Reflection#3: Semester Review - Week 15 (April 23, 2010)

During 2010 spring semester, I could learn a lot of immunology terms and mechanisms. It helped me to understand how my body responds to the foreign invasion and how we could help our body to keep on shaped. I missed many classes and I deeply sorry for myself, my classmates, and my professor. It could be more exciting semester but I could not make it that way. However, I’m still thank to God who always keep me on right track and cure me when I sick.

Investigation#3: Aged Thymus - Week 14 (April 16, 2010)

The aging process affects all aspects of the immune system, particularly the T cells. The immune system in older individuals is often characterized by lower T cell numbers, lower naive/memory T cell ratios, and lower T cell diversity. Most measures of inflammation increase with age. Why this happens, and why there is so much person-to-person variability in these changes, is not known. In this issue oftheJCl, Sauce and colleagues show that removal of the thymus during infancy results in premature onset of many of these age-associated changes to the immune system (see the related article beginning on page 3070). The effect of thymectomy was particularly notable in those individuals who acquired CMV infection. Data from this study, as well as data from other observational settings, suggest that reduced thymic function and persistent viral infections combine to accelerate a decline in immunologic function.

I learned that our immune system can lose their function as we get old. We need to do exercises and get proper nutrition to keep our immune system healthy for long time.

Citation: Gress, Ronald E.; Deeks, Steven G.. Reduced thymus activity and infection prematurely age the immune system. Journal of Clinical Investigation, Oct2009, Vol. 119 Issue 10, p2884-2887.

Encounter#3: Hand Sanitizer vs. Soap and Water - Week 13 (April 9, 2010)

We easily can see ‘Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel’. I usually carry Bath & BodyWorks lemon Pocket anti-bacterial hand gel. It advertises as it is a powerful germ-killing formula and leaves hands feeling clean and virtually germ-free. However, I am curious about actual effectiveness of this product and possibility that it could replace the soap. Therefore, I searched the internet and found out the website as ‘Hand Sanitizer vs. Soap and Water’. The manufacturers of the products test the products on inanimate surfaces hence they are able to derive the claims of 99.9 percent of bacteria killed. If the products were fully tested on hands, there would no doubt be different results. Since there is inherent complexity in the human hand, testing hands would definitely be more difficult. Using surfaces with controlled variables is an easier way to obtain some type of consistency in the results. But as we are all aware, everyday life is not as consistent. In addition, FDA recommends that hand sanitizers not be used in place of soap and water but only as an adjunct.

Hand Sanitizer vs. Soap and Water

Dictionary#3: Syngenic & Congenic - Week 12 (April 2, 2010)

Syngenic: denoting genetically identical individuals

e.g.) syngenic tumor cells, grafts between syngenic mice

Congenic: denoting individuals that differ genetically at a single genetic locus or region

Investigation#2: Anti IgE and IgE-producing B cell - Week 11 (Mar 26, 2010)

The author reflects on the findings of the study by Kerzel and colleagues which investigates the effects of altered antibody repertoire on the outcomes of allergic asthma. He notes that the results of the study indicate the significant role of anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) and IgE-producing B cells in the perpetuation of allergic inflammation. He contends that with this research, new opportunities for other treatment approaches may become apparent

I am curious about allergy response related to IgE. I actually could not fully understand about this primary research article but I can see that the relationship between anti-IgE and B-cell could make alternate medication for allergic asthma.

Citation: Davies, J. M.. Altered immunoglobulin E diversity and regulation of allergic inflammation in asthma. Clinical & Experimental Allergy, Apr2009, Vol. 39 Issue 4, p455-457

Encounter#2: Allergy and Air Purifier - Week 10 (Mar 19, 2010)

Every year, every march, I usually have a pollen allergy. My immunoglobulin E responded to pollen allergy it was showing symptoms like sneezing and itching eyes. I used to take over-the-counter allergy medication such as Zyrtec or Claritin. These allergy medications work for temporarily and I did not cure an allergy. Few days ago, I found out that unfamiliar appliance was standing on the living room. It looked like usual cubic box. It was air purifier called IQAir. Since my mom heard about this air purifier from other church member she bought this for family because my dad has asthma and my mother and I has pollen allergy. It worked very well as it advertised that allergen control, light molecular control, light odor control, and complex air pollution control. I could breathe freely and satisfied. If you have a severe pollen allergy and asthma symptom like my family, I suggest you to clean the air quality of your room by vacuum and air purifier.

Reflections#2: Fatigue and Damaged Immune System - Week 7 (Feb 26, 2010)

I was sick during the ‘snowmageddon’ and exhausted after thousands of snow plowing. Severe fatigue seemed to make me sick and it also gave a lot of damage on my immune system. It seemed like chronic fatigue syndrome and my immune system responded poorly to other infections. Because of those, I could not go to school for a week and it also ruined my normal life rhythm.

Investigation#1: Smallpox is possible Bioterror weapon - Week 6 (Feb 19, 2010)

Recent world events have increased concern and preparations for possible bio-terror events. Despite worldwide efforts to limit access to bio-weapons, smallpox is still considered a potential bio-terror threat. Americans' understanding of smallpox could prevent panic and enhance the willingness of citizens to receive vaccinations. Objective: The authors' purpose in this study was to describe graduating college students' levels of smallpox-related knowledge. Method summary: Participants at a graduation ceremony--mostly female, with a mean age of 28.4 ± 8.1 years--were handed a 35-item questionnaire that assessed smallpox knowledge and whether respondents would submit to vaccination under hypothetical circumstances. Results: The convenience sample was ignorant of numerous facts about smallpox and unaware of government efforts to prepare for an attack, answering an average of 3.8 out of 10 items correctly. Conclusion: These findings raise concern because, in a smallpox event, prompt responses to directives of public health officials will be necessary to maximize the effectiveness of response plans.

