Immunology Flashcards
Major gene mutations found to be associated with type 1 diabetes?
IDD1: in MHC class II
IDD2: In insulin gene
IDD3: Poor regulation of T-cell activation
How many autoantibodies are there in T1DM? How ofetn are they present?
4 - one is present in 90% of cases
How do the autoantibodies damage the cells and tissues?
Cell-mediated lysis
Opsonization
Alteration of receptors
Deposition of immune complexes
How do the autoantibodies damage the cells and tissues?
Cell-mediated lysis
Opsonization
Alteration of receptors
Deposition of immune complexes
Infections that can be transmitted from mother to child taht are screened for in the UK?
HIV Syphillis, HBV
Routes of vertical transmission of disease from mother to child?
In utero:
- Haematogenous route
- Ascending route from the vagina
During birth:
- Exposure to contaminated maternal secretion
- Exposure to maternal blood
During breastfeeding:
- Breastmilk or if nipples are cracked and bleeding
Use of IgG and IgM antigen tests for maternal infection?
IgM is a marker of recent infection particularly when IgG is undetectable
IgG marker of past infection when IgM is undetectable
Immunological adaptations of the uterus in pregnancy?
B and T cells present
IgA in vaginal secretions
Progesterone and hCG down-regulates maternal cytotoxic T cells
70% of the immune cells in the second part of pregnancy are what cells?
Uterine NK cell
What is uterine NK cell education?
NK cell receptors interact with MHC I and educated NK cells respond when it is missing
However NK cells are poor at killing ‘non-self’ antigens
Immune adaptations in implantation?
Endocrine system - Progesterone skew towards Th2
Immune cells - uNK cells, macrophages and dendritic cells all produce a complex array of cytokines that promote or inhibit trophoblastic infiltration
What is/causes rhesus disease of the newborn
Mother rhesus D-ve and father D+ve leads to a mismatch
Sensitisation to paternal rhesus D antigen during first pregnancy generates anti RhD antibodies
During second pregnancy antibodies cross the placenta and bind to fetal erythrocytes
