Three
Immunological Research Protocols for High School Biology Students
Developed
by: Katherine L. Brown
© American Association of Immunologists 1999
Overview
Cytokine production in response to gram negative bacteria as
part of the cell mediated immune response can be used to teach basic
immunological concepts and research techniques to high school biology
students. Cell mediated immune responses use T cells and effector cells,
such as mononuclear phagocytes/macrophages, to rid the body of microbes,
bacteria and viruses, some of which may live intracellulary. The
communication among the involved cells is facilitated by the secretion of
cytokines. Secretion of tumor necrosis factor, TNF, one of many known
cytokines, mediates a natural immunity response and helps initiate the
physiological response of inflammation, redness, swelling, fever, in
response to infection, burns or trauma. If too little TNF is secreted, then
infections may not be contained. In great amounts, the TNF enters the
bloodstream causing fever and septic or endotoxin shock which can be fatal.
In the study done by this teacher at the Infectious Disease Lab of Case
Western Reserve University, THP-1 cells, a human macrophage line, were
stimulated by bacterial liposaccharide (LPS) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(MTB) to initiate secretion of TNF, tumor necrosis factor. The study used
three immunological research protocols:
- Activity I: cell counting using an exclusion dye trypan blue;
Activity II: a radioactive
tag, tritated thymidine (3H-TDR), to study cell proliferation
after stimulation;
Activity III: an ELISA to
determine the concentration of TNF secreted in comparison to a known
standard curve.
These three research techniques
then were developed into activities and/or simulations for the high school
biology student to learn about immunological research of cell mediated immunity.
Suggested
Time
One week of 50 minute class periods.
Day One:
content lecture based upon background information
Day Two:
Activity I: cell count
Day Three:
Activity II: cell proliferation
Day Four:
Activity III: ELISA simulation
Day Five:
continuing the ELISA
Day Six:
assessment quiz