...Dendritic Cells Dendritic cells, also known as professional antigen-presenting cell (APC), are one of the three types of APCs present within the multicellular aggregation of our bodies. They were first discovered in 1973 by Ralph Steinman who was studying spleen cells to understand the induction of immune responses in a major lymphoid organ of a mouse.(1) The importance of their existence lies in their function to orchestrate and stimulate cells within the immune system. Thus, dendritic cells can be purported as the indicative link between the innate and adaptive immune systems and may possibly give rise to future antitumor vaccines.(6) Dendritic cells play a significant role in the innate immune system as they have the ability to interact...
Words: 849 - Pages: 4
...identification of natural killer cell activity Galit Alter, Jessica M. Malenfant, Marcus Altfeld* Partners AIDS Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Division of AIDS, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts, USA Received 17 June 2004; received in revised form 5 August 2004; accepted 10 August 2004 Available online 25 September 2004 Abstract Natural killer (NK) cells are a subset of lymphocytes that play a central role in the innate immune response to tumors and infections. An important limitation in the field of NK research is attributable to the deficit of assays available for the detection of the functional activity of NK cells. Recently, lysosomal-associated membrane protein-1 (LAMP-1 or CD107a) has been described as a marker of CD8+ T-cell degranulation following stimulation. Here we describe CD107a as a marker of NK cell functional activity using multi-parameter flow cytometry. CD107a is significantly upregulated on the surface of NK cells following stimulation with MHC devoid targets. Additionally, CD107a expression correlates with both cytokine secretion and NK cell-mediated lysis of target cells. However, as well as being coordinately expressed on nearly all cytokine secreting cells, CD107a was also expressed on a large subset of NK cells that did not secrete cytokine following stimulation. These data suggest that employing CD107a as a marker of NK cell functional activity may allow for the identification of a large fraction of activated NK cells that may degranulate...
Words: 4139 - Pages: 17
...Late Adulthood and the End of Life Marcia Fortson PSY 375 May 29, 2012 Judith Sugg, Ph.D. Late Adulthood and the End of Life Senescence is part of the aging process starting from adolescence. People go through various aging periods in life that will eventually lead to the late adulthood stage or old age. This is a natural stage where a person will reminisce and reflect on the various struggles they went through and accomplishments they made. The late adulthood stage is a period where reflection on the choices that were made within one’s life while growing up, whether they were good or bad, happy or sad are remembered. The different views and issues that a person will experience within the late adulthood stage will be discussed below. How Can Individuals Promote Health and Wellness into Late Adulthood and Mitigate the Negative Effects of Aging? To promote health and wellness within the late adulthood stage a person needs to get the proper rest because sleep is important for the brain and body to function properly. A senior will us selective optimization with compensation when and if they are capable of driving themselves places. It is important for seniors to take care of their nutrition and stay at a healthy stable weight. In this stage of life, fewer calories are needed but it is important for them to eat a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables including complex carbohydrates like grains and cereals (Berger, 2008). To help seniors maintain an active memory they...
Words: 1063 - Pages: 5
...Kiecolt-Glaser et al. (1984) conducted a natural experiment on medical students that investigated whether the short-term stressor of approaching exams had an effect on the immune system functioning. They took blood samples of the 75 participants one month before their final exams and then again on the first day of exams. The blood samples were then analysed for leucocyte activity of the natural killer cell. Questionnaires were also given to establish the students’ psychiatric mind set and their life events. They found that the natural killer cell activity decreased in the second blood sample, compared with the first. Furthermore, immune response was particularly low for those who scored highly in the loneliness, psychiatric symptoms and stressful life events symptoms. They concluded that stress is associated with reduced immune system function. Another piece of research was conducted by Kiecolt-Glaser et al. (2005) but this time investigated long-term, chronic stress. They tested the impact of interpersonal conflict on wound healing. They found that blister wounds on the arms of married couples healed more slowly after the couples had had discussions which were conflicting rather than supportive. A key strength of Kiecolt-Glaser’s short-term stress study is that it contained stressors that were naturally occurring, which increases validity because it creates more mundane realism as the stressors, IV and DV weren’t artificially induced. Furthermore, another strength is that...
