L10 - K Okkenhaug - Autoimmunity Flashcards
whats teh hygiene ypothesis
that the immune system is no longer conditioned by early exposure to infection.
autoimmunity has increased as infections such as measles, mumps and TB have declined in incidence.
more recent proposal is that it is not necessarily infection with pathogens that condition the immune system early in life but exposure to diverse commensals (‘friendly’ bacteria) that comprise your microbiome
isit possible that some autoimmune conditions actually arent auto?
yes!
caused by infectious organisms that have not been identified:
is there a spectrum of auto immune diseases?
yes!
Common organs affected in organ-specific autoimmunity include thyroid (X ,X), adrenals, stomach (X) and pancreas (X). This may be because ….
Common organs affected in organ-specific autoimmunity include thyroid (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Grave’s disease), adrenals, stomach (pernicious anaemia) and pancreas (type 1 diabetes). This may be because they are well vascularised and make organ-specific proteins.
There are __ general types of mechanism for autoimmune conditions
There are three general types of mechanism
No autoimmune diseases are mediated by ___ which is characteristic of type I hypersensitivity.
No autoimmune diseases are mediated by IgE which is characteristic of type I hypersensitivity.
what are the 3 general mechanisms of autoimmunity
- Direct antibody mediated effects
- Immune complex mediated effects.
- T cell mediated (cellular immune) (e.g. T1D (type 1 diabetes or IDDM), RA (rheumatoid arthritis), MS (multiple sclerosis)
describe . Direct antibody mediated effects
- almost all autoimmune patients have some autoantibodies
- may be directly effective / or a secondary consequence
- ppor card i know
describe graves disease
Graves disease: This is due to antibody to TSH receptor. Unlike the natural ligand, TSH, the antibody is not subject to feedback inhibition, resulting in overproduction of thyroid hormones and hyperthyroidism.
Graves may be a ‘Th2 type’ response, in which there is little inflammation or lymphocyte infiltration.
describe Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is mostly a ‘Th1 response’ as Th1 lymphocytes infiltrate the organ.
Nevertheless, antibodies are generated which block hormone production, causing hypothyroidism.
describe Myasthenia Gravis
autoantibodies to the acetylcholine receptor diminish neuromuscular transmission from cholinergic neurons by blocking the binding of acetylcholine and by causing downregulation (degradation) of its receptor.
Rheumatic fever is another example of direct tissue pathology following antibody binding.
(direct antibody effects)
describe how Immune complex mediated effects can cause autoimmunity
- immune complexes cleared by binding comlement components
- which bind complement receptor 1 on erythrocytes
- cleared in liver and spleen
certain
organs are especially
sensitive to immune complex deposition,
which in particualr
Kidney!
describe Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
wide variety of anti-cytoplasmic and anti-nuclear auto-antibodies.
characteristic ‘butterfly’ or ‘wolf’ rash on the face.
significant depletion of complement
complement deficiencies that impair immune clearance, such as C1, C2, C4 are predisposing factors.
SLE is more common in African and Asian women.
Immune complexes fail to be cleared effectively and are deposited on endothelium, kidney, joints and elsewhere causing inflammation
describe rheumatoid arthritis
T cell mediated
describe t cell mediated autoimmune disease
T cell mediated damage leads to tissue destruction without requiring the production of autoantibody.
Mechanisms may include:
- cytotoxicity by CD8 T cells;
- direct destruction by TNF;
- recruitment of macrophages and subsequent bystander killing;
- and induction of apoptosis by Fas Ligand.
toughy
describe how molecular mimicry can lead to autoimmune diseases?
are you aware of how the main immunosuppressive drugs work
