EMIM0811p Immunology for Embryologists - lecture

Faculty of Medicine
spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. MUDr. Jiří Litzman, CSc. (lecturer)
Miroslava Bučková (assistant)
Guaranteed by
prof. MUDr. Jiří Litzman, CSc.
Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology – Institutions shared with St. Anne's Faculty Hospital – Faculty of Medicine
Supplier department: Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology – Institutions shared with St. Anne's Faculty Hospital – Faculty of Medicine
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course covers basic aspects of the structure and function of the immune system in humans. Topics include mechanisms of non- specific immunity with main emphasis on the inflammatory process, such as humoral and cellular branches of the specific immune response. It includes mainly mechanisms of activation of the immune response and its regulation. Special emphasis is given to mucosal immunity and immune response to microbes and immunoprophylaxis to infectious diseases. The course will also focus on mechanisms of immune tolerance and their significance in the process of fertilisation and pregnancy. Immunopathological mechanisms of the urogenital tract will be discussed. The emphasis will be given on mechanisms of disturbed fertility. Also immunological laboratory methods will be discussed, mainly those used in investigation of patients with disturbed fertility.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course the student will be able to: • Understand the basic mechanisms of functioning of the immune system both in the component of innate and adaptive immunity. • Understand the importance of the immune system in the defense against infectious agents. • Know the compartmentalization of the immune system with an emphasis on the mucosal immune system. • Get acquainted with the most important mechanisms leading to immunopathological diseases. • Become familiar with the importance of immune tolerance in the onset and maintenance of pregnancy. • Familiarize with immunological mechanisms leading to infertility. • Understand the basic immunological tests, especially those focused on fertility disorders.
Syllabus
  • Immunology and medicine.
  • Physiology and pathology of immunity.
  • Immunological concept of "own", "foreign", "harmful".
  • Antigen.
  • Anatomy of the immune system.
  • The cellular base of the immune system.
  • Central and peripheral lymphoid organs.
  • Inborn immunity.
  • Complement system.
  • Phagocytic system.
  • Inflammation.
  • NK cells.
  • Cytokines.
  • The major histocompatibility complex and its role in immune reactivity.
  • Presentation of antigens.
  • Specific immune response.
  • Lymphocytes B and antibody production, biological properties of immunoglobulins.
  • Lymphocytes T, cytotoxicity, lymphokines. Polarization of T lymphocytes (Th1, Th2, Th17).
  • Regulation of the immune reactions. Influence of immunity by external stimuli.
  • Immunosuppression. Immunostimulation.
  • Compartmentalization of immune reactivity. Common mucosal immune system.
  • Anti-infectious immunity. Vaccines and vaccination.
  • Immune tolerance mechanisms.
  • Immunology of fertilization and pregnancy.
  • The most common immunopathological diseases in the urogenital system.
  • Immunological causes of fertility disorders.
  • Immune system examination options.
  • Basic laboratory immunological methodologies.
  • The most important laboratory methods used in fertility disorders.
  • Treatment options for fertility disorders
Teaching methods
Lecture
Assessment methods
Exam
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 15.
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/med/spring2025/EMIM0811p