Words: 528 - Pages: 3
...There has been a lot of research that suggests that the immune system can be severely affected by stress. Kiecolt-Glaser did an experiment to evaluate the effect of acute stressors on the immune system. She had a group of students who were about to have their medical exams. She took the blood sample one month before the exams and another during the exam period. She measured the NK cell activity to see how the immune system was effected and found that the NK cell activity had dropped significantly in the second blood sample that had been taken shows that stress had caused to lower the efficiency of the immune system and made the students were vulnerable to stress-related illnesses. Also Marucha et al. conducted a study involving a group of students. Marucha inflicted a punch-biopsy 3 days before an exam and found that the wound took 40% longer to heal when the wound was inflicted during the exam period. Also if a acute stressors could have such a negative impact on the immune system on chronic stressors where also suspected to have a similar effect. Kiecolt-Glaser conducted a study where a group of married couples were asked to have discussions about their marriage and also of the couples had blisters on their arms. It was found that the groups of couples that had very supportive discussions showed the wound healing process to be much faster in comparison to the people who had an argumentative discussion. Also another researcher observed 90 newly wedded couples for a 24 hours...
Words: 424 - Pages: 2
...Essay on Quentin Tarantino & His American Dream Quentin Tarantino exemplifies the American Dream because he has achieved and maintained material success through his passion of directing, writing, and acting in films. Many people desire to live the American Dream. This involves gaining and maintaining of material success through ones passion. Quentin Tarantino exemplifies the American Dream because he has achieved and maintained material success through his passion of directing, writing, and acting in films. Quentin Tarantino had an unusual childhood. He was born in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1963 to Tony and Connie Tarantino. Their marriage was just for Connie to get away from her family and they divorced before Quentin was born (Wild 3). After the divorce his mother took him to California when he was two years old, here he grew up in the Southbay area (Wild 3). Quentin frequented the movies and his mom exposed him to many films, many of which were restricted (Dawson 19). In school Quentin was recognized as very bright, he scored over 150 on IQ tests, yet he hated school ("Tarantino, Quentin" 559). As a result of his hatred of school, he soon became a truant and his mother decided it would be better for him not to go and she know where he is, rather than he not go and her not know where he was, so she allowed him to drop out when he was sixteen years old and still in the ninth grade (Dawson 22). Still a child, Tarantino entered the work force. After Quentin dropped out of...
Words: 543 - Pages: 3
...Mice and humans are very similar when it comes to CD1d; structurally and physically with lipid bindings (Gumperz 2006). Natural killer T cells restrict CD1d and are activated by lipid antigens, playing a large role in immune response. These NK T cells recognize alpha-linked glycosphingo-lipids (alpha-GSLs) that are presented by CD1d molecules by using their T cell receptors (Gumperz 2006). The relationship between NK T cells and CD1d is incredibly important when it comes to self-lipid acquisition and the similarities and differences between mice and humans is portrayed. T cells and Natural Killer Cells are key when it comes to immunity and they can decipher whether a cell is healthy or has an infection (Gumperz 2006). The...
Words: 551 - Pages: 3
...The gland is walnut sized and is located below the bladder in front of the rectum in males. The prostate also surrounds the urethra, the tube that encloses urine. The function of the prostate gland is to produce semen, thus carrying the male’s sperm (Sieve and Vonne, 2015). While prostate cancer typically begins in the prostate, it can spread anywhere in the body. Metastasis occurs when prostate tumor cells break away and travel through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to the other areas of the body. Prostate cancer is commonly metastasized in the lymph nodes, bones, lungs, liver, and the brain. Rarely do prostate cancer tumor cells travel to the adrenal glands, eyes, kidneys, or the spleen (Erik Castle MD,...
Words: 1106 - Pages: 5
...bronchomediastinal trunk 2. Which structure is highlighted? [pic] A. stomach B. spleen C. pancreas D. liver E. thymus 3. Which structure is highlighted? [pic] A. uvula B. palatine tonsil C. pharyngeal tonsil D. lingual tonsil E. thymus 4. Which structure is highlighted? [pic] A. thoracic nodes B. iliac nodes C. cervical nodes D. axillary nodes E. mediastinal nodes 5. Which structure is highlighted? [pic] A. thoracic nodes B. inguinal nodes C. cervical nodes D. cysterna chyli E. mediastinal nodes 6. Which cell type transforms into plasma cells under the influence of cytokines? A. T-Helper cells B. Antigen presenting cells C. Cytotoxic T-cells D. B-cells 7. What cell type is stimulated by Helper T-cells? A. B-cell B. Antigen presenting cell C. Cytotoxic T-cell D. Macrophage 8. Lymph is similar to blood plasma, but very low in A. protein. B. carbon dioxide. C. metabolic waste. D. electrolytes. E. sodium and potassium. 9. _____________ are the largest of the lymphatic vessels and they empty into the _______________. A. Lymphatic trunks; collecting ducts B. Lymphatic trunks; subclavian arteries C. Lymphatic trunks; subclavian veins D. Collecting ducts; subclavian veins E. Collecting ducts; subclavian arteries 10. This organ shows a remarkable degree of degeneration (involution) with age. A. lymph node B. thymus ...
