Overview

Introducing the immune system functions in health maintenance. The content will train students to consider the role of the immune system in animal responses to various health challenges and prompt them to develop an integrated, science-based approach in solving health problems by applying their knowledge of immune system structure and function in comprehending how the body detects, communicates, regulates, and corrects pathophysiologic perturbations

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Use a systems-based approach to explain the homeostatic role of the immune system in animal health maintenance
Describe the structure and role of the mucosal defense system in the development and sustainability of animal health
Explain how the immune system monitors and communicates health, danger, damage, and dysfunction in the body
Outline the relative role of inflammatory and adaptive immune responses to health maintenance and restoration
Evaluate the relative contribution of various internal and external factors to the disruption of immune system capacity to detect, communicate, and respond to health threats
Review how disruption in the regulation and control of immune responses contributes to the nature and severity of disease pathology
Formulate simple management strategies (e.g. husbandry, nutrition, vaccination) to optimize the homeostatic role of the immune system in animal systems
Apply the fundamentals of immunology in solving infectious disease problems in animal systems

Course Topics

Module 1: The Maintenance of Health
Defining Health and Disease
The Health-Disease Continuum
The System Within a System: The Host
The Immune System: The Coordinator of Homeostasis
Homeostasis
Inflammation Regulation
Module 2: Determinants and Disturbances of Health
Health Maintenance and Defense is Heritable
Immune Development Before Birth
Neonatal Immune Development
Immunity is Influenced by Nutrition
The Microbiome
When Are Microbes A Health Threat?
Mucosa: Battle Site of Homeostasis
Impact of Stress on Systems
Mechanisms of Mucosal Health Disruption
Optimization and Management of Host Health
Module 3: What’s Up Doc? Monitoring Health, Danger, Damage, and Dysfunction
All Living Organisms Self-Monitor Their Health Status
Health Disruption Detection Around the Body
Mechanisms of Health Disruption Detection
The Molecular Mechanics of Health Disruption Detection
Early Effector Responses to Health Disruption
Disruption and Interference of Health Disruption Detection
Optimization and Management of Host Health Disruption Detection
Module 4: Communicating Health and Disruption
Health Disruption Communication is Locally, Regionally, and Systematically Organized
Local Communication Networks
Regional Communication Networks
Systemic Communication to Other Organs
Communication to Other Mucosal Sites
Communication to Metabolism
Disruption and Interference of Communication
Optimization and Management of Communication
Module 5: Control and Regulation of Health Maintenance
The Response to Health Disruption is Tightly Regulated
The Immune Regulatory Role of the Microbiome
The Role of Local Cell Populations in Immune Regulation
Regional Centers of Immune Regulation
Neuroendocrine Regulation of Immune System Activity
Metabolic Influences on Immune System Activity
Regionalization of Immune System in the Body
Disruption and Interference of Immune System Regulation
Optimization and Management of Immune System Regulation
Module 6: Getting Better: Restoring Health and Healing
Healing: A Timeline of Response and Restoration
Soluble vs Cellular: An Overview of Effector Responses
Innate vs Adaptive: Overview of Effector Responses
Cellular Effector Responses in Health Restoration
Humoral Effector Responses in Health Restoration
The Disruption of Response and Restoration, Elimination, and Healing
How Chronic Inflammation Disrupts Healing
The Optimization and Management of Health Restoration
Module 7: Management of Health Defense
Overview of Health Management
Factors in the Emergence of Infectious Diseases
Modes and Mechanisms of Different Categories of Pathogens
Bacterial Pathogens
Viral, Protozoal and Parasitic Pathogenesis
New Approaches to Health Management

Recommended Prerequisites

Completion of VCM 507 and VCM 509, DVM degree or equivalent, or permission of the instructor