67 - Cellular and Molecular Aspects of Allergy Flashcards
Where are mast cells often found?
Body sites in contact with external environment: skin, gut, lung Often close to blood vessels, nerves, glands
Things that can stimulate mast cells 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8)
EXTERNAL FACTORS 1) Polybasic drugs (vancomycin, morphine) 2) Mechanical stimulation 3) UV light, heat 4) Allergen (IgE-mediated) 5) Stings 6) Osmotic stimuli (hypertonic saline) INTERNAL FACTORS 7) Activated C’ 8) Neuropeptides
Unusual feature of ITAMS
No integral kinase activity. Activity arises when they cluster
Atopy
Genetic predisposition to overproduction of IgE against a specific antigen
Diseases associated with asthma
RSV, rhinovirus, strongly implicated as risk factors in development of asthma, if caught at an early age.
Mechanism of degranulation
Channels form in membrane, through which granule contents exit cell
Subunits of FceRI
Alpha1, alpha2 make up binding site, beta (4-pass transmembrane loop), 2xgamma
FceRI subunits with ITAMs
Beta and gamma1, 2
Pathways stimulated by FceRI stimulation 1) 2) 3)
1) MAPK 2) NF-kB 3) Phospholipase C
Immediate factors released by activated mast cells
Histamine Heparan sulphate Tryptase TNFa These are preformed mediators
How long does it take for mast cells to release preformed mediators?
~30-45 seconds
Phases of mast cell response 1) 2) 3)
1) Immediate (preformed mediators) 2) Rapid (arachidonic acid mediators) 3) Slow (transcription, translation of cytokines)
Rapid mediators released by mast cells
Cyteinyl leukotrienes PGD2
How long does it take for mast cells to release rapid mediators
Peak around 10-30 minutes
Slow mediators released by mast cells
IL-4, IL-5, GM-CSF
Timeframe for slow action of mast cells
Occurs over hours to days
Action of histamine stimulation of H1 receptors 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)
1) Pain, itching 2) Bronchospasm 3) Mucus secretion 4) Vasodilation (hypotension) 5) Increased vascular lead (hypovolaemia) 6) Increased wakefulness (CNS activity)
Action of histamine stimulation of H2 receptors 1) 2)
1) Gastric acid secretion 2) Positive inotropic, chronotropic effect on heart (increases contractility, heart rate)
Cysteinyl leukotriene production
Glutathione-S-transferase converts LTA4 to LTC4
Cells producing cysteinyl leukotrienes
Macrophages, eosinophils, mast cells
Stimuli leading to LTC4 production 1) 2) 3)
1) Allergen 2) C5a 3) Platelet-activating factor