Words: 917 - Pages: 4
...Blood De’Ana Pierce AP2630 The significance of a lower than normal hematocrit indicates the percentage of total red blood cells is below the lower limits of normal for that person’s age, sex, or specific condition. The cause can be anemia which is a lower than normal number of red blood cells. Other factors that can cause lower than normal hematocrit is bleeding, destruction of a red blood cells, leukemia, malnutrition, and over hydration. (Medline Plus Anemia, 2013). The effect of a bacterial infection on the hematocrit means the white blood cell count is elevated. Above normal white blood cells indicates an infection. Comparison of the development of lymphocytes with the development of the other formed elements. The process of development is called hemopoiesis and it occurs mainly in red bone marrow after birth. Red bone marrow cells contain pluripotent stem cells that have the ability to develop into many different types of cells. Myeloid stem cells begin and complete their development in red bone marrow and turn into red blood cells, platelets, mast cells, eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils, and monocytes. Lymphoid stem cells begin their development in red bone marrow but are completed in lymphatic tissues, where they rise to lymphocytes and natural killer cells. (Jenkins, Kemnitz, Tortora, 2013). Erythropoiesis is the production of red blood cell formation. It speeds up when oxygen is delivered to the kidney and other tissues. It slows down when there is a decrease in...
Words: 783 - Pages: 4
...Tell me about Blood Assignment GE259 Tell Me About Blood 1) A hematocrit is a blood test that measures the percentage of red blood cells in the total volume of whole blood. So a lower than normal hematocrit would mean that you have a lower than normal RBC’s (red blood cell) count for your age, sex, or condition. This signifies that you could have anemia, internal bleeding, or something is destroying your RBC’s, or your body is not producing them at an appropriate rate. The effect of a bacterial infection on a hematocrit would be that you would have a lower RBC count because you will have a higher WBC’s (white blood cell) count to combat the bacterial infection. 2) Leukocytes are produced and stored in different locations like the thymus, spleen, and bone marrow. There are two kinds of lymphocytes B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes (killer T cells). Lymphocytes start out in the bone marrow and either stay there to mature into B cells, or they leave for the thymus gland, where they mature into T cells. Formed elements, such as blood is a mixture of plasma and other substances which are developed through erythrocytes. Platelets are formed by the fragmentation of megakaryocytes. 3) Erythropoiesis is the production of RBC’s. This begins in the red bone marrow and starts off as a proerythroblast. The proerythroblast then divides several times until it reaches the end of development and ejects the nucleus. After that it is called a reticulocyte. The reticulocyte...
Words: 761 - Pages: 4
..."SHARE THIS INFORMATION FIRST AND READ AFTERWARDS.....SAVE LIFE Share this as much as you can. "10000 times stronger killer of CANCER than Chemo".. do share it.. can save many lives, fill up hopes and build confidence in the patients... The Sour Sop or the fruit from the graviola tree is a miraculous natural cancer cell killer 10,000 times stronger than Chemo. Why are we not aware of this? Its because some big corporation want to make back their money spent on years of research by trying to make a synthetic version of it for sale. So, since you know it now you can help a friend in need by letting him know or just drink some sour sop juice yourself as prevention from time to time. The taste is not bad after all. It’s completely natural and definitely has no side effects. If you have the space, plant one in your garden. The other parts of the tree are also useful. The next time you have a fruit juice, ask for a sour sop. How many people died in vain while this billion-dollar drug maker concealed the secret of the miraculous Graviola tree? This tree is low and is called graviola ! in Brazi l, guanabana in Spanish and has the uninspiring name “soursop” in English. The fruit is very large and the subacid sweet white pulp is eaten out of hand or, more commonly, used to make fruit drinks, sherbets and such. The principal interest in this plant is because of its strong anti-cancer effects. Although it is effective for a number of medical conditions, it is its...
