Auto - Inflammtory Diseases Flashcards

1
Q

What is the difference between innate and adaptive immune system?

A
  • innate immunity - body immediate, general defence against pathogens 🦠
  • adaptive immunity - specialised, targeted response that developed over time
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2
Q

What is the difference between ** auto inflammation 🔥 ** and ** auto - immunity **?

A

✅ auto inflammation -> where the body will mistakenly trigger inflammation without an external threat.

✅ Autoimmunity —> when the body attacks its own tissues and cells

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3
Q

What sets the boundaries for auto immunity?

A
  • mutations associated with cells and molecules invoved in the adaptive immune system (ie specific + targeted).
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4
Q

What sets the boundaries for auto - inflammation?

A
  • mutations in cells associated with innate immunity at disease prone sites (rmb innate immunity associated with inflammation)
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5
Q

What are familial monogenic diseases?

A

🧬 genetic disorders, that are caused by a single gene.
The disease is often inherited within a predictable pattern within families, and can result in specific health problems or conditions.

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6
Q

What are familial monogenic diseases caused by?

A
  • mutations in a single gene (ie in CF, disease is caused due to mutations in the CFTR gene and thus non functional CFTR)
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7
Q

What are the general characteristics of monogenic auto - inflammatory diseases?

A

unprovoked attacks of inflammation (ie may not be due to infection etc there is no stimulus)
absence of high tier autoantibodies or antigenic specific T cells , ie the adaptive immune response - ie the inflammation seen is largely mediated by the cells and molecules of the innate system.
pre - existing errors of the innate immune system — ie significant boost predisposition.

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8
Q

Give a few examples of familial monogenic auto inflammatory disorders?

A
  • 🥵 familial Mediterranean fever
  • 🥶 CAPS (cyropyrin associated periodic syndromes).
  • Blau syndrome
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9
Q

Which gene is mutated in Familial Mediterranean Fever and what are the clincal features / symptoms of FMF?

A

Gene : 🧬 MEFV protein
Clinical Features : periodic fevers lasting 3 0 7hrs), inflammation of serous tissue (ie lining the heart and inner abdomen) , arthritis.

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10
Q

Which gene is mutated in Cryopyrin - associated period syndromes (ie FCAS, MWS, and NOMID) and what are the clincal features / symptoms of CAPS?

A
  • 🧬 NLRP3 gene
    Clinical features :
  • 🥶 cold induced autoinflammation
  • 👂 cochlear inflammation
  • 🥵 fevers
  • 🤧 sterile menigitis
  • 🦴 Bone lesions.
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11
Q

Which gene is mutated Blau Syndrome and what are the clincal features / symptoms of Blau Syndrome ?

A

🧬 mutated gene : NOD2
Clinical features :
- 🍬 granulomatous dermatitis
- uveitis (inflammation of the inner eye) n
- arthritis 👵

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12
Q

Are these diseases, FMF, CAPS and Blau syndrome, autosomal dominant or recessive?

A

FMF - AR
BS - AD
CAPS - AD

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13
Q

Give 3 examples of the cryopyrin associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) diseases?

A
  • ✅ familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome (FCAS)
  • ✅ Muckle - Wells syndrome (MWS)
  • ✅ NOMID/ CINCA
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14
Q

What is CAPS?

A

A spectrum of disease ranging from mildFCAS to severe NOMID/CINCA. They are rare and hereditary inflammatory diseases that each encompass their own 3 phenotypes.

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15
Q

CAPS
What is FCAS and and what are the symptoms?

A

Familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome.
- inflammation that occurs when weather is cold 🥶and temperatures are low ❄️
- symptoms : rash on the skin, arthralgia (joint pain), conjunctivitis (red eye)

Mild caps

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16
Q

CAPS :
What is MWS and what are the symptoms?

A

Muckle - Wells Syndrome
CAPS characterised by skin / urticaria rash ** and ** sensorineural deafness 👂 🧏🏽‍♀️

Between mild and severe CAPS

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17
Q

CAPS
What is NOMID/CINCA and what are the symptoms?

A

A more sporadic (ie occurs randomly) and severe CAPS disease.
Symptoms include : progressive chronic meningitis, visual 👁️ and intellectual 🧠 damage, and destructive arthritis 🦴

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18
Q

Auto - immune diseases tend to have flares what are these?

A

✅ periodic fever syndromes where the disease will amplify and worsen and then go back to normal state periodically and sporadically.
💊 there isn’t necessarily a particular target for most of these types of conditions

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19
Q

What is caspase 1?

A

A converting enzyme that cleaves other proteins such as ** precursors for inflammatory cytokines IL - 1B and IL - 18 **

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20
Q

What are NLR proteins?

A

Other wise known as “Nucleotide - binding Oligomerization Domain - like receptors (NOD)” are a type of protein/ receptor that detect harmful pathogens 🦠 in our cells.

