Week 1 - Jane Rossi

Question 1

What are the two known areas that disease modifying anti-rhemuatic drug affect?

Answer 1

• T-cell proliferation and function

- Macrophage function

Question 2

What are the three divisions within macrophage function of DMARDs? Give an example of a drug of each

Answer 2

Anti-tumour necrosis factor - Infliximab (biologic)
Anti-interleukin-6 - tocilizumab
Glucocorticosteroids - hydrocortisone

Question 3

What are two DMARDs who’s mechanism of action are unknown?

Answer 3

Sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine

Question 4

What drugs used in RA do NOT prevent disease progression?

Answer 4

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Question 5

What is the initiation step of RA?

Answer 5

Vascular injury and influx of immune cells and plasma into synovium

Question 6

Describe RA pathogenesis

Answer 6

APC presents antigen to T cell.
T-cells proliferate and activate
T-cells activate macrophages, which go on to induce joint tissue damage
T-cells prompt B-cells to produce antibodies

Question 7

What are the pro-inflammatory mediators that can be affected by DMARDs?

Answer 7

Cytokine proteins - TNF-alpha, Interleukins

Question 8

Which drugs block TNF-alpha? Which drug block IL-1? What drug blocks IL-6?

Answer 8

TNF-alpha blockers include Etanercept and Infliximab (biologics)
IL-1 blocker is Anakinra
IL-6 blocker is Tocilizumab

Question 9

Which two molecules of the immune system does methotrexate block?

Answer 9

T cells and macrophages