Lecture 8 Flashcards
Alterations in Immune Function (41 cards)
Types of Alterations in Immune Function (2)
- Excessive - autoimmunity, hypersensitivity
2. Deficient - immunodeficiency
Autoimmunity
Recognizes self antigens as foreign:
- tolerance of self-antigens in bone marrow and thymus
- passes multiple check points if non-tolerant cells escape
Types of Autoimmunity that Occur (3)
- Antigen mimicry (cross-reactive antigens)
- Release of sequestered antigens
- Lymphocyte defects (T/B cells)
Autoimmunity Genetic Factors
- Affects women more than men (7-10x more in some cases)
- MHC Associated - MHC antigen DR4 (causes 63% of rheumatoid arthritis and 73% of systemic lupus cases)
- Genetics is important for autoimmunity, but so is environment
Antigen Mimicry
- Similarity between pathogen and self antigens
- Several examples of this autoimmunity
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
- Campylobacter jejuni bacterial infection
- Only occurs in certain strains reacting with certain individuals
- Makes antibodies against myelin sheath of nerve which attacks nerves and affects communications
- Affects myelin sheaths of PNS and causes ascending paralysis (starts at feet and moves upwards)
- Signs appear 1-8 weeks after etiological event
- Peaks at 10-14 days and then descends gradually and causes long-term disabilities
Rheumatoid Fever
- Group A Streptococci
- Example of sequaelae after Group A infection
- Mimicry between M protein and myosin of heart
- Damages heart valves, subsequent attacks lead to further damage
Celiac Disease
- Cross-reactivity between gluten proteins and small intestine proteins
- Attacks damage villi and microvilli
- Decreases absorption, weight loss, anemia, diarrhea, and pain are all symptoms of Celiac Disease
Sequestered Antigen Release
- Antigens hidden during lymphocyte maturation: cornea, testicles, and brain
- Antigens are exposed and released after infections, injuries, or surgeries
- Leads to cases like corneal metling
Lymophocyte Defects
- Thymus gland defects - site of maturation for T-Cell, its breakdown of tolerance leads to autoimmunity and can cause things like lupus and diabetes
- B-Cell defects also leads to breakdown of tolerances
Multiple Sclerosis
- Autoimmune attacks myelin sheaths and oligodendrocytes that make the myelin for CNS neurons
- Etiology is complicated and can be T/B cell related or antibody related
- Impacts nerve transmission - decreased or blocked
Multiple Sclerosis + Genetics
- more common in females
- Northern European ancestry
- MHC antigen association (higher rates in identical twins than fraternal)
Multiple Sclerosis + Environment
- More common above the 37th parallel
- Viral infections may trigger it
- Environmental toxins or community clusters could also be an explanation but the clusters are too small to analyze
Hypersensitivity
- Damaging reactions of normal immune response
- Antibody-mediated: Types I, II, and II
- T-cell Mediated: Type IV
Type I Hypersensitivity
- Immediate hypersensitivity (minutes
- IgE-mediated response to allergens
- IgE prime mast cells (500,000 coat the cell)
- Mast cells and basophils release mediators
- Connected to seasonal allergies, asthma, hives, and anaphylaxis
Type I Hypersensitivity + Genetics
- T-cell must recognize allergens and mount IgE response
- Children born to allergic parents and more likely to be allergic
Type I Hypersensitivity Therapeutic Strategies
- Antihistamines primarily
- Immuno-therapy
Type II Hypersensitivity
- Antibodies target tissue-specific antigens
- Many diseases fall under this category
- Cell damage and lysis by complement and cellular (NK cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, etc) components occurs
Acute Transfusion Reaction
- Type II
- IgM antibodies react to environmental antigens in early life
- ABO mismatch
- Includes fever, chills, nausea/vomiting, hypotension, hematuria, anaphylaxis, and death
Delayed, Acquired Reactions
- Type II
- Antigen other than ABO
- Anamnestic - multiple transfusions, most common
- Primary - first transfusion (delay in antibody production)
Myasthenia Gravis
- Type II
- Autoimmunity at neuromuscular junction
- Antibodies bind to ACh receptors and block ACh binding
- Complement activation destroys membrane
- Symptoms: severe muscle weakness, double vision, drooping eyelids
Graves Disease
- Type II
- Antigens target thyroid stimulating hormone receptors
- Overproduction of thyroid hormones
- Hyperthyroidism symptoms - enlarged thyroid, hyperactive and tremors, tachycardia, weight loss with normal eating, heat sensitivity, bulging eyes
Acute Graft Rejection
-Type II
Host v.s Graft
-Introduction of foreign tissue antigens
-Recipient immune response against foreign tissue antigens
-Antibodies, complements, effector cells attack
-Attack transplant tissue or organ
-Inflammation and hemorrhaging (rejection)
Graft v.s. Host
NOT TYPE II
- Stem cell/bone marrow transplants
- Donor immune cells recognize recipient antigens as foreign
- “Autoimmunity” reaction against recipient tissues/organs
- Severe and wide-spread complications