When they recognise these threats, they triger a series of signals that will ➕ activate our immune system to defend against the invading cells.

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21
Q

Give two examples of inflammatory cytokines?

A
  • IL - 1B
  • IL - 18.
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22
Q

What are inflammasomes

A
  • 🥵 receptors of the **innate immune system* (obvs, they are inflammatory) —> they are large protein receptor structures made out of NLR proteins.
  • ✅ they regulate the activation of capsase 1 and they can induce inflammation in response to infectious microbes and molecules deceived from host proteins.
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23
Q

Describe the structure of the NLRP3 inflammasomes?

A

They are composed of a N - terminal effector domain that comprise capsase recruitment domains (CARD) and pyrin domains.

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24
Q

What does activation fo the NLR lead to ?

A

Triggering of severe important immune processes such as inflammasomes formation (lots of NLR proteins conjugating to form multi protein complexes, that activate the release of pro - inflammatory cytokines IL -1 beta and IL -18).
Induction of antimicrobial responses and initiation of cell death (pyroptosis to avoid spread of pathogens by removing infected cells).

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25
Q

How does activation of the NLRP3 inflammasomes lead to the release of pro - inflammatory cytokines?

A

NLR proteins - in response to threat will form a complex , ie the NLRP3 inflammasomes.

This inflammasomes will activate procapsase 1 by cleaving it into its active form capsase 1.

Capsase 1 will then act enzymatically and will cleave IL- 1Beta and IL - 18 into their active form so we get an increase int he cytokines IL- beta and IL - 18.

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26
Q

What is caspase 1 and what is its function?

A
  • enzyme
  • function : cleave other proteins to ** activate apoptosis** and pryoptosis. Will also activate pro - inflammatory cytokines (ie IL - 1 beta)
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27
Q

What is IL - 1 beta and its function?

A
  • interleukin involved in the promotion of inflammation 🥵, induction of fever 🤒, and activation of immune cells 👺 - thus is * pro - inflammatory*.

🤢 it also has a role in inflammatory disease and also contributes to response against infection.

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28
Q

What is IL - 18?

A
  • interleukin involved in enhancing the production of IFN - Y, as well as contributing to the immune response, and defence against certain infections.

It also has a role in auto - immune and inflammatory response.

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29
Q

What are PAMPS and DAMPS?

A

PAMPS - pathogen - associated molecular patterns that are recognised by immune cells indicating the presence of pathogens. They are released from the pathogen.

DAMPS - damage associated molecular patterns - released by injured or damaged cells into the extracelluar space that will signal danger to the immune system.

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30
Q

How do PAMPS and DAMPS also lead to the activation of a pro - inflammatory response?

A
  • They are detected by the immune receptors ie PRR and TLR
  • detection leads to changes in the formation of NLRP inflammasomes which will multimerize.
  • CARD domain of the inflammasomes picks up the pro capsase enzyme and activates it to capsase 1 (active form ✅).
  • Active Capsase 1 will then convert pro - IL to active forms (ie IL - 1Beta and IL - 18) which are then released from teh cell leasing to inflammation and release of inflammatory cytokines.
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31
Q

What is the function of the CARD (capsase recruitment domains) of the inflammasomes?

A

Activate pro capsases into active form , ie ** capsase 1 **

32
Q

Describe in very basic steps what the NLRP inflammasomes is and how it initiates the inflammatory response via a cascade?

A

NLRP inflammasomes - multi protein complex involved in initiation of an inflammatory response.

  1. Activation of inflammasomes from NLR proteins.
  2. Oligomerization
  3. Caspase 1 activation from pro caspsase by CARD domain of the inflammasomes.
  4. Cleavage of the pro interleukins by activated caspase 1
  5. Release of pro - inflammatory cytokines — lead to initiation and amplification of the inflammatory response.
33
Q

The activation of NLRP Inflammasomes and the subsequent release of pro - inflammatory cytokines are essential for effective immune responses, but dysregulation can contribute to what?

A
  • various inflammatory diseases.
34
Q

There are lots of different ways we can cleave and thus activate pro capsase into capsase 1. Give two examples?

A
  • flagellin
  • sensor cleavage
35
Q

Different auto - inflammatory diseases can be mediated by activated inflammasomes and IL - Beta production - how?

A

Mutations to the genes that are involved in inflammation pathway described
- ie CAPS involves mutations to functional NLRP and thus the whole inflammasomes is disrupted
- FMF - pyrin is the gene that is altered.

All of these gene mutations increase the ACTIVATION OF THE INFLAMMASOMES (DUUHHH ITS AN INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE) —> INCREASE IL - BETA WHICH CAN LEAD TO IT BEING RELEASED.

36
Q

What is IL - 1?

