Ateneo - UPO

Basic knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms; cellular pathology, innate and adaptive immune system, basic knowledge of oncology, immunopathology, pathophysiology of blood vessels and clotting, metabolic syndrome, type 1 and 2 diabetes

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

learning and understanding 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.

Exam preparatory Biology animal and plant
It is advisable to have already followed the physiology course

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

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request
specific services and tools via the Staff "Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti", consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

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.

MODULE 1: CELLULAR PATHOLOGY Cellular and tissue responses to stress, causes and mechanisms of cell damage, characteristics and mechanisms of different types of cell death (necrosis, apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis), degenerative processes from storage.

MODULE 2: INFLAMMATION AND INNATE IMMUNITY. Pathogen recognition mechanisms: description of the main families of receptors of innate immunity associated with the membrane (receptors for formylated peptides, lectin receptors, scavenger receptors, Toll-like receptors), cytosolic (RIG-like receptors, cytosolic DNA sensors, NOD1/2 receptors, NLRP family) and soluble in biological fluids (collectins, pentraxins, ficolins, complement). The transcription factor NF-κB and type I interferons as key regulators of the inflammatory response and the antiviral state. Cellular components of innate immunity. Epithelial barriers as physical, chemical and biological barriers. Innate immunity cells (natural killer cells, neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages): origin, activation and effector functions. Vascular and cellular events of the acute inflammatory response: mechanisms responsible for changes in blood flow and permeability, adhesion molecules involved in leukocyte recruitment, chemical mediators of inflammation of plasma (complement system, kinins, coagulation) and cellular origin (vasoactive amines, PAF, neuropeptides, nitric oxide, arachidonic acid metabolites, cytokines and chemokines). Morphological types of acute local inflammation (serous, fibrinous, suppurative, ulcers) and systemic inflammation (sepsis, SIRS, septic shock). Outcomes of acute inflammation Chronic granulomatous or nonspecific inflammation. Tissue repair by renewal and healing by scarring. Embryonic and adult stem cells. Liver regeneration. Repair of skin wounds by primary and secondary intention. Abnormalities in tissue repair. Fibrosis

MODULE 3: ACQUIRED IMMUNITY. Dendritic cells: from the innate to the adaptive immune response. Characteristics and phases of acquired immunity: specificity, memory, tolerance. Notes on the functions of lymphocytes. Primary and secondary lymphoid tissues. B lymphocytes: differentiation, activation, maturation. Antibodies: structure, classes, functions. Genes that code for immunoglobulins and mechanisms of generation of variability. Primary and secondary response. T lymphocytes: differentiation, activation and maturation. Notes on innate lymphoid cells. The TCR: structure, signal transduction mechanisms, mechanisms of generation of variability. The major histocompatibility complex of classes I and II: structure and function. HLA genes: polygeny and polymorphism; restriction of the MHC and hint at transplant rejection. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes: function and mechanisms of cytotoxicity. Helper T lymphocytes: functions and determination of the differentiation choice. Intrathymic development: positive and negative selection. Mechanisms of central and peripheral tolerance. Vaccines.

MODULE 4: IMMUNOPATHOLOGY. Congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies. Hypersensitivity reactions of types I, II, III and IV. Autoimmune diseases from autoantibodies and cell-mediated. Tolerance and rejection of organ transplants Mucosal immunity. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, celiac disease. Autoinflammatory diseases. Amyloidosis.

MODULE 5: METABOLIC DISEASES. Pathophysiology of vessels and coagulation Pathogenesis and risk factors of atherosclerosis. Mechanisms of plaque generation and stabilization Complications of atherosclerosis. Diseases of the cardiovascular system. Clinical manifestations Hemorrhagic diseases. Thrombosis: pathogenesis clinical manifestations. Metabolic syndrome. Type 1 and 2 diabetes.

MODULE 6: TUMORS Principles of oncology Definition and classification criteria of tumors Biology of tumor growth Tumor angiogenesis and metastasis Mechanisms of neoplastic transformation: chemical and physical carcinogenesis Oncogenic viruses. Carcinogenesis as a multiphase process Oncogenes: definition and classification; their role in neoplastic transformation Tumor suppressor genes: role in neoplastic transformation and growth control Genes that regulate apoptosis and DNA repair. Genetic instability. Epigenetic events, Tumor immunology, microenvironment, immunoscore, immunotherapy (car-T, oncolytic viruses). Antitumor immunotherapy.

Risultati apprendimento
Apprendimento e comprensione dei meccanismi cellulari e molecolari alla base della patogenesi delle malattie e della terminologia medica usata per descriverli. Capacità di divulgare le conoscenze acquisite con proprietà lessicali specifiche. Applicazione delle conoscenze acquisite per poter 1) comprendere gli effetti terapeutici degli approcci farmacologici oggetto dei successivi corsi di studio, 2) leggere in modo autonomo e critico la letteratura 3) identificare nuovi bersagli terapeutici 4) definire nuovi approcci terapeutici diretti verso specifici bersagli molecolari/cellulari

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 targets