(8) Autoimmune Diseases Flashcards
What are the 3 factors that influence autoimmune disease?
- immune regulation
- genes
- environment
What important process happens to the T cells in the thymus?
Central tolerance
Where does deletion of auto-reactive B cells occur?
In the bone marrow
What are MHC Class I molecules encoded by?
Encoded by genes in HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C
What cells are MHC Class I molecules present on?
All nucleated cells
MHC Class I molecules present antigens to which cells?
CD8+ T cell
When a TCR on an immature CD8+ T cell recognises an antigen presented by an MHC 1, what does it become?
A mature cytotoxic T cell (Tc)
What are MHC Class II molecules encoded by?
Encoded by genes in HLA-DP, HLA-DQ, HLA-DR
What cells are MHC Class II molecules present on?
Dedicated antigen-presenting cells (APCs)
such as dendritic cells, mononuclear phagocytes, some endothelial cells, thymic epithelial cells, and B cells
MHC Class II molecules present antigens to which cells?
CD4+ T cells
When a TCR on an immature CD4+ T cells recognised an antigen presented an MHC Class II molecule, what does it become?
A mature helper T cell (Th1 or Th2)
Give 3 examples of ‘organ-specific’ autoimmune disorders
- type 1 diabetes
- graves disease
- multiple sclerosis
What is the relative risk to siblings compared to general population in Graves disease?
15%
Give 2 examples of ‘systemic’ autoimmune disorders
- systemic lupus erythematosus
- rheumatoid arthritis
Autoimmunity can be related to FoxP3 mutation. Explain this
Mutation of FoxP3 causes failure to develop regulatory T cells - severe autoimmunity from birth
Autoimmunity can be related to PTPN22 mutation. Explain this
Mutations in PTPN22 cause T cells to be activated more easily - stronger immune response in general
Mutation in PTPN22 is related to which autoimmune disorders?
- type 1 diabetes
- rheumatoid arthritis
- autoimmune thyroid disease
How is age linked to autoimmunity?
Autoimmunity is more common in the elderly
What are some other causative associations of autoimmunity?
- sex (hormonal influence)
- age
- sequestered antigens
- environmental triggers
How might sequestered antigens cause autoimmunity?
May be recognised as foreign by the immune system (eg. cell nucleus, eye, testis)
Sequestered antigens are those that cannot interact with the immune system during development as they are anatomically sequestered and hence the lymphocytes specific for such sequestered antigens are not deleted
Give some examples of environmental triggers that may lead to autoimmunity
- infection
- trauma-tissue damage
- smoking
In what way may infections cause autoimmunity as well as a normal immune response?
Infections activate the immune system generally
Molecular mimicry - eg. in rheumatic fever, antibodies against M protein of Streptococcus also react against the glycoproteins of the heart
Changes in amount or nature of auto antigens may cause autoimmunity. Give an example of this in terms of rheumatoid arthritis
Citrullination of proteins make them more immunogenic, which leads to rheumatoid arthritis
Changes in amount or nature of auto antigens may cause autoimmunity. Give example of this in terms of coeliac disease
Tissue transglutamase alters gluten to help it bind to HLA-DQ, leading to coeliac disease
Changes in amount or nature of auto antigens may cause autoimmunity. Give an example of this in terms of SLE
Failure to clear apoptotic debris increases availability of sequestered antigens inside the cell, leading to SLE
In what ways do T cells cause inflammation?
- by inflammatory cytokines (macrophages etc)
- by helping B cells make autoantibodies (plasma cells)
What are the features of auto reactive B cells and autoantibodies?
- directly cytotoxic
- activation of complement
- interfere with normal physiological function
General inflammation and end-organ damage