Ateneo - UPO

The course provides an introduction to immunology and to the immunological responses in various tissues and organs transplantation. Concepts on the procedures of hematopoietic stem cell and kidney transplantation are provided as well.
The course provides an introduction to biomaterial biocompatibility and their application as implantable or drug delivering platform, even when at nanosized.

Slides presentations, research and review papers.
Text: Edward J. Benz, Helen Heslop, Jeffrey Weitz, John Anastasi, Leslie E. Silberstein, Ronald Hoffman. HEMATOLOGY. BASIC PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE. Elsevier - Health Sciences Division, 2017. ISBN: 9780323357623

Learning objectives are:
a) Knowledge of principle of immunology;
b) Knowledge on the main immunological reactions in case of organs and tissues tissue transplantation and materials graft;
c) Knowledge of the hematopoietic stem cell potential; knowledge of the procedures and applications of hematopoietic stem cell transplant; knowledge of GVHD effect and of the therapeutic exploitation of GVT;
d) Knowledge and understanding of main pathophysiological mechanisms of renal disease and attendant clinical and laboratory manifestations;
knowledge and understanding of principles of therapy of renal disorders, with a focus on artificial and natural renal replacement therapy (RRT) and relative biotechnological applications;
4) knowledge and understanding of clinical problems of nephropathic patient, including patient with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), patient on dialysis and with renal transplant and relative biotechnological applications;
e) Knowledge of the main requisites for implantable biomaterials and their applications or the use of biomaterials as drug delivering devices;
f) development of autonomous judging skills and of adequate communicative skills, (correct medical language) and autonomous learning skills towards main topics of the course.

Prerequisites of the course are:
a) basic knowledge on immunology;
b) basic knowledge of chemistry and physics;
c) knowledge of the hematopoietic system; basic knowledge of hematopoietic diseases;
d) knowledge of flow cytometry;
e) basic knowledge of anatomy and renal physiology.

Classes and self-assessment tests after each class.
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.

Slides are available on the University DIR website. Other information are available at each professor web-site at upo-book (see www.uniupo.it)

Written exam, based on statements concerning the activities performed in class. For each statement, students are invited to assess "true/false" and write a few lines of comment to detail their choice.

a) Concept of immunology, immune-hypersensitivity, histocompatibility and the related diseases;
b) hematopoietic stem cell, hematopoiesis, regulation of hematopoiesis, concept of stem cell transplant, types of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (autologous, allogeneic, haploidentical), GVHD and GVT;
c) principles of anatomy and renal physiology, basis of renal semeiotics including instrumental exams to study renal disorders, renal biopsy. primary and secondary nephrological syndromes. Glomerulonephritis,aAcute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD). Progression of chronic renal failure. Uremic syndrome. Preparation for dialysis. Hemodialysis: general principles and indications. management of hemodialysis patient;
Peritoneal dialysis: general principles and indications. Renal transplant. General principles and indications. Management of renal transplant patient. The immunosuppressive therapy. Complications of renal transplant. The role of C4d in the diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection.
d) Concept of biocompatibility, biomaterials and functionalized biomaterials for tissue substitutions and regeneration, and cancer treatment (including nanomaterials).

The student is expected to gain knowledge on:
a) the main immunological aspects of biocompatibility of transplants and materials including procedures for manufacturing, characterization
b) main applications of hematopoietic stem cell transplant, nephrology, dialysis and kidney transplantation, implantable materials for regenerative medicine and drug delivering.