16: Hypersensitivity Reactions Flashcards
Hypersensitivity
A state of heightened reactivity to antigen
Hypersensitivity reactions
Immune responses to innocuous antigens that lead to symptomatic reactions upon re-exposure
Hypersensitivity disease
Damage to host tissue caused by hypersensitivity reactions to typically innocuous antigens
Who classified hypersensitivity reactions into 4 types based on the types of antigens that are recognized and the types of immune responses involved?
Coombs and Gel
What does Type I hypersensitivity involve?
IgE-dependent triggering of mast cells
What does Type II hypersensitivity involve?
IgG antibody that is reactive with cell-surface or matrix antigens
What does Type III hypersensitivity involve?
Production of antigen:antibody complexes
What does Type IV hypersensitivity involve?
T cell-mediated hypersensitivity
Antigens that selectively stimulate TH2 cells that drive an IgE response are known as ______.
Allergens
What are the features that many allergens have in common? (4)
- Small proteins
- Highly soluble
- Carried on desiccated particles
- Upon contact with mucosa of airways, soluble antigens elute from the delivery particles and diffuse into the mucosa
Antigens presented to TH0 cells at low doses tend to elicit differentiation into ________.
TH2 CD4 cells
T or F: All common allergens have enzymatic activity.
F: most but not all
What is the prerequisite for type I hypersensitivity?
The initial response to an allergen must be an IgE response
What cytokines do TH2 cells produce that favor class switching to IgE?
IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13
What do TH2 cells do to favor class switching to IgE?
- Produce and secrete IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13
2. Upregulate expression of CD40L and CD23
What kind of cells primarily initiate type I hypersensitivity reactions?
Mast cells
What types of cells have FCeRI receptors?
Mast cells, eosinophils, and basophils
What is atopy?
A predisposition to allergy
T or F: Atopic individuals have higher levels of soluble IgE and more circulating eosinophils than non-atopic individuals.
T
Genes encoded on chromosomes ____ and ___ appear to be involved in allergic predisposition.
5 and 11
Chromosome 11 encodes a gene for _______.
The beta subunit of FCeRI
Chromosome 5 encodes a cluster of genes that encode _____________.
Proteins involved in isotype switching, eosinophil survival, and mast cell proliferation (IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-13, and GM-CSF)
T or F: HLA Class II polymorphism affects the IgE response to certain allergens.
T
What is the wheal and flare reaction?
An inflammatory reaction produced immediately at the injection site that is a result of mast cell degranulation in the skin
- Swelling due to increased permeability produces the wheal
- Redness is the flare
The late phase reaction to an allergen is mediated by _________.
Leukotrienes, chemokines, and cytokines produced by mast cells following IgE-mediated activation
What differentiates the late phase reaction from the wheal and flare reaction?
Late phase reaction is 6-8 hours post injection and consists of more widespread swelling
Airborne allergens irritate _______ and food-borne allergens irritate _______.
Airborne: Irritate mucosa of respiratory tract
Food-borne: Irritate mucosa of GI tract
What mechanisms have developed as a means of expulsion of parasites from the body?
Coughing and sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea
What is systemic anaphylaxis?
Wide-spread activation of mast cell degranulation causing both an increase in vascular permeability and a widespread constriction of smooth muscle
What is the most common cause of anaphylaxis?
IgE-mediated allergy to penicillin or other drugs
What is the treatment for anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions?
Injection of epinephrine
How doe epinephrine treat anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions?
It stimulates reformation of tight junctions between endothelial cells, reducing permeability of blood vessels, diminishing tissue swelling, raising blood pressure, and stimulating the heart