autoimmune Flashcards
What are autoimmune diseases?
Autoimmune diseases are the result of the immune system accidentally attacking your body instead of protecting it.
What is a common characteristic of autoimmune diseases?
They can affect many types of tissues and nearly any organ in the body.
What is the cause of autoimmune diseases?
The cause is unknown and usually the diagnosis can be difficult.
Name three common autoimmune diseases.
- Lupus
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Crohn’s disease
True or False: Autoimmune diseases can present similar symptoms across different types.
True
What factors can influence the presentation of autoimmune disease symptoms?
- Age
- Hormones
- Environmental factors
List four common symptoms of autoimmune diseases.
- Fatigue
- Low grade fever
- Muscle aches and joint pain
- Rash on different areas of the skin
What are the two classifications of autoimmune diseases based on their effect on tissues?
- Organ-specific diseases
- Systemic diseases
How do autoimmune diseases correlate with cancer?
Having an autoimmune disease increases the risk of developing certain cancers due to chronic inflammation.
Name two autoimmune diseases commonly linked to cancer.
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Multiple sclerosis
What role do genetics play in autoimmune diseases?
Certain genetic risk variants may be responsible, although exact genes have not been fully identified.
What is Type 1 diabetes?
A condition in which pancreatic β-cells are targeted and destroyed by the immune system.
Where is the INS gene located?
On the short arm of chromosome 11p15.5.
What is a significant genetic determinant of Type 1 diabetes?
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) located on chromosome 6p21.
Which genes are associated with rheumatoid arthritis?
- TNF receptor associated factor 1 (TRAF1)
- HLA-DRB1 alleles
What is a common risk factor for developing autoimmune diseases?
- Family history of autoimmune diseases
- Smoking
- Obesity
Fill in the blank: Current studies indicate up to _____ of autoimmune diseases are due to environmental factors.
0.7
What are some environmental triggers for autoimmune diseases?
- Chemicals
- Infections
- Diet
- Gut dysbiosis
What is the sequence of steps identified for autoimmune disease onset?
- Environmental triggers
- Reduced oral tolerance
- Gut dysbiosis
- Enhanced gut permeability
- Increased immune reactivity
- Autoimmunity
What is the role of T cells and B cells in the immune system?
They are capable of being reactive with self-proteins but are usually regulated to prevent autoimmunity.
What does the Antinuclear antibody (ANA) test identify?
Abnormal proteins produced when the body attacks its own tissues.
What does a complete blood count measure?
Maturity levels, count, and size of blood cells.
What is the goal of treatment for autoimmune diseases?
- Control the autoimmune process
- Maintain the body’s ability to fight disease
- Reduce symptoms
List three standard treatment methods for autoimmune diseases.
- Vitamin or hormone supplements
- Blood transfusions
- Physical therapy
Which types of drugs are commonly used in traditional treatment for autoimmune diseases?
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Glucocorticoids
- DMARDs
What is a possible non-traditional treatment for autoimmune diseases?
- Monoclonal antibodies
- Antigen-specific immunotherapy
- Co-stimulatory blockade
- Regulatory T cell therapy
