Clinical Aspects of Autoimmune Disease

Question 1

Where are T cells produced?

Answer 1

Bone marrow

Question 2

What are T cells called when they have migrated to the thymus?

Answer 2

Thymocytes

Question 3

What are auto-reactive thymocytes?

Answer 3

Thymocytes that recognise antigens produced by self. These cause an immune response against those peptides

Question 4

What is selection?

Answer 4

In the thymus, thymocytes are presented with self antigens. If they bind then they are removed

Question 5

What are the 3 checkpoints where an autoimmune response is normally prevented?

Answer 5

1) Thymic selection/central tolerance
2) T-reg cells stimulate auto-reactive T-cells to apoptose
3) Danger signals

Question 6

How are auto-reactive cells triggered?

Answer 6

Co-stimulation via CD28 and CD80

Question 7

As well as an antigen, what do dendritic cells need to trigger T-cells?

Answer 7

Inflammation

Question 8

Who is most susceptible to autoimmune diseases?

Answer 8

Women

Question 9

What are risk factors for autoimmune disease development? (Excluding age and gender)

Answer 9

Family history, Genetics (HLA), Hygiene hypothesis, Drugs (including smoking)