Immune responses

1. Production and function of granulocytes, natural killer cells, and macrophages.

2. Production and function of T lymphocytes, T-lymphocyte receptors.

3. Production and function of B lymphocytes and plasma cells; immunoglobulin and antibodies: structure and biologic properties.

4. Antigenicity and immunogenicity; antigen presentation; cell activation and regulation; tolerance and clonal deletion.

5. Immunologic mediators: chemistry, function, molecular biology, classic and alternative complement pathways, cytokines, chemokines.

6. Immunogenetics; MHC structure and function, class I, II molecules; erythrocyte antigens.

7. Immunizations: vaccines, protective immunity.

8. Alterations in immunologic function.

• T- or B-lymphocyte deficiencies (eg, DiGeorge syndrome).

• Deficiencies of phagocytic cells.

• Combined immunodeficiency disease.

• HIV infection/AIDS and other acquired disorders of immune responsiveness.

• Drug-induced alterations in immune responses, immunopharmacology.

9. Immunologically mediated disorders.

• Hypersensitivity (types I–IV).

• Transplant and transplant rejection.

• Autoimmune disorders.

• Risks of transplantation, transfusion (eg, graft-versus-host disease).

• Isoimmunization, hemolytic disease of the newborn.

• Immunopathogenesis.

10. Immunologic principles underlying diagnostic laboratory tests (eg, ELISA, complement fixation, RIA, agglutination).

11. Innate immunity