EXAM QUESTIONS FROM IMMUNOLOGY

IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2007/2008

DENTISTRY
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A. Basic immunology I
1. Milestones of immunology − the most renown personalities who contributed to the
development of immunology.
2. Immunity and its forms: innate and acquired, active and passive.
3. An overview of the structure and function of the immune system and its
significance for living organisms.
4. An overview of mechanisms of innate and acquired immunity.
5. Primary and secondary lymphoid organs ant their function. Cells of the immune system
and their function.
6. Cellular and molecular basis of phagocytosis.
7. Mechanisms of killing of engulfed bacteria in phagocytes.
8. Acute phase proteins and their relevance for immune defence mechanisms.
9. Inflammation −a survey of cells participating in inflammatory reactions and their
function.
10. Pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and pattern recognition receptors
(PRRs).
11. The basic characteristics of an antigen. Carrier, epitope, hapten.
12. Ways of immunisation, inducible and productive phases of antibody formation,
primary and secondary immune responses, antibody affinity and avidity.
13. B-lymphocytes, their characteristics and function.
14. The basic structures of immunoglobulin molecules. Isotypes, allotypes, and idiotypes.
15. The functions of individual classes of immunoglobulins. Conventional and monoclonal
antibodies.
16. The mucous immune system (MALT, GALT, BALT, IgA, sIgA).
17. The classical and lectin pathways of the complement activation.
18. The alternative pathway of complement activation.
19. Regulatory proteins and receptors of the complement system. Biological significance
of the complement system.
20. The defence mechanisms in the oral cavity
21. An overview of methods to assess the function of natural immunity.
B. Basic immunology II
1. Principal differentiation antigens of B cells, T cells, and NK cells and their
significance.
2. Adhesive molecules and their biological significance (integrins, selectins, cadherins).
3. Cytokines − basic characteristics, an overview of individual subgroups, the cytokine
network.
4. Cytokines that mediate and regulate innate immunity (Type I and III interferons, IL-
15, IL-12, TNF, IL-1, chemokines).
5. Cytokines that mediate and regulate specific immunity (IL-2, IL-4, TGF-β , IFN-γ ,
LT, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17).
6. Cytokines that stimulate haematopoesis (CSF, c-kit, IL-3, IL-7, IL-9, IL-11).
7. The HLA complex – the biochemical structure, distribution and inheritance of HLA
molecules.
8. The HLA complex – HLA class I and II loci, genes, pseudogenes (both classical and
non classical).
9. Biologic significance of the HLA complex. The HLA-complex and its impact on
medicine.
10. T-lymphocytes and their subpopulations.
11. Exogenous and endogenous pathways of antigen presentation. Superantigens.
12. The phenomenon of MHC restriction during an antigen presentation. Co-stimulatory
signals and biochemical pathways leading to T cell activation.
13. Antigen presentation by CD1 molecules. NKT cells.
14. K, NK, LAK and their biological significance.
15. The ABO and Rh blood groups. The development of isoantibodies.
16. The transfer of antibodies from the mother to her child. The maturation of the immune
system – the immune system of the foetus newborn and in the childhood.
17. The immunologic tolerance. Clonal anergy. Apoptosis.
18. An overview of serological techniques and their principles.
19. An overview of techniques to assess the function of cellular immunity and their
principles
20. An overview of techniques to assess HLA-identity between donor-recipient pairs in
transplantations
C. Immunopathogenic mechanisms and clinical immunology

1. Type I of hypersensitivity reactions: Anaphylaxis.

2. Type I of hypersensitivity reactions: Atopy.
3. Immunologic diagnosis and a treatment of atopic diseases.
4. Eosinophils, basophils, and mast cells in allergy.
5. Type II of hypersensitivity reactions.
6. Type III of hypersensitivity reactions.
7. Serum shock and serum sickness.
8. Type IV of hypersensitivity reactions (Delayed type of hypersensitivity).
9. Type V of hypersensitivity reactions.
10. Transplantation terminology. Mechanisms of allograft rejections (HvG, GvH).
11. General principles of donor − recipient selection for organ and tissue transplantations.
12. Immunopathologic mechanisms leading to autoimmunity.
13. Genetic basis of autoimmunity. Autoimmunity and hormones.
14. Mechanisms of tumour development (physical, chemical, and biological factors).
15. Effector mechanisms in anti-tumour immunity. Mechanisms that enable malignant cells
to escape from the immunologic surveillance.
16. Immunology of a metastatic process. Immunodiagnosis and immunotherapy of
tumours.
17. Immunostimulation and immunosuppression – an overview of current possibilities.
18. Immunodeficiencies − general features, division.
19. Phagocytic dysfunctions. Diseases due to abnormalities of the complement system.
20. Immunodeficiencies associated with antibody-mediated immunity.
21. Immunodeficiencies associated with cell-mediated immunity.
22. AIDS − an interaction of HIV with its target cells and molecules.
23. AIDS − the impact of HIV infection on the immune system.
24. AIDS − immunodiagnostic and therapeutic possibilities. Prevention of AIDS.
25. Immunity to extracellular and intracellular parasitic bacteria.
26. Immunity to viruses and parasites.
27. Active and passive immunisations.
Prof. Milan BUC, MD, DSc
02.04.2008 Head of the department