AUTOIMMUNE Flashcards
- What is induced by immunization in the context of immune tolerance?
a) Allergic response
b) Immune activation
c) Immune suppression
d) Non-reactivity to self
d) Non-reactivity to self
Rationale: Immune tolerance refers to the immune system’s ability to not respond to certain antigens. Immunization can be used to induce this non-reactivity to self, thereby training the immune system to avoid responding to its own body’s cells and proteins.
- What is the primary location where self-reactive T cells are destroyed as a part of central tolerance?
a) Bone marrow
b) Liver
c) Thymus
d) Spleen
c) Thymus
Rationale: Central tolerance involves the elimination of self-reactive lymphocytes. For T cells, this process primarily takes place in the thymus.
- Where are self-reactive B cells typically destroyed?
a) Thymus
b) Spleen
c) Bone marrow
d) Lymph nodes
c) Bone marrow
Rationale: Central tolerance involves the elimination of self-reactive B cells primarily in the bone marrow.
- Which cells play a central role in maintaining the balance in peripheral tolerance?
a) Memory B cells
b) Neutrophils
c) Regulatory T cells
d) Basophils
c) Regulatory T cells
Rationale: Regulatory T cells, often referred to as Tregs, are essential for maintaining peripheral tolerance by ensuring a balance between different immune responses and preventing harmful autoimmune reactions.
- Th1 cells are primary mediators of which condition?
a) Allergies
b) Autoimmune diseases
c) Bacterial infections
d) Viral infections
b) Autoimmune diseases
Rationale: Th1 cells release proinflammatory cytokines and are major mediators of autoimmune diseases, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells.
- What do Th2 cells predominantly release?
a) Proinflammatory cytokines
b) Non-inflammatory cytokines
c) Histamines
d) Antibodies
b) Non-inflammatory cytokines
Rationale: Th2 cells are known to release cytokines that are not primarily inflammatory and are often involved in counteracting the proinflammatory response of Th1 cells.
- Loss of immune tolerance can lead to which of the following?
a) Immunosuppression
b) Autoimmune diseases
c) Reduced antibody production
d) Enhanced wound healing
b) Autoimmune diseases
Rationale: Loss of immune tolerance means the immune system might start reacting against self-antigens, which can lead to autoimmune diseases where the body attacks its own cells and tissues.
- Which describes the immune system’s random generation of sites directed against molecular configurations?
a) Immune memory
b) Antibody diversity
c) Immune tolerance
d) Peripheral defense
b) Antibody diversity
Rationale: The immune system’s ability to randomly generate various antibody sites ensures a wide range of antibody diversity, allowing it to recognize and combat a vast array of antigens.
- What can result when the immune system reacts with self-antigens?
a) Immunodeficiency
b) Enhanced immune memory
c) Autoimmune diseases
d) Immune acceleration
c) Autoimmune diseases
Rationale: If the immune system reacts with self-antigens, it can mistakenly attack the body’s own cells and tissues, leading to autoimmune diseases.
- Which cells release proinflammatory cytokines in response to foreign antigens?
a) Th1
b) Th2
c) Memory B cells
d) Basophils
a) Th1
Rationale: Th1 cells respond to foreign antigens by releasing proinflammatory cytokines to combat the perceived threat.
- Why do healthy individuals express detectable levels of autoimmune antibodies?
a) To combat infections
b) As a result of vaccine administration
c) To maintain homeostasis
d) Due to a genetic mutation
c) To maintain homeostasis
Rationale: Autoantibodies in healthy individuals can serve a regulatory function and play a role in maintaining homeostasis, ensuring the body’s internal environment remains stable.
- Which mechanism is responsible for removing aged red cells from human circulation?
a) Immune tolerance
b) Natural mechanism
c) Peripheral defense
d) Central tolerance
b) Natural mechanism
Rationale: Aged red cells are naturally removed from human circulation to maintain the health and functionality of the bloodstream.
- Which cells primarily mediate allergic reactions?
a) Th1
b) Th2
c) Regulatory T cells
d) Memory B cells
b) Th2
Rationale: Th2 cells are involved in immune responses against parasites and are also associated with allergic reactions.
- The immune system’s inability to attack its own cells and proteins is a description of:
a) Immune activation
b) Immune suppression
c) Immune memory
d) Immune tolerance
d) Immune tolerance
Rationale: Immune tolerance refers to the immune system’s ability to differentiate between foreign invaders and its own body, preventing it from attacking its own cells and proteins.
