Immunology Course
Explore the Body’s Defense System at the Molecular Level
Immunology is the science of how the body recognizes, responds to, and remembers threats. This course takes you deep into the mechanisms that protect us from infections, eliminate cancerous cells, and maintain internal balance—and what happens when this powerful system fails.
Crafted for medical students, this course simplifies complex pathways into intuitive, high-yield concepts, helping you understand the immune system from both a scientific and clinical lens. With clear explanations, conceptual diagrams, and real-world correlations, you’ll move beyond memorization into true comprehension.
Whether you’re prepping for USMLE, PLAB, or your university exams, these notes will help you build a rock-solid foundation in immunology and see its relevance in nearly every area of medicine.
Course Contents
1. Fundamentals of Immunity
- Overview of innate vs adaptive immunity
- Physical, chemical, and cellular barriers
- Antigens, haptens, and PAMPs
2. Cells of the Immune System
- Lymphocytes (B cells, T cells, NK cells)
- Phagocytes (macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells)
- Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and their roles
- Origin, maturation, and differentiation
3. Innate Immunity
- Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs, TLRs, NLRs)
- Phagocytosis and killing mechanisms
- Complement system: classical, alternative, lectin pathways
- Inflammation: mediators, cytokines, acute vs chronic
4. Adaptive Immunity
- T cell development, MHC recognition, CD4+ vs CD8+
- B cell activation and antibody class switching
- Clonal selection, expansion, and memory formation
- Antibody structure, function, and isotypes
5. Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)
- MHC Class I & II structure and function
- Antigen processing and presentation
- Role in transplant compatibility and autoimmunity
6. Immune Signaling and Communication
- Cytokines and chemokines
- Co-stimulatory molecules and immune checkpoints
- JAK-STAT pathway and other intracellular cascades
7. Immunological Memory & Vaccines
- Primary vs secondary immune responses
- Principles of vaccination and herd immunity
- Types of vaccines: live, inactivated, subunit, mRNA
8. Hypersensitivity Reactions (Types I–IV)
- Immediate and delayed responses
- Mechanisms behind allergies, asthma, serum sickness, contact dermatitis
- Clinical examples and diagnostic markers
9. Autoimmunity & Immune Tolerance
- Central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms
- Autoimmune disease mechanisms (e.g. SLE, type 1 diabetes, MS)
- Autoantibodies and lab tests (e.g. ANA, RF)
10. Immunodeficiency Disorders
- Primary (e.g. SCID, DiGeorge, IgA deficiency)
- Secondary (e.g. HIV, chemotherapy, malnutrition)
- Diagnostic clues and treatment basics
11. Tumor Immunology
- Immune surveillance and escape
- Immunoediting and cancer immunotherapy
- Checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cells
12. Transplant Immunology
- Types of grafts and rejection mechanisms
- Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)
- Immunosuppressive therapy basics
Recent Notes
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Natural Killer (NK) Cells: Phenotype, Function, and Immunological Significance
Introduction and Classification Natural Killer (NK) cells represent a category of cytotoxic lymphocytes primarily associated with the innate immune system while exhibiting functionalities that bridge innate and adaptive immunity. Classified as unconventional lymphocytes and members of the innate lymphoid cell (ILC) family, specifically Group 1 ILCs, NK cells constitute a principal effector population capable of…
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Biology, Functions, and Activation of B Lymphocytes in Humoral Immunity
Main Definion of B Lymphocytes B lymphocytes are some of the most important cells of the immune system, especially in specific immunity. Together with T lymphocytes, they form the basis of the body’s protective barrier. They can very precisely recognize antigens using special “sensors” on their surface – B cell receptors (BCR for short). The…
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Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CD8 T Cells): A Overview of Development, Activation, Effector Functions, and Clinical Significance
1. Identity and Core Task 2. Developmental Pathway in the Thymus 3. Antigen Recognition Architecture 4. Activation of Naïve CD8⁺ T Cells Signal Delivered by Outcome if Absent Notes 1. TCR engagement Peptide–MHC-I on dendritic cells No activation CD8 co-receptor stabilizes binding 2. Costimulation CD80/CD86 on DC ↔ CD28 on T cell Anergy or deletion…