SIMULATING THE SPECIFIC IMMUNE RESPONSESIMULATE AND ANALYZE ROLE OF 4 DIFFERENT TYPES OF WHITE BLOOD CELLS IN SPECIFIC IMMUNE RESPONSES

SIMULATION PLAYERS

Classroom = Human

Desks/chairs/stools = living body cells doing their job

Playing cards = proteins in cells and interstitial fluid

Paper on floor = cell debris

You = immune system cell

MACROPHAGES

Write MACROPHAGE on name tag—place on shirt

Role of Macrophage:

Can engulf cells, cell fragments, pathogens and other debris found in body

Only collect particles outside of cells

Do not collect particles in healthy living cells

Act out role of macrophage

MACROPHAGE QUESTIONSBased on what you know about the function of a macrophage, how do you think the size of a macrophage cell compares to that of a red blood cell, which carries hemoglobin and carbon dioxide?

Macrophage 21 µm

RBC 8 µm

MACROPHAGE QUESTIONS

What do you think determines the lifespan of a macrophage?

MACROPHAGE QUESTIONSThe roots for the word macrophage mean “big eater”. How is this an appropriate name for these cells and how do you think scientists came up with this name?

B CELLSWrite B cell on left side of shirt sticker

Create an original symbol on right side of sticker

Put Macrophage sticker on edge of desk—use again later

Characteristics of B Cells

Unique and original

Each cell identifies specific protein or polysaccharide shape

Seek antigens only in interstitial fluid

Make two or three Y shaped forms from pipe cleaners—about length of small finger

B CELLS--ANTIBODIESAntibodies made by B cells

Purpose: stick to foreign particle like a flag—macrophage cells recognize antigen as debris

Antigen—foreign particles that enter body; may or may not be pathogen

Antigen binding site—site where antibody binds to antigen

Epitope—specific protein or polysaccharide that binds to antigen binding site

Recreate symbol on shirt sticker on two yellow dot stickers

Fold around tips of Antibody—one on each tip

Repeat for other antibody

B CELLS

B CELLS—CLONE OR PLASMA CELLS

B CELLS—MEMORY CELLS

B CELLS

B CELL QUESTIONS

How are B cells similar to and different from macrophage cells?

B CELL QUESTIONSIf you go to the doctor and she notices that the lymph nodes under your chin and arms are swollen, she may recommend that you have a blood analysis, because the lymph nodes are an area where white blood cells are stationed to detect pathogens. How might the blood sample indicate to the doctor that you are indeed fighting an infection?

B CELL QUESTIONS

Imagine you got the flu three years ago and there was a specific epitope on that particular flu virus that we will call protein A.

Your B cells recognized protein a and used it to make antibodies that eventually destroyed the infection and you gradually went from feeling sick to feeling better.

If a new type of flu virus emerges and it has epitopes that include protein A as well as proteins B, C, D and E, how do you think your body will react to this new antigen?

CYTOTOXIC T CELLSWrite cytotoxic T cell on left side of new shirt sticker

Draw simple but unique symbol on right side of sticker

Remove B cell sticker and attach to edge of desk for later

Also has specificity

Can identify only one type of epitope on any antigen

Identify foreign proteins or polysaccharides on inside of living body cells

Look inside presumably healthy living cells to see if there are antigens residing inside

CYTOTOXIC T CELLS AND APC’S

Ask other body cells to present contents for inspection using cell to cell bridge that contains interior proteins to identify self

All nucleated cells can be APCs in presence of cytotoxic T cell

Bridge has groove where interior proteins can be brought from cytoplasm for inspection

CYTOTOXIC T CELLS--CYTOKINESSignaling proteins that summon other WBCs to infected areas

Cause signal cascade called secondary immune response or inflammatory response

—cytokines, pyrogens, interleukins, histamines, clotting factors, swelling, heat, redness

Simulate identification of antigen inside cells

How could you simulate reaction that occurs in body after cytotoxic T cells have started releasing cell signals?

CYTOTOXIC T CELLS--PERFORIN

Punches holes in cell membrane of infected cell

Simulate death of cell

Macrophage cells summoned by cytokines will engulf dead cell and spilled contents –simulate this

CYTOTOXIC T CELLS—CLONE CELLS AND MEMORY CELLS

Simulate production of clone or plasma cells

Simulate production of memory cells

HELPER T CELLSSimilar to Cytotoxic T cell

But can only inspect contents of B cells and

macrophages

Job is to ID any antigen found by macrophage cells

and B and T cells

Coordinates WBCs & combats infection more quickly

Uses signal cascade of cytokines to draw WBCs to

infection

Helps other WBCs replicate as needed

Make Helper T cell shirt stickers

Need 2 of each: Helper T cells, B cells and Macrophages

Circulate room and simulate your “job”

DYNAMIC SIMULATION TIME!

What do you think WBCs spend most of their time doing?

Read your role description

Put on appropriate shirt sticker

Circulate within the body and do your job!

QUESTIONS

Describe actions performed in your role and explain what happened during simulation.

Swap roles!

Question sheet due Friday.