Words: 1185 - Pages: 5
...YourFirstName YourLastName Instructor's Name Course Title 16 December 2015 Lymphatic And Immune System The Lymphatic System Anatomy The lymphatic system is closely related to the cardiovascular system. It is composed of lymphatic vessels, lymphoid tissues and organs, and lymph. The lymphatic vessels are composed of capillaries, collecting vessels, and trunks (Klein, 2010). Lymphatic capillaries drain into the collecting ducts that drain into the trunks. The trunks drain into the subclavian veins. Lymphatic organs in the body include lymph nodes, thymus gland, the spleen, tonsils, lymphatic vessels, and Peyer' patches in the small intestines. In comparison to blood vessels, lymphatic vessels have all the three tunics found on blood vessels. However, large vessels have a vasa vasorum layer in addition to the three tunics found in other vessels. Like blood vessels, lymphatic vessels have many valves (that prevent back flow) and anastomoses. They are characteristically larger than blood vessels and on their walls are overlapping flaps that allow large proteins to get into circulation. Lymph nodes, are present along the lymphatic vessels and range in size from the size of a pin head to that of a lima bean. Examples of lymph nodes include the popliteal lymph nodes, the inguinal lymph node, the cubital, axillary, and cervical lymph nodes as shown in figure one below. Lymph nodes or glands mostly occur in clusters and drain various parts of the...
Words: 3214 - Pages: 13
...Jobs of immune system • Recognize, attack, and destroy pathogens o Viruses, bacteria o Fungi, protozoa, multicellular parasites • Recognize foreign tissues, e.g., blood, transplants • Recognize and remove abnormal cells, e.g., cancer • Remove dead or damaged native tissue after disease or injury Various ways of responding to pathogens Two types of immune response • Innate – non-specific o Present from birth o Similar response independent of pathogen or foreign agent o Involves some but not all types of leukocytes o Does not rely on specific antibodies o Does rely on inflammatory response and recognition molecules • Acquired – specific o Adaptive and specific to pathogen o Develops during 1st exposure to antigen o Response to 2nd exposure is much quicker and more effective o T and B lymphocytes systems are key • Both rely on leukocytes – a small fraction of the blood Important molecules associated with inflammation • Histamine: in granules in granulocytes; mast cells o Vasodilator, bronchoconstrictor, increases vascular permeability • Bradykinin: formed from kinins (i.e., inactive plasma proteins) in blood o Vasodilator; causes pain • Eicosanoids o Prostaglandins, thromboxanes act on smooth muscle, other tissues o Leukotrienes: smooth muscle constriction (asthma) • Interleukins: cytokines that stimulate acute phase proteins, cause fever, increasing permeability (some anti-inflammatory) • Release of eicosanoids (paracrines) causes pain, fever...
Words: 1292 - Pages: 6
...Mucous Membranes – Prevent/slow entry 1. Skin Closely-packed keratinized cells w/tight junctions + desmosomes; sloughing of outer layer 2. Mucous membranes - Line openings to the exterior (respiratory, digestive, urinary, reproductive tracts) Mucus = sticky entrapment Tight junctions in epithelial tissue 3. Underlying connective tissue (dermis, lamina propria) Viscous to slow movement 4. Hair Protect from abrasion (scalp); filter air (nasal) 5. Acidity Skin – sebum; Stomach – HCl (pH 2); vaginal and urinary secretions 6. Lysozyme – Destroys cell walls of some bacteria Sweat, tears, saliva, nasal secretions 7. Other antimicrobials – defensins, dermacidin, IgA 8. Expel microorganisms Sweat, tears, urine flow, vaginal secretions, saliva Coughing, sneezing, vomiting, defecation Cilia of upper respiratory tract - propels mucus away from lungs Internal Defenses – Prevent spread 1. Phagocytosis - Macrophages, Neutrophils, Microglial cells (CNS), Kupffer cells (liver) 2. Natural killer cells (in blood + lymph) Cell lysis of cells without proper self cell markers (tumor cells, virus-infected cells) 3. Antimicrobial proteins a. Interferon - Proteins made by viral-infected cells Virus - needs host cell machinery to replicate; takes over host to make more viruses Prevents virus from multiplying in other infected cells (Can also activate macrophages and NK cells) b. Antimicrobial Proteins: Complement - group of ~20 proteins and factors...
Words: 409 - Pages: 2