A

Interleukin 1 - a family of pro inflammatory cytokines ➕ 🥵

  • eg IL - 1 Beta or IL - 18
37
Q

What does mutations in the genes involved in inflammasome formation and expression lead to?

A

Constant reactivation and increase in IL - 1.

38
Q

Explain why we would want to target the IL - 1 receptor when treating auto - inflammatory diseases?

A

Targeting the IL - 1 receptor will prevent the excess IL -1 binding and eliciting a deleterious inflammatory response , ie inflammatory disease.

39
Q

Describe how IL - 1RA antagonists work?

A

They bind to IL 1 receptors and prevent binding from IL1 molecules themselves -> thus blocks the effects of IL -1.

40
Q

What do we mean when we say the clinical features of auto - inflammatory diseases are shared among other inflammatory disorders?

A

They have similar symptms and presentations. They may be driven either by IL -1 or conditions associated with IL -1 .

41
Q

How can DAMPS generate inflammasomes?

A

Via sterile attack where breakdown fo damaged cells results in the release of DAMPS. These will activate inflammasomes via the toll - like receptors.

42
Q

How do PAMPS activate the inflammasome?

A

Via microbial attack - ie they are released from the microbe 🦠 that infected the body, the host.

43
Q

Activation of the inflammasomes can lead to chronic or acute inflammation. Is chronic low grade inflammation associated with ageing also mediated through the inflammasomes?

A

NO - it is not driven by inflammasomes, however it may be involved. .

44
Q

How can a person with an auto - inflammatory conditions flares lead to them having tissue damage and thus multiple co - morbidities?

A
  • in a flare up ie of patients with CAPS, they will have elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines and thus >er release of interleukins release.
    If this was to happen in a regular basis - damage of tissues essp neural tissue as there is an inability to repair the damage tissue).
  • may lead to deafness, trouble with eyesight etc.
45
Q

Give an example of an acute phase protein?

A

CRP - an enzyme produced in the liver during inflammation.

46
Q

How are indications different between healthy and ppl with a flare up of an inflammatory chronic diseases?

A

In a flare up patients tend to produce these APPs at high levels and their CROp at high level for no obvious reason —> high levels may lead to damage in the tissues.

47
Q

Name 3 anti - IL -1 beta biological drugs that we can use to to treat autoinflammatory conditions? i

A
  • 💊 Anakinra
  • 💊 Rilanocept
  • 💊 Canakinumab.
48
Q

What is the mechanism of action of Anakinra?

A

It is a recombinant competitive Human IL - 1 receptor antagonist.

Competes with IL-1α and IL-1β for the IL-1 receptor.
●Blocks binding of IL-1 to the IL-1 receptor.

49
Q

What is the targeted cytokine for Anakinra?

A

IL - 1alpha
IL - 1Beta

50
Q

Some side effects of Anakinra?

A
  • 💉 injection site reactions
  • 😷 ** URTI**
  • 🤒 ** cases of localised herpes** 🦠
51
Q

Describe the structure of Anakinra?

A
  • ✅ recombinant interleukins (IL) - receptor antagonist.
  • ✅ its a slightly modified version of the Human - IL -1 receptor antagonist protein, differing by addition of a single methionine residue at the amino terminus.
52
Q

What is Anakinra commonly used to treat and how does it lead to benefit?

A
  • Rheumatoid arthritis.
    ✅ it blocks the activity of IL - 1 in synovial joints
    ✅ It reduces the inflammatory and joint destructive processes associated with RA
53
Q

What is the structure of Canakinumab?

A
  • a human IgG MCAB
54
Q

What is the mechanism of action of Canakinumab?

A
  1. It binds with high affinity and selectivity to human interleukins 1 - beta (I1 - 1Beta)
  2. It neutralises IL - 1Beta activity by blocking interaction with the IL - 1Beta receptor.
    ✅ It can thus be used for the treatment of gouty arthritis.
55
Q

What is Canakinumab used to treat?

A

Gouty Arthritis

56
Q

What is the structure of Rilonacept?

A

A fusion protein consisting of IL -1 receptor extracellular Domains AND the Fc portion of human IgG1 (ie the single long bit on the bottom).

It is a genetically engineered IL - 1 “trap”.

57
Q

What is the mechanism of Rilanocept?

A

It binds and neutralises IL-1Beta to prevent its interaction with surface IL -1 receptors.

Ie it acts as a “decoy receptor” and thus prevents interaction of IL - 1 with the cell surface receptor.

58
Q

What is a NOD sensor?

A

Type of protein found inside our cells that helps to detect and respond to potential threats (ie harmful bacteria).

59
Q

How NOD sensors respond to the presence of harmful threats, ie bacteria in cells?

A
  • ✅ trigger cellular responses that lead to an immune response to defend the cell and body against pathogens.
  • ✅ stimulates anti - microbial peptide (AMP) and type 1 interferon protein (IFNbeta) which are both means of clearing the harmful substance to treat or avoid the disease
60
Q

Give two examples of an auto - inflammatory disease that is associated with the NOD 2 gene?