I was curious about smallpox during work on the class project and found this article from library database. I thought it was deadly disease in old days and not anymore for these days. I just surprised by this could be popular bio-terror weapon.

Citation: Bungum, Timothy; Day, Charlene. Smallpox-Related Knowledge and Beliefs Among Recent College Graduates. Journal of American College Health, Nov/Dec2006, Vol. 55 Issue 3, p181-183.

Encounter#1: Do not take Energy Drink or Coffee - Week 5(Feb 12, 2010)

I recently searched youtube.com and found out the commercial about the energy drink. Energy drink company tried to convince that their drink have a lot of good features like vitamins, herbs, ginseng, and other beneficial ingredients help our body deal with effects of stress and support our immune system. However, I do not think that this kind of energy drink can be a good product to support our immune system because it actually ruined my life pattern by a lot of caffeine and eventually ruined my immune system. I suggest that do not take any coffee or energy drink to keep you up for whole night. I will eventually damage your immune system.

Dictionary#2: Hapten & Epitope

Hapten – A low-molecular-weight molecule that can be made immunogenic by conjugation to a suitable carrier.

How Haptens Work (Flash Animation)

Haptens are antigenic but incapable by themselves of inducing a specific immune response. In other words, they lack immunogenicity. A hapten is a small molecule that can elicit an immune response only when attached to a large carrier such as a protein; the carrier may be one that also does not elicit an immune response by itself. (In general, only large molecules, infectious agents, or insoluble foreign matter can elicit an immune response in the body.) Once the body has generated antibodies to a hapten-carrier adduct, the small-molecule hapten may also be able to bind to the antibody, but it will usually not initiate an immune response; usually only the hapten-carrier adduct can do this. Sometimes the small-molecule hapten can even block immune response to the hapten-carrier adduct by preventing the adduct from binding to the antibody.

Epitope – The portion of an antigen that is recognized and bound by an antibody or TCR-MHC combination; also called antigenic determinant.

An epitope, also known as antigenic determinant, is the part of a macromolecule that is recognized by the immune system, specifically by antibodies, B cells, or T cells. The part of an antibody that recognizes the epitope is called a paratope. Although epitopes are usually thought to be derived from nonself proteins, sequences derived from the host that can be recognized are also classified as epitopes. Most epitopes recognized by antibodies or B cells can be thought of as three-dimensional surface features of an antigen molecule; these features fit precisely and thus bind to antibodies. Exceptions are linear epitopes, which are determined by the amino acid sequence (the primary structure) rather than by the 3D shape (tertiary structure) of a protein. T cell epitopes are presented on the surface of an antigen-presenting cell, where they are bound to MHC molecules. T cell epitopes presented by MHC class I molecules are typically peptides between 8 and 11 amino acids in length, whereas MHC class II molecules present longer peptides, and non-classical MHC molecules also present non-peptidic epitopes such as glycolipids.

Reflections#1: Study of Immunology Class

It is already been almost 3 weeks from the beginning of the spring 2010 semester. Immunology class is the most fun class so far. It is very small class but I am having fun and want to learn more and more about the Immunology. Of course that it is Dr. V's class and there are a lot of assignments to work on; however all assignments are valuable whether it is short or long and it makes me understand better. I am a visual learner and I make copies of image I saw and learned to save to the brain. There are tons of images in this class and it is little difficult to keep up with; however I am trying not to miss anything. Subjects of Immunology give me to think about my childhood. I was kind of clumsy boy and I fell down to the ground surface a lot when I was walking and running. Of course I had a lot of small wounds and scars all over the legs. I was always curious about the healing process of my wounds. How my body clogs the blood in the wounded area so quickly? How my body components fight with infections? How my body regenerate the skin? Etc... I am learning about these kind of questions and already solved from the Immunology class but I want to learn more deeply about our immune system for this semester.

Dictionary#1: Opsonin & Mast Cell

Opsonin - A substance (e.g., immunoglobulins, complement) that promotes the phagocytosis of antigens by binding to them.
The macrophage membrane has receptors for certain classes of antibody. If an antigen is coated with the appropriate antibody, the complex of antigen and antibody binds to antibody receptors on the macrophage membrane more readily than antigen alone and phagocytosis is enhanced. Thus antibody functions as an opsonin, a molecule that binds to both antigen and phagocyte, thereby enhancing phagocytosis. The process by which opsonins render particulate antigens more susceptible to phagocytosis is called opsonization.

Mast Cell - A bone-marrow-derived cell present in a variety of tissues that resembles peripheral blood basophils, bears Fc receptors for IgE, and undergoes IgE-mediated degranulation.Mast cell precursors, which are formed in the bone marrow by hematopoiesis, are released into the blood as undifferentiated cells; they do not differentiate until they leave the blood and enter the tissues. Mast cells can be found in a wide variety of tissues, including the skin, connective tissues of various organs, and mucosal epithelial tissue of the respiratory, genitourinary, and digestive tracts. Like circulating basophils, these cells have large numbers of cytoplasmic granules that contain histamine and other pharmacologically active substances. Tissue mast cells are related to but distinct from, basophils. Mast cells play an important role in the development of allergies. Mast cells increased numbers during allergies.

References: Kuby Immunology 6th Edition. Pictures are directly linked to websites.

Personal Feedback: I confused these two words, opsonin and mast cell; therefore I wanted to study little more and make sure I really know about these words of Immunology.

Written by D.J. Kim