Blood, Immune System

Abstract

This course will focus on the components and functions of the hematopoietic and the immune systems and on diseases affecting or caused by these systems.

Objective

1. The organization and development of hematopoiesis including hematopoietic stem cell development; the role of hematopoietic growth and transcription factors in hematopoiesis; the role of hemoglobin in health and disease; erythrocyte physiology and iron metabolism; the principles of blood groups and blood transfusions; the principles of coagulation and the pharmacology of coagulation; the role of platelets and pharmacological platelet inhibition; to define thrombophilia and to understand thrombotic events; the role of leukocytes in health and disease; the analysis of blood samples; the principles of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. 2. The development of the immune system; the structure and function of primary and secondary lymphoid organs; the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the innate and adaptive immune systems; the effector mechanisms of immune responses against pathogens; basic concepts of immune-mediated diseases (allergy and autoimmunity), tumor immunology, immunodeficiency, organ transplantation; basic knowledge of therapies.

Content

1. Introduction to hematopoiesis, hematopoietic growth factors, hematopoietic transcription factors, erythrocyte physiology, blood groups, blood transfusion, iron metabolism, platelets, coagulation cascade, fibrinolysis, hemoglobin, hemoglobinopathies, leukocytes (granulocytes, monocytes), clinical presentation of neutropenia, pharmacology of hemostasis, clinical presentation of thrombophilia, basics of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, some aspects of laboratory medicine in hematology, virtual microscopy of blood and bone marrow smears. 2. Structure and anatomical position of primary and secondary lymphoid organs, cells and molecules of the innate immune system, T and B cell development and receptor diversity, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and antigen presentation, effector B cells and antibodies, effector T cells, regulatory T cells and cytokines, allergy and hypersensitivities, autoimmunity and anti-inflammatory drugs, transplantation and immunosuppressive drugs, immunodeficiency, immune response in cancer and immunotherapies.

Resources