Definitions

Involved with T- Cell Activation 

Clonal anergy- This occurs when the body fails to react to presented antigen. When this occurs, it typically means the immune system is not capable of successfully initiating a response a pathogen, which may be a self- antigen.

Positive Costimulatory receptors- These are molecules that enhance TCR signaling. They induce expression of pro- proliferative cytokine IL-2along with prosurvival bcl-2 family member. For example, CD28 is a positive costimulatory receptor.


Negative Costimulatory receptors- These are molecules that inhibbit TCR signaling. They maintain peripheral T- cell tolerance and reduce inflammation after an infection and during responses to chronic infection.

Encounters: Allergy season

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Spring is in the air! 

Along with pollen and germs..

Now that Spring has arrived many of my friends are suffering from allergies. They have watery eyes, an itchy throat, and struggle controlling their sneezing. Allergies are classified as an abnormal response of the immune system to typically harmless substances such as pollen, bee venom, or pet dander. When a person with allergies detects an allergen the immune system triggers the B cells to begin antibody production to protect and fight off what it believes to be a harmful pathogen. As a result, their body will do a chain of reactions to destroy and get rid of the pseudopathogen. Thankfully for them, there are available medications that they can take to control their allergies. For example, antihistamines and decongestants. Antihistamines block the histamines that are produced as a result of detected allergen, which cause a person to have a runny nose and watery eyes. Decongestants shrink blood vessels and tissues that have been swollen and affected due to allergies. So, while the picture of the cute little girl is what some of my friends are going through this season, the following is how I will be enjoying this lovely season

Reflections: Contagion

    Contagion as a real life situation 

     The movie we watched in lab was exceedingly interesting and a bit frightening because it is highly possible for it to happen. Taking this course helps me understand the importance of vaccines along with the associated pathogens. The movie traced a woman who had been infected with something unknown and its origin was also unknown. This virus was highly transmissible and was sweeping the nation at a rapid rate. To me, this movie illustrated what a virus is capable of doing and how quickly it can be spread. Not only did it stress the medical importance, it also show the social, political, and economic consequences a pandemic can have. 

     At the end of the movie, it revealed how the virus began and how it was initially transmitted. This proves how critically important hygiene and sanitation is. Additionally, it showed how creating a vaccine and identifying the cells it is associated with can be tedious. For this reason, it important to try and prevent the transmission of new viruses. 

http://chargedmagazine.org/2012/08/the-movie-contagion-is-so-realistic-its-boring/