Immunology · USMLE Step 1

USMLE Immunology

Innate and adaptive immune cells, cytokines, hypersensitivity types, and classic immunodeficiencies.

40 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.

Study this set free Get FlashKeepers for iPhone
Primary function of neutrophils in innate immunity
Acute inflammatory response, phagocytosis, and killing of pathogens via ROS and granule contents
Role of macrophages in innate immunity
Phagocytosis of pathogens, antigen presentation, secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines
Primary function of dendritic cells
Antigen capture and presentation to T cells, bridge between innate and adaptive immunity
How do natural killer cells recognize target cells
Detection of missing MHC class I on target cell surface (signal of infection or malignancy)
Functions of the complement cascade
Opsonization (C3b), inflammation (C3a/C5a), and pathogen lysis via membrane attack complex
Primary role of mast cells in immune response
Rapid histamine release in immediate hypersensitivity upon IgE cross-linking
Primary function of CD4+ T helper cells
Coordinate immune response by secreting cytokines, activate B cells and macrophages
Mechanism by which CD8+ cytotoxic T cells kill infected cells
Release perforin and granzymes, inducing apoptosis of target cell
Function of regulatory T cells (Tregs)
Suppress immune response via IL-10 and TGF-beta, maintain self-tolerance
Sequence of B cell differentiation upon antigen encounter
Activation and proliferation, then into plasma cells (effector) or memory B cells
How do memory B cells provide long-term immunity
Persist for years, rapidly differentiate into plasma cells upon re-exposure to antigen
Cytokines produced by Th1 cells
IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-2 (cell-mediated immunity, intracellular pathogens)
Cytokines produced by Th2 cells
IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13 (humoral immunity, extracellular parasites)
Source and primary function of IL-2
Produced by activated T cells, promotes T cell proliferation and differentiation
Source and primary effect of TNF-alpha
Produced by activated macrophages and T cells, induces inflammation and fever

25 more cards in the app