS30300

The immune system involves a complex network of organs, cells, effector proteins and signalling molecules that work in a carefully coordinated way to protect the body from infection and preserve homeostasis. The first lines of defence against infection are our external and internal barriers (skin and mucosal surfaces). If these barriers are breached a coordinated inflammatory and immune response is required to identify, label, and kill the invading pathogen. A successful immune response requires the elimination of the pathogen however the return to normal physiological function also requires a carefully controlled wound-healing response. This same wound-healing response is important in the context of sterile injury (Eg. broken bone, twisted ankle) where it is triggered at the later stages of the inflammatory response to promote the restoration of tissue function after the clearance of damaged tissue. Dysfunction of the immune system can lead to infectious diseases, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, allergy or cancer.

This module will examine the components of the immune system and the roles of immune cells, antibodies, T-cell receptors and MHC molecules in protecting the host from infection and restoring tissue function after injury. Topics will include mechanisms of innate immunity, barrier function, inflammation, antigen presentation, cell cooperation in the antibody response, cell-mediated toxicity, and regulation of the immune response.