- Which organ is NOT directly involved in the process of central tolerance?
a) Thymus
b) Bone marrow
c) Lymph nodes
d) Liver
d) Liver
Rationale: Central tolerance involves the thymus (for T cells) and bone marrow (for B cells) in the elimination of self-reactive lymphocytes. The liver is not directly involved in this process.
- What causes damage in autoimmune diseases?
a) Infections
b) Foreign bodies
c) Autoantibodies or autoreactive cells
d) External injuries
c) Autoantibodies or autoreactive cells
Rationale: Autoimmune diseases result from the body’s immune system attacking its own tissues, which is mediated by autoantibodies or autoreactive cells.
- Which cell type is often involved in triggering autoimmune reactions?
a) CD8 T-cells
b) B-cells
c) CD4 helper T-cells
d) Macrophages
c) CD4 helper T-cells
Rationale: In autoimmune diseases, self-reactive CD4 helper T-cells are generally associated with inducing either cell-mediated or antibody-mediated autoimmune reactions.
- Which of the following is a systemic autoimmune disease?
a) Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
b) Myasthenia Gravis
c) Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
d) Grave’s Disease
c) Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Rationale: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) affects multiple organ systems, classifying it as a systemic autoimmune disease, whereas the others are more organ-specific.
- What is the primary treatment approach for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?
a) Hormone Replacement
b) Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
c) Cholinesterase Inhibitors
d) Plasmapheresis
b) Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Rationale: RA is primarily treated with anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation and pain associated with the condition.
- Which autoimmune disease involves the immune system attacking the thyroid cells, reducing thyroid hormone production?
a) Grave’s Disease
b) Multiple Sclerosis
c) Pernicious Anemia
d) Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
d) Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Rationale: In Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, the immune system targets the thyroid cells, leading to an inability of the thyroid gland to produce sufficient thyroid hormones.
- Which treatment is beneficial for Myasthenia Gravis?
a) Splenectomy
b) Cholinesterase Inhibitors and Thymectomy
c) Plasmapheresis
d) Metabolic Control
b) Cholinesterase Inhibitors and Thymectomy
Rationale: Myasthenia Gravis patients benefit from cholinesterase inhibitors (to improve muscle function) and thymectomy (removal of the thymus gland, which often shows abnormalities in these patients).
- Which autoimmune disease primarily affects the nervous system and leads to damage in the brain and spinal cord?
a) Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
b) Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
c) Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
d) Grave’s Disease
b) Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Rationale: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) targets the central nervous system, leading to inflammation, damage, and scarring of the myelin sheath in the brain and spinal cord.
- Which treatment approach involves the removal of certain components from blood?
a) Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
b) Splenectomy
c) Plasmapheresis
d) Hormone Replacement
c) Plasmapheresis
Rationale: Plasmapheresis is a process that filters the blood to remove harmful antibodies or other components, and it’s used in certain autoimmune conditions like SLE and GBS.
- Which autoimmune disease results in muscle weakness due to a breakdown in the communication between nerves and muscles?
a) Myasthenia Gravis
b) Pernicious Anemia
c) Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
d) Type 1 Diabetes
a) Myasthenia Gravis
Rationale: Myasthenia Gravis involves the production of antibodies that block or destroy muscle receptor sites, leading to a decline in muscle communication and resultant muscle weakness.
- Which condition involves the body’s immune system targeting the intrinsic factor, leading to a deficiency of vitamin B12?
a) Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
b) Pernicious Anemia
c) Grave’s Disease
d) Good Pasture Syndrome
b) Pernicious Anemia
Rationale: Pernicious Anemia is caused when the body’s immune system targets the intrinsic factor (a protein essential for the absorption of vitamin B12), leading to a vitamin B12 deficiency.
- Which autoimmune disease primarily affects the synovial membrane leading to potential cartilage and bone damage?
A. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
B. Goodpasture Syndrome
C. Rheumatoid Arthritis
D. Myasthenia Gravis
C. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rationale: Rheumatoid Arthritis is characterized by inflammation primarily in the synovial membrane which can lead to cartilage and bone damage.
- Which distinctive rash is a pathognomonic sign of SLE?
A. Malar rash
B. Discoid rash
C. Roseola rash
D. Ringworm rash
A. Malar rash
Rationale: A malar rash, or “butterfly rash”, is a pathognomonic sign of SLE. Its presence confirms the disease.
- Goodpasture Syndrome predominantly affects which two organs?
A. Liver and Heart
B. Lungs and Kidneys
C. Skin and Brain
D. Joints and Muscles
B. Lungs and Kidneys
Rationale: Goodpasture Syndrome affects the lungs and kidneys with the presence of antibodies targeting Type IV collagen.