SIIK16006U Neuro Immunology

Volume 2017/2018
Education

Msc in Immunology and Inflammation

Content

The course covers immunity and immune regulation in the central nervous system (CNS) with emphasis on the organization and immune functions of specific CNS cells, the blood-brain-barrier and trafficking of leukocytes into the CNS, as well as the regulation and role of immune processes in health and disease – in particular chronic inflammatory, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative diseases. The course will touch upon genetic predisposition to immune-mediated CNS diseases and the putative novel role of the immune system in diseases such as sleeping disorders, headache, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s and psychiatric diseases such as depression and schizophrenia. The course will provide insight into the function of resident CNS cells in the innate immunity, the molecular interplay between CNS cells and immune cells in adaptive immune responses, and the role of regulatory and inflammatory immune cells, cytokines, antibodies, and complement. Moreover the course will cover the organization and function of the immune system in the eye in health and disease and how immunological crosstalk takes place between CNS and other organs/tissues such as endocrine organs, metabolic tissues and the gastro-intestinal system. The course will also touch upon novel innovative techniques and introduce the student to break-through technologies applied to the field of neuroimflammation. Moreover, the program  deals with clinical aspects of immuno-pathogenesis as well as novel therapies and experimental models and tools for CNS disease and translation of experimental data into industrial innovation and clinic care.

It is the aim that the students will acquire a conceptual comprehension of the field allowing critical review of research papers, and contributions to research projects in the field. Moreover, the students will be capable of having a professional dialogue with doctors, researchers in academia and the pharma industry. Furthermore, the program aims at providing an excellent basis and all qualifications needed for enrollment at academic and industrial PhD programs in the field of neuroinflammation and CNS disease.

Learning Outcome

After completing the course the student is expected to be able to:

 

Knowledge:

  • Describe the organization of the innate immune system and the blood-brain-barrier in CNS
  • Describe the type and effector functions of resident immune cells in CNS
  • Describe the type, adaptive immunity, trafficking, and effector functions of peripheral immune cells in CNS

  • Explain the interplay between CNS resident and peripheral immune cells in healthy individuals
  • Explain the interplay between resident and peripheral immune cells in chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative CNS diseases
  • Explain the characteristics of different immune mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of selected CNS diseases.
  • Describe the organization and function of the immune system in the eye in health and disease
  • Explain the mechanisms of action for established immuno-therapies and treatments targeting immune reactions and cells trafficking in the CNS
  • Discuss hypotheses for etiological and pathological mechanisms involved in the initiation and propagation of chronic inflammation in the CNS.
  • Discuss the use of animal models in neuroimmunology
  • Explain and discuss novel experimental immuno-therapies in CNS disease

 

Skills:

  • Propose relevant  studies aimed at clarifying the immunological mechanisms involved in chronic inflammation and degeneration in the CNS and eye,
  • Hypothesize experimental approaches that could be taken to gain further insight into the interplay between resident and non-resident immune cells.
  • Design animal studies that could help clarify the mode of action of immune modulatory therapies for CNS and eye diseases.
  • Suggest new strategies for targeting molecules and cells involved in the immuno-pathogenesis of CNS disease

 

Competences:

  • Will be able to critically analyze and discuss clinical and experimental data in the field of neuroimmunology
  • Will conceptually be able to develop and initiate small research projects within the field of neuroimmunology
  • Can contribute to interdisciplinary projects involving basic research, clinical research, biomarker and drug development within neuroimmunology and immunotherapy

 

Various original papers and reviews.

Participated and passed previous course in Advanced Basic Immunology (or equivalent) is recommended.
Lectures and problem-based-learning, journal club, and student oral presentation of scientific papers.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 20
  • Exam
  • 2
  • Lectures
  • 16
  • Preparation
  • 168
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 2 hours under invigilation
essay form - exam consist of a set of questions
Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student shall be able to:

Knowledge:

  • Describe the organization of the innate immune system and the blood-brain-barrier in CNS
  • Describe the type and effector functions of resident immune cells in CNS
  • Describe the type, adaptive immunity, trafficking, and effector functions of peripheral immune cells in CNS
  • Explain the interplay between CNS resident and peripheral immune cells in healthy individuals
  • Explain the interplay between resident and peripheral immune cells in chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative CNS diseases
  • Explain the characteristics of different immune mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of selected CNS diseases.
  • Describe the organization and function of the immune system in the eye in health and disease
  • Explain the mechanisms of action for established immuno-therapies and treatments targeting immune reactions and cells trafficking in the CNS
  • Discuss hypotheses for etiological and pathological mechanisms involved in the initiation and propagation of chronic inflammation in the CNS.
  • Discuss the use of animal models in neuroimmunology
  • Explain and discuss novel experimental immuno-therapies in CNS disease

 

Skills:

  • Propose relevant  studies aimed at clarifying the immunological mechanisms involved in chronic inflammation and degeneration in the CNS and eye,
  • Hypothesize experimental approaches that could be taken to gain further insight into the interplay between resident and non-resident immune cells.
  • Design animal studies that could help clarify the mode of action of immune modulatory therapies for CNS and eye diseases.
  • Suggest new strategies for targeting molecules and cells involved in the immuno-pathogenesis of CNS disease

 

Competences:

  • Critically analyze and discuss clinical and experimental data in the field of neuroimmunology