330012 VO Nutrition and Immunology (2012S)

Basic and nutritional immunology and allergology
University of Vienna, Inst. For Nutritional Sciences
by Dr. Lajos A. Réthy (MD, PhD)

First part: Basic immunology. Lectures start with the theoretical basis of immunology (nomenclature, general properties, humoral factors, cells, tissues and organs of the immune system.
Detailed reviews on innate immunology, involving antigen recognition, the structure -and function of immunoglobulins, antigen capture/ presentation, furthermore major histocompatibility complex (MHC), T-cells, T-cell receptors and their diversity are presented. MHC-restriction of T-cells and all other important elements of the cellular and humoral immune responses are also discussed in details.
The first part of the program is closed with the basic features of tolerance and autoimmunity.
The second part of the lectures focuses mostly on the nutritional aspects of immunology, especially allergic hypersensitivities, using the basic immunological terms of the first part.
After some general topics the gastrointestinal tract is examined first, with special attention to its essential role in the immune-defence system.
Specific hypersensitivity diseases, especially food allergies are talked about in details. Clinical findings, main diagnostic steps, the most common food allergens / cross-allergens in food allergies are discussed together with therapeutic approaches and primary/ secondary prevention - with special attention to breast-feeding.
Finally, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and some other important inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal system are discussed, together with some examples of immunodeficiences and tumor immunity.
Summary and discussion close the second week's program.

The lectures are presented in English.

Planned** schedule of lectures SS2010
**: slight changes may occur
Day 1
Introduction. Schedule, course assessment.
An overview of the immune system:
Nomenclature, general properties, humoral factors, cells, tissues, organs of the immune system.

Day 2
Innate immunity
Antigen recognition by B cells.
Immunoglobulins. Antigen capture/presentation. Major histocompatibility complex.

Day 3
T cells, T-cell receptors and their diversity.
MHC-restriction of T cells.
Effector phase, cellular & humoral immune responses.
Immune tolerance, autoimmunity.

Day 4
Hypersensitivity diseases.
Gastrointestinal tract as part of the immune-defence system (GALT).

Day 5.
Common allergens, food-allergens, cross-allergens.
Food allergies: I. Diagnostic steps,
II. Clinical syndromes, main therapeutic approaches
¿
Day 6
¿ Epidemiology of food-allergies
¿ Primary and secondary prevention of food-allergies, role of breast-feeding in prevention.
¿ Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD).
¿
Day 7
¿ Other disorders the gastrointestinal system of immunological origin.
¿ Summary, Remaining questions, Consultation