Autoimmunity

Question 1

what is autoimmunity?

Answer 1

when the immune systems self-tolerant mechanisms break down causing autoreactive antibodies and T cells to develop that recognise self-antigens.

Question 2

remember
An individual may have more than one autoimmune disease at the same time.

Question 3

what can increase likelihood of developing certain autoimmune diseases?

Answer 3

genetics

Question 4

are men or women more likely to develop autoimmune diseases?

Answer 4

women

Question 5

how do antibodies cause disease?

Answer 5

Human autoantibodies cause the symptoms of disease through binding to receptors

Question 6

how do antibodies cause graves disease?

Answer 6

they bind to receptor for TSH, stimulates the thyroid

Question 7

how do antibodies cause pernicious anaemia?

Answer 7

they bind to intrinsic factor so B12 cant bind and be absorbed

Question 8

what is immunopathological damage?

Answer 8

damage to tissues in autoimmune conditions

Question 9

what can cause immunopathological damage?

Answer 9

autoantigens
immune complexes

Question 10

how to autoantigens cause immunopathological damage?

Answer 10

Autoantigen is localised to a particular organ, get Type II hypersensitivity reaction occurs which leads to damage by complement activation and phagocyte degranulation

Question 11

how do immune complexes cause immunopathological damage?

Answer 11

Immune complexes appear to be pathogenic in systemic autoimmunity, get Type III hypersensitivity causing acute tissue damage

Question 12

what is Sjögrens syndrome?

Answer 12

chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder that can occur with other autoimmune conditions (especially rheumatic ones).

Question 13

are most patients with Sjögrens syndrome men or women?

Answer 13

women

Question 14

what is Sjögrens syndrome characterised by?

Answer 14

lymphocytes in salivary and lacrimal glands causing slow destruction and replacement of glandular tissue with fibrotic tissue. This results in lack of saliva and tear secretion

Question 15

what are the oral manifestations of Sjögrens syndrome?

Answer 15

caries, oral candida (thrush), dry lips and tongue

Question 16

how are autoimmune disorders treated?

Answer 16

• Metabolic control in organ specific disorders e.g. anti-thyroid drugs or inject vitamin B12
  
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs e.g. NSAID’s, corticosteroids
  • Immunosuppressive drugs
    
    • Monoclonal antibodies to block certain cytokines and their receptors to inhibit the immune response and alleviates the symptoms