A/42 Flashcards
Pathomechanism of autoimmunity
loss / bypass of self tolerance
3 ways of producing peripheral self-tolerance
- clonal anergy
- T-reg suppression
- Deletion by apoptosis
What is the central tolerance mechanism?
negative selection by apoptosis (and modification of receptors for B cells)
Failure of self tolerance mechanisms (5)
- Bypass T-cell anergy
- Molecular mimicry
- Modification of molecule
- Polyclonal activation
- Failure of T-cell mediated suppression
Example of autoimmune molecular mimicry disease
Tonsilitis follicularis
How does modification of molecule bypass the self tolerance?
If epitope is partially digested by cell / infection, it does not count as self tolerated anymore and thus can be attacked by own lymphocytes
Pathogenetic factors of autoimmunity (5)
- Genetic factors (HLA gene)
- Infections (Ag release)
- UV radiation
- Smoking
- Gender (hormonal effects)
How does gender affect autoimmunity?
Women have 8-12% more chance to generate an autoimmune disease
How does smoking help generate autoimmunity?
It chemically modifies molecules