Ateneo - UPO

Basic knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms; cellular pathology, basic knowledge of the innate and adaptive immune system, Immune disorders, Pathophisiology of blood vessels and coagulation, metabolic syndrome, type 1 and 2 diabetes

Robbins: patologia generale (Nona edizione) edizioni EDRA,
-Patologia Generale e fisiopatologia (VI edizione) Pontieri, Piccin editore
-Immunologia cellulare e molecolare (nona edizione) Abbas, Lichtman, Pillai; edizioni Edra

Acquire and understand the etiological bases and pathological mechanisms that drive the development of diseases. Develop critical judgment on the subject, logically linking concepts and knowledge to each other. Combine the ability to learn with the ability to discuss the topics in a clear and fluent manner, using the appropriate terminology. Understanding the molecular targets of drugs in clinic, under investigation or development.

It is advisable to have already followed the course of Biology and the course of physiology

Mainly lectures and seminars. Occasionally, active teaching methods such as classroom research.

The oral exam consists of open questions aimed at assessing the understanding of the subject combined with critical and popular skills. Two exam sessions are set during the months of February, June-July and September

1: CELL PATHOLOGY Cellular and tissue responses to stress, causes and mechanisms of cellular damage, characteristics and mechanisms of the different types of cell death (necrosis, apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis), degenerative processes by macromolecules accumulation

2: INNATE IMMUNITY AND INFLAMMATION
Mechanisms of pathogens' recognition: description of the main receptor families of innate immunity, including plasma membrane receptors (receptors for formylated peptides, lectin receptors, scavenger receptors, Toll-like receptors), cytosolic receptors (RIG-like receptors, cytosolic DNA sensors, NOD1 / 2 receptors, NLRP family) and soluble receptors in biological fluids (collectins, pentraxine, ficolins, complement). Transcription factor NF-κB and type I interferons as key regulators of inflammatory response and anti-viral status.
Cellular components of innate immunity. Epithelial barriers: physical, chemical and biological activities. Cells of Innate immunity (natural killer cells, neutrophils, monocytes / macrophages ): origin, activation and effector functions.
The vascular and cellular events of acute inflammatory responses: the mechanisms underpinning changes in blood flow and permeability, adhesion molecules involved in leukocyte recruitment, inflammatory mediators of plasmatic (complement system, of quinines, of coagulation ) and cellular origin (vasoactive amines, PAF, neuropeptides, nitric oxide, metabolites of arachidonic acid, cytokines and chemokines). Morphological types of acute inflammation at either local (serous, fibrinous, suppurative, ulcer inflammation) or systemic (sepsis, SIRS, septic shock) level. Outcomes of acute inflammation. Chronic granulomatous or non-specific inflammation.
Tissue repair by renewal and by healing. Embryonic and adult stem cells. Hepatic regeneration. Repair of cutaneous wounds for first and second intention. Tissue repair abnormalities. Fibrosis

3: Specific immunity
Dendritic cells: link between innate and adaptive immunity.
Specific Immunity: Specificity, memory and tolearnce
Lymphocyte functions
Primary and secondary lymphoid tissues
B lymphocytes: differentiation, activation and maturation
Antibodies: structure, classes, functions.
Immunoglobulin genes: mechanisms of rearrangement, variability,
Primary and secondary response
T lymphocytes: differentiation, activation and maturation
The TCR: structure, signaling transduction, mechanisms of rearrangement and variability
The major complex of hystocompatibility: class I and class II (structures and functions)
HLA genes: poligenia and polimorphism; MHC restriction and graft rejection
Cytiotoxic T lymphocytes
Helper T lymphocytes
Thymic selection
Peripheral and central tolerance

4: Immunopatology
congenital and acquired immunodeficiency
Hypersensibility reactions types I, II; III and IV
Autoimmune reactions: antibody- and cell-mediated
Tolerance and graft rejection
Mucosal immunity and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)

5: Pathophisiology of vessels and coagulation
Atherosclerosis: pathogenesis and risk factors
atherosclerotic plaques: generation and stabilization
Clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis
Haemorrhagic diseases
Thrombosis: pathogenesis and clinical manifestation
Metabolic syndrome, type 1 and 2 diabetes

Learning and understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of diseases and the medical terminology used to describe them. Ability to disseminate the acquired knowledge by using the specific terminology. Application of the acquired knowledge in order to 1) understand the therapeutic effects of the pharmacological approaches addressed by the subsequent study courses, 2) read the literature in an independent and critical way 3) identify new therapeutic targets 4) design new therapeutic approaches directed towards specific molecular/cellular target