Reference no: EM133230111

Question 1.

For some time there has been evidence that the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine provides protection not only against the target disease (Mycobacterium tuberculosis), but also enhances responses to other infections (such as Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans). Do you think the enhanced response to other infections, as described, is due to innate responses to the vaccine or adaptive responses? Explain your answer.

Question 2.

NK cells have multiple activating and inhibitory receptors. Activating receptors send signals that help "switch on" the NK cell. Inhibitory receptors act as a check on NK cell killing. NK cells constantly 'patrol' tissues contacting other cells; signals from activating and inhibitory receptors determine whether NK cells kill the other cells they are in contact with or leave them alone.

NK cells and cytotoxic T-cells are both part of the anti-viral responses. Cytotoxic T-cells target virally infected cells for killing by recognizing viral specific antigens displayed by the infected cell. NK cells target virally infected cells using their multiple activating and inhibitory receptors as described above. What would the advantage of how NK cells target virally infected cells (activating and inhibitory receptors) vs. T-cells (antigen specific)? Make sure you're explaining your thought process.