Ateneo - UPO

The foundational knowledge covered includes the main mechanisms of disease and cellular responses to injury; the organization and functions of innate and adaptive immunity; the principles of immunopathology; and the pathophysiology of blood vessels and coagulation. It also includes the essential pathophysiological and clinical features of major vascular and gastrointestinal diseases, chronic inflammatory and autoinflammatory diseases, amyloidosis, tumors, and metabolic disorders.

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

The course aims to provide an understanding of the causes and main cellular and molecular mechanisms of disease. By the end of the course, students should have an adequate understanding of the pathophysiological processes covered and be able to relate them to the clinical manifestations of disease. They should also be able to connect the topics studied, discuss them critically, and explain their knowledge clearly using appropriate scientific terminology. Through selected examples, students will understand how the study of disease mechanisms helps identify molecular targets for drugs already in use or under development.

Students are advised to have already attended the courses in Animal and Plant Biology and Physiology.

The course is taught mainly through lectures and seminars. Occasional in-class research and discussion activities encourage active participation and help students connect the topics covered. Interactive quizzes allow students to check their understanding throughout the course.

Students with disabilities, Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), or Special Educational Needs (SEN) can contact the University’s Inclusion Office to learn about and request the available support services and accommodations. Further information is available at: https://uniupo.it/it/servizi/servizi-studentesse-e-studenti-condizione-di-disabilit%C3%A0-e-dsa
After contacting the Inclusion Office, students may contact the course instructor to discuss teaching arrangements and how the approved examination accommodations will be applied.

The examination is an oral interview with open-ended questions on the course topics. Assessment takes into account students’ knowledge and understanding of pathophysiological processes, their ability to connect and critically discuss different topics, and the clarity of their explanations, including the appropriate use of scientific terminology. Students are expected to know and correctly explain the fundamental concepts; higher grades require a deeper understanding and greater independence in connecting different pathological mechanisms.
Two examination dates are scheduled in each examination period: February, June–July, and September.

Module 1 – Cellular Pathology. Cellular and tissue responses to stress. Causes and mechanisms of cell injury. Characteristics and mechanisms of the main forms of cell death: necrosis, apoptosis, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis. Degenerative processes caused by intracellular accumulation.
Module 2 – Inflammation and Innate Immunity. Epithelial barriers and cellular components of innate immunity. Origin, activation, and effector functions of neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, and natural killer cells. Pathogen recognition through membrane receptors (formyl peptide, lectin, scavenger, and Toll-like receptors), cytosolic receptors (RIG-like receptors, DNA sensors, NOD1/2, and members of the NLRP family), and soluble molecules (collectins, pentraxins, ficolins, and complement). The roles of NF-κB and type I interferons in inflammatory and antiviral responses.
Acute inflammation: changes in blood flow and vascular permeability, leukocyte recruitment, and plasma-derived and cell-derived chemical mediators. Local morphological patterns (serous, fibrinous, and suppurative inflammation; ulcers), systemic manifestations (sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and septic shock), and outcomes. Nonspecific and granulomatous chronic inflammation. Tissue repair through regeneration and scar formation. Embryonic and adult stem cells, liver regeneration, healing of skin wounds by primary and secondary intention, abnormalities of repair, and fibrosis.
Module 3 – Adaptive Immunity. Characteristics and phases of the adaptive immune response: specificity, memory, and tolerance. Primary and secondary lymphoid tissues. Dendritic cells and antigen presentation as a link between innate and adaptive immunity. Structure and function of MHC class I and II molecules; polygeny and polymorphism of HLA genes and MHC restriction.
T lymphocytes: development in the thymus, positive and negative selection, generation of TCR diversity, receptor structure, and signal transduction. Activation and differentiation of helper and cytotoxic T cells; effector functions and mechanisms of cytotoxicity. Central and peripheral tolerance. Introduction to innate lymphoid cells.
B lymphocytes: development, activation, and differentiation. Immunoglobulin genes and mechanisms that generate antibody diversity. Antibody structure, classes, and functions. Primary and secondary immune responses; principles of vaccination.
Module 4 – Immunopathology. Type I, II, III, and IV hypersensitivity reactions. Autoantibody-mediated and cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. Congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies. Transplantation tolerance and organ transplant rejection. Mucosal immunity and inflammatory bowel diseases. Introduction to respiratory diseases.
Module 5 – Vascular and Coagulation Pathophysiology. Atherosclerosis: risk factors, pathogenesis, plaque formation and stability, clinical manifestations, and cardiovascular complications. Thrombosis: pathogenesis and clinical manifestations. Bleeding disorders.
Module 6 – Tumors. Definition and classification of tumors. Biology of tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Chemical, physical, and viral carcinogenesis; neoplastic transformation as a multistep process. Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. The roles of genes involved in apoptosis and DNA repair; genetic instability and epigenetic changes. The tumor microenvironment and tumor immunology, the immunoscore, and principles of immunotherapy, with an introduction to CAR T cells, oncolytic viruses, and dendritic cell-based vaccines.
Module 7 – Metabolic Syndrome and Metabolic Disorders. Metabolic syndrome. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Acquire medical terminology and understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of disease. Communicate the knowledge gained clearly and using appropriate scientific language. Apply this knowledge to understand the rationale for and effects of the pharmacological approaches covered in subsequent courses, read the scientific literature independently and critically, identify new molecular and cellular targets, and propose targeted therapeutic strategies.