13. Autoimmune Disease II Flashcards
(23 cards)
What are autoimmune diseases?
Conditions where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues
They can be classified into organ-specific and systemic autoimmune diseases.
What are the two main types of autoimmune diseases?
- Organ-specific autoimmune diseases
- Systemic autoimmune diseases
What is pernicious anemia?
An autoimmune disease where autoantibodies target red blood cell membranes and block B12 absorption
Symptoms include weakness, fatigue, and peripheral nerve damage.
How was pernicious anemia treated historically?
- Meat feedings
- Liver extracts
- B12 replacement therapy
What are the symptoms of pernicious anemia?
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Peripheral nerve damage
What is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
An autoimmune disease recognized as the first autoimmune condition, where autoantibodies target thyroid components
It leads to inflammation and destruction of thyroid follicles.
What are the symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Sensitivity to cold
- Fatigue
- Panic attacks
- Tachycardia
What genetic components are associated with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
- Specific HLA molecules (HLA-5)
- CTLA-4 involvement
What is the main mechanism of Graves’ disease?
Autoantibodies bind to TSH receptors, leading to unregulated overproduction of thyroid hormones
This occurs without normal feedback control.
What are the symptoms of Graves’ disease?
- Anxiety
- Irregular heartbeat
- Fatigue
- Bulging eye syndrome (exophthalmos)
What is the mechanism behind Type 1 diabetes?
Cytotoxic T cells destroy pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin
This is driven by interferon gamma production.
What is a key characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
Butterfly rash on face
It is caused by autoantibodies forming immune complexes on blood vessels.
What are common symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
- Arthritis
- Skin rash
- Fever
- Brain effects
- Kidney dysfunction
What is the mechanism of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
Autoantibodies target DNA, histones, and red blood cells, leading to immune complex formation and complement activation
What is the target of multiple sclerosis (MS)?
Brain and spinal cord (white matter/myelin)
It involves T cells attacking myelin proteins.
What is the role of T cells in multiple sclerosis (MS)?
T cells attack myelin proteins and recruit into the brain through the blood-brain barrier
What factors contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases?
- Release of normally sequestered antigens
- Inappropriate MHC expression
- Polyclonal B-cell activation
- Molecular mimicry
- Combined genetic and environmental factors
What is the current treatment approach for autoimmune diseases?
- Immune suppression
- Immune modulation
- Targeted anti-inflammatory drugs
- Blocking immune cell infiltration
- Re-establishing tolerance
What is a common treatment method for immune suppression in autoimmune diseases?
Steroids
They are effective but have adverse effects with long-term use.
What is molecular mimicry in the context of autoimmune diseases?
Similarity between microbial peptides and self-proteins that can trigger an autoimmune response
Examples include the resemblance of measles virus proteins to myelin basic protein.
Fill in the blank: The mechanism of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis involves autoantibodies targeting _______.
thyroid components
True or False: Systemic lupus erythematosus is more common in men than women.
False
What is an example of a targeted anti-inflammatory drug used in autoimmune diseases?
TNF-alpha inhibitors
Effective for rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
