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The course has a strong patient focus and examines how the immune system contributes to pathology and human disease. The first major focus is on autoimmunity. The theoretical basis of autoimmunity as a failure of tolerance is examined and the major concepts/experimental support studied. The concepts and mechanisms of central tolerance, peripheral tolerance and oral tolerance are described, and routes to initiate and sustain autoimmunity laid out. Alternative theories such as the idiotypic network theory are introduced, and the impact of hygiene, obesity and gender on autoimmunity discussed. Autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases are then surveyed in organ specific and systemic manifestations. The second focus of the course is on transplantation/graft rejection. The third focus is on Types 1-IV Hypersensitivities, whereas the fourth focus is on primary and secondary Immune deficiency. Cross cutting themes include diagnostics and therapeutics.
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