PBL 1 INNATE IMMUNITY (ORAL PRESENTATION)

In week 1 of the PBL, tutors will assign groups of 4 (or 5) students to the 4 topics. On week 3,
each group (4 or 5 students) will give a Powerpoint presentation of 30-40 mins (7 mins per
student). Although presented in a group, each talk will be marked individually so don't be
concerned if a team member is absent for the final presentation.
SUBJECT 1. Genetic diseases that affect phagocyte function highlight the importance of these
cells in controlling bacterial infections. Outline how phagocyte function is altered by the genetic
defect(s) in the diseases listed below and how this results in a defective immune response:
Topic 1. Leukocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD)
Starting refs: Harris et.al. Curr. Opin. Hematol. 20: 16-25 (2013); Malech and Hickstein Curr Opin
Hematol 14:29-36 (2007); Etzioni and Tonetti Immun Rev 178:138 (2000)
Student 1: Integrin and selectin structure
Student 2: Integrin and selectin function in innate immunity
Student 3: LAD type 1 - gene defects and phenotype
Student 4: LAD type 2 - gene defects and phenotype
Student 5: Animal models for LAD
Topic 2. Chronic granulomatous disease
Starting refs: Song et. al. Clin. Mol. Allergy 9:10 (2011); Malech and Hickstein Curr Opin Hematol
14:2936 (2007); Goldblatt and Thrasher Clin Exp Immunol 122:1-9 (2000)
Student 1: Mechanisms of pathogen destruction by innate immune cells
Student 2: The respiratory burst in phagocytes
Student 3: CGD gene defects
Student 4: Animal models of CGD
Student 5: Clinical presentation and management of CGD

SUBJECT 2. Cells of the innate immune system recognise foreign organisms through
pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs).
Choose one of the PAMPs below and outline how cells of the innate immune system recognise
this PAMP and how this allows for cellular activation and destruction of the foreign organism:
Topic 3. Lipopolysaccharide
Starting Refs: Wang and Quinn Prog. Lipid Res. 49: 97-107 (2010); Kenny and ONeill Cytokine
43:342349 (2008); Guha et al Cell Signalling 13: 85-94 (2001)
Student 1: Structure of LPS and lipid A
Student 2: Effects of LPS on macrophages/dendritic cells/NK cells
Student 3: LPS and TLR4 signalling
Student 4: Pathogen destruction pathways activated by LPS
Student 5: The TLR family and their ligands
Topic 4. Bacterial (CpG) DNA
Starting refs: Kumagai et al Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 60: 795804 (2008); Hacker et al
Immunol:105: 245-251 (2002); Krieg Ann. Rev. Immunol. 20:709-760 (2002).
Student 1: Differences between bacterial and mammalian DNA
Student 2: Effects of CpG DNA on macrophages/dendritic cells/NK cells
Student 3: CpG DNA and TLR9 signalling
Student 4: Therapeutic applications of CpG DNA
Student 5: Delivery of stimulatory DNA into cells