Category: Pathology Principles

Autophagy Autophagy Autophagy Autophagy
Posted in Pathology Principles

Autophagy is the process by which cells consume their own organelles, proteins and other molecules.

Bacterial Virulence Factors Bacterial Virulence Factors Bacterial Virulence Factors Bacterial Virulence Factors
Posted in Pathology Principles

Bacterial virulence factors are aspects of the bacterium that influence its interaction with host cells.

Cellular Activation Cellular Activation Cellular Activation Cellular Activation
Posted in Pathology Principles

Cellular signalling can lead to differentiation, proliferation or other functions. There are many different types of cell signals, involving different signalling pathways and transcription factors, which the cell integrates to determine what it should do next.

DNA Repair DNA Repair DNA Repair DNA Repair
Posted in Pathology Principles

DNA damage is almost constantly occurring, and requires proper repair of the damage in order to prevent apoptosis, senescence or cancer formation. The reliability of these DNA repair mechanisms depends on the cell type, the age of the cell and the environment it is situated in.

Viral Virulence Factors Viral Virulence Factors Viral Virulence Factors Viral Virulence Factors
Posted in Pathology Principles

Like bacterial virulence factors, viral virulence factors help the virus spread, replicate or evade the immune system.

Viral Mutation Viral Mutation Viral Mutation Viral Mutation
Posted in Pathology Principles

One unique feature of viruses is their ability to mutate, to evade the immune system or infect new hosts. Viruses can mutate through a few basic mechanisms: antigenic drift, antigenic shift, reassortment and recombination.

Viral Replication Viral Replication Viral Replication Viral Replication
Posted in Pathology Principles

There are five key steps in viral replication, which vary slightly depending on the structure of the virus. These steps are attachment, entry into a cell, uncoating, replication and shedding.

Tumour Suppressor Genes Tumour Suppressor Genes Tumour Suppressor Genes Tumour Suppressor Genes
Posted in Pathology Principles

Tumour suppressor genes act to inhibit cell proliferation and growth, with the goal of preventing tumours from developing. The major tumour suppressors are RB, TP53, APC, E-cadherin, CDKN2A, TGF-β, PTEN, VHL and STK11.

Phagocyte Activation Phagocyte Activation Phagocyte Activation Phagocyte Activation
Posted in Pathology Principles

After a pathogen binds to a particular PRR, the phagocyte must undergo several changes to allow for microbial killing.

Pattern Recognition Receptors Pattern Recognition Receptors Pattern Recognition Receptors Pattern Recognition Receptors
Posted in Pathology Principles

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are used by phagocytic cells to identify potential pathogens. There are 3 broad categories of PRRs: free receptors, membrane-bound receptors, and cytoplasmic receptors.