SIMULATING THE SPECIFIC IMMUNE RESPONSE SIMULATE 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 QUESTIONS Based 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 QUESTIONS The 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 CELLS Write 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--ANTIBODIES Antibodies 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 QUESTIONS If 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 CELLS Write 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--CYTOKINES Signaling 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 CELLS Similar 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.