A

Blau syndrome - mutation in the NOD gene will lead to chronic inflammation affecting skin (granulomatous) ,joints and eyes.

Crohn’s disease - variations int he NOD2 gene are associated with increased risk of Crohn’s disease.

61
Q

Mutations of the NOD gene can lead to exaggerated stimulation of the immune system and thus the exaggerated production of type 1 interferon - What will this lead to regarding the immune system?

A

⭐️ Type 1 interferons elicit antiviral 🦠, anti proliferative, and anti microbial states by binding to the type 1 interferon receptor.

Exaggerated production of type 1 interferon will lead to dysregulation of the immune system.
- ❌ now, instead of removal of pathogens, the immune system will also attack the body’s OWN tissues - can lead to the development of conditions like Blaus Syndrome.

62
Q

What is TNF alpha?

A

An inflammatory cytokines, produced by macrophages and monocyte during ACUTE inflammation; responsible for a diverse range of signalling effects within cells that lead to necrosis or apoptosis. \

✅ It also has a role in driving 🛞inflammatory responses by directly inducing inflammatory gene expression and also inducing cell death 💀

63
Q

Which cells produce and release TNF - alpha?

A

Monocytes and macrophages.

64
Q

Whats the rationale for TNF- alpha having a role in necrosis and apoptosis?

A

We dont need or want to be in a state of inflammation ALL the time - as we saw chronic inflammation can lead to tissue damage over time!

65
Q

What usually happens to misfolded proteins in the cell?

A

They are degraded in the endoplasmic reticulum. ** (They can accumulate int he ER however leasing to ER stress) **

66
Q

What is the unfolded protein response and what proteins does it involve?

A

A homeostatic response to the accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
- ✅ It keeps the cells folding capacity within balance so that there is enough protein present for function, however those that are unfolded or misfolded are properly removed.
- it involves signalling pathways mediated by IRE1, PERK and ATF6

67
Q

What will an imbalance to the UPR (unfolded protein response) lead to?

A
  • ER (endoreticulum) stress and increased accumulation/ conc of unfolded proteins —> if this persists this may lead to cell dysfunction and may contribute to various diseases.
68
Q

What are the complications of sustained ER stress? (Ie accumulation fo unfolded or misfolded proteins)?

A

🤒 Accumulation of misfolded protiens - cell dysfunction - various diseases.

69
Q

What may lead to the presence of misfolded proteins that will need to be cleared in the cell to avoid ER stress?

A
  • gain in function mutations, associated with auto inflammatory diseases —> leads to production of abnormal proteins.
70
Q

What is the problem if a cell, ie in inflammatory disease, acquires a gaon a of function mutation?

A
  • misfolded protiens may accumulate - ER stress - overwhelm fo the cell machinery
  • in cells that turnover very slowly or not at all (ie neurones) —-> this may inhibit translation and may lead to cell death.
71
Q

How does the UPR work out avoid ER stress caused by accumulation of misfolded proteins?

A

🦥 it slowssss down protein synthesis to restore balance and alleviate the burden on the ER which is responsible for protien folding and also clearance of the misfolded protiens.

72
Q

What is the link between the UPR and auto - inflammatory disease?

A

🌟mis folded proteins that accumulate can extracellularly, can drive IL - 1Beta production (PRO INFLAMM) → the lack of ability to get rid of the misfolded protein can implicate autoinflammatory diseases.

73
Q

Give two examples of how UPR may lead to neurological disease?

A

ERAD - endoplasmic reticulum associated protein ** degradation ** 🛻 🏗️

In normal cells as described we have a balance between ERAD and protein folding.

In ALS we have UPR dysfunction —-> breakdown of protien folding and more destruction of proteins via ERAD pathway —> lack of proteins for the brain - overtime, loss of function to the brain + Px develope a neurological condition.

74
Q

Give one example of a metabolic disease, neurodegenerative disease and neoplasticism disease and immune disorder that are associated with ER protein folding defects and the UPR?

A

Metabolic disease - Insulin resistance
Neuro- degenerative - Alzheimer’s and ALS
Neoplasticism - Glioblastoma
Immune disorder - Viral infection

75
Q

What triggers the UPR response?

A

ER stress where there is an imbalance between the proteins being made and the ability of the cells endoplasmic reticulum to properly fold and process the proteins.

76
Q

What are 5 differences between autoinflammation and auto immunity?

A

Auto inflammation —> innate immune response uses macrophages signals via the NLR proteins), few autoantibodies, early onset (ie in childhood).

Auto immunity —> adaptive immune system, response uses T and B cells, signalling is through the TLR, autoantibodies are invovled and its late onset (except for monogenic dispense).