Immunology Course

Lesson 1 • Cells of the Immune System

Covers the major leukocyte lineages, their origins, and primary functions. Provides cellular vocabulary essential for understanding immune responses.

Lesson 2 • Overview of Host Defense Mechanisms

Introduces the biological rationale for immunity and the layered defense strategy. Sets the conceptual baseline for all subsequent immunological study.

Lesson 3 • Primary and Secondary Lymphoid Organs

Describes where immune cells develop and where responses are initiated. Links organ anatomy to functional immune outcomes.

Lesson 1 • Pattern Recognition and Danger Signals

Covers pathogen-associated and damage-associated molecular patterns and their receptors. Explains how the innate system detects threats without prior exposure.

Lesson 2 • Phagocytosis and Innate Effector Functions

Details how macrophages and neutrophils engulf and destroy pathogens. Connects cellular mechanics to downstream inflammatory outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Cytokines and Inflammatory Mediators

Surveys key pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and their signaling cascades. Provides the molecular language needed for advanced immunology topics.

Lesson 4 • Complement System

Explains the three activation pathways and their convergent effector functions. Demonstrates how complement bridges innate and adaptive immunity.

Lesson 1 • Endogenous Antigen Processing Pathway

Traces intracellular protein degradation and peptide loading onto MHC class I. Links proteasomal processing to cytotoxic T cell activation.

Lesson 2 • Antigen Structure and Immunogenicity

Defines antigens, epitopes, and the factors that determine immunogenicity. Establishes the molecular basis for immune recognition.

Lesson 3 • Professional Antigen-Presenting Cells

Compares dendritic cells, macrophages, and B cells as antigen presenters. Emphasizes dendritic cell maturation and migration to lymph nodes.

Lesson 4 • Exogenous Antigen Processing Pathway

Describes lysosomal degradation and peptide loading onto MHC class II. Connects this pathway to helper T cell activation and humoral immunity.

Lesson 1 • CD8 Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes

Describes CTL activation, effector mechanisms, and target cell killing. Connects CTL biology to antiviral and antitumor immunity.

Lesson 2 • T Cell Receptor Structure and Signaling

Details TCR-CD3 complex architecture and the proximal signaling cascade. Provides the molecular basis for understanding T cell activation thresholds.

Lesson 3 • Two-Signal Model of T Cell Activation

Explains antigen-specific signal 1 and costimulatory signal 2 requirements. Connects signal integration to productive activation vs. anergy.

Lesson 4 • CD4 T Helper Cell Subsets

Surveys Th1, Th2, Th17, Tfh, and Treg lineages and their cytokine profiles. Links each subset to specific immune defense contexts and pathologies.

Lesson 1 • Immunological Memory in Humoral Immunity

Explains long-lived plasma cells, memory B cells, and the secondary antibody response. Provides the immunological basis for vaccine-induced protection.

Lesson 2 • Germinal Center Reactions

Details somatic hypermutation, affinity maturation, and class-switch recombination. Explains how germinal centers generate high-affinity, isotype-switched antibodies.

Lesson 3 • B Cell Activation Pathways

Contrasts T-dependent and T-independent antigen responses and their outcomes. Explains BCR signaling and the role of CD40-CD40L interaction.

Lesson 4 • B Cell Development and Selection

Traces B cell maturation from pro-B to mature naive B cell in the bone marrow. Covers central tolerance checkpoints that eliminate autoreactive clones.

Lesson 1 • Immunosuppressive Therapies for Autoimmunity

Surveys broad and targeted immunosuppressive strategies used in autoimmune management. Connects mechanistic understanding to therapeutic rationale.

Lesson 2 • Central Tolerance Mechanisms

Covers clonal deletion and receptor editing in thymus and bone marrow. Establishes the first line of defense against self-reactive lymphocytes.

Lesson 3 • Mechanisms of Autoimmune Disease

Analyzes molecular mimicry, bystander activation, and epitope spreading as triggers. Links tolerance failure to organ-specific and systemic autoimmunity.

Lesson 4 • Representative Autoimmune Diseases

Examines pathophysiology of selected organ-specific and systemic autoimmune conditions. Applies tolerance concepts to real clinical scenarios.

Lesson 1 • Type II Antibody-Mediated Cytotoxicity

Explains how IgG and IgM target cell-surface antigens for destruction. Applies mechanisms to transfusion reactions and autoimmune cytopenias.

Lesson 2 • Diagnosis and Management of Hypersensitivity

Surveys diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches across hypersensitivity types. Integrates mechanistic knowledge into clinical decision-making frameworks.

Lesson 3 • Type I Immediate Hypersensitivity

Details IgE-mediated mast cell and basophil degranulation and its clinical spectrum. Connects sensitization and elicitation phases to allergic disease.

Lesson 4 • Type IV Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity

Describes T cell-mediated tissue damage occurring 24–72 hours after antigen exposure. Connects DTH to contact dermatitis, tuberculin testing, and granuloma formation.

Lesson 1 • Adoptive Cell Therapies

Describes TIL therapy, TCR-engineered T cells, and CAR-T cell technology. Evaluates clinical applications and current limitations of cell-based immunotherapy.

Lesson 2 • Cancer Vaccines and Combination Strategies

Surveys prophylactic and therapeutic cancer vaccine platforms and adjuvant strategies. Explores synergy between vaccines, checkpoint inhibitors, and conventional therapy.

Lesson 3 • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Covers anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, and anti-CTLA-4 therapies and their mechanisms. Connects checkpoint blockade to restored antitumor T cell function.

Lesson 4 • Cancer Immunosurveillance

Explains the immunoediting hypothesis and the role of innate and adaptive cells in tumor control. Establishes the conceptual basis for cancer immunotherapy.