autoimmune and inflammation pharmacology Flashcards
define autoimmunity
an immune response against self/autologous antigens resulting from failure of hosts immune system to distinguish self from non-self-cells
how is autoimmunity caused
Develops when multiple layers of self-tolerance are dysfunctional and Can be genetic
two mechanisms of autoimmunity
genetics & infection
how do genetics cause autoimmunity
polygenetic - causes production of self-reactive lymphocytes
how does infection and inflammation cause autoimmunity
inactivation of antigen presenting cells leading to influx and activation of self-reactive lymphocytes into tissues
define immunogen
a substance capable of eliciting an immune response
define tolerogen
antigens that induce tolerance rather than an immune response
what are the two mechanisms of self-tolerance
central and peripheral
what is central self tolerance
limits the development of B/T cells
what is peripheral self tolerance
regulates autoreactive cells in circulation
what happens to T cells in central tolerance
- Exposed to self-antigens (MHC CD4/8 on APC) * Strong response: apoptosis * Intermediate response: Treg * Weak response: positive selection
what happens to B cells in central self tolerance
- Mature in bone marrow and are exposed to self-antigens during development * High avidity: receptor editing and retesting - if still high apoptosis * Low avidity: reduce expression and become anergic
what happens to T cells in peripheral tolerance
Treg cell binds to active T cell causes anergy, apoptosis or suppression
what happens to B cells in peripheral tolerance
- T cell not activated if B cell activated by self-antigen, no cytokines are released so B cell will not become activated Anergy, suppression or apoptosis
what are the three mechanisms of autoimmune damage
circulating antibodies,
T lymphocytes,
non-specific mechanisms
how do circulating antibodies cause autoimmune damage
○ Complement lysis and interaction with receptors ○ Toxic immune complexes ○ Penetration into living cells
how do T lymphocytes cause autoimmune damage
○ CD4 polarised towards TH1 via cytokines ○ CD8 activated to become cytotoxic T cells and cause direct cytolysis
how do is autoimmune damage caused non-specifically
○ Recruitment of inflammatory leucocytes into autoimmune lesions
what are conventional therapies for the treatment of autoimmune diseases
- anti inflammatory drugs - immunosuppressive drugs - IV immunoglobulin - plasmapheresis - organ specific treatments (insulin, etc)
what happens when bacteria enters the skin
- bacteria enters through epithelial layer 2. macrophage recognises bacteria 3. cytokines, chemokines are released 4. IL1 causes a fever in the hypothalamus
what are the steps of the inflammatory response
- vasodilation 2. migration and margination 3. tissue repair
what happens in step 1 of the inflammatory response
- acute phase reaction (IL1/IL6/TNF alpha) -Platelet adhesion
- vasoconstriction /vasodilation= increased heat/blood flow to area - activation of the compliment system
what happens in step 2 of the inflammatory response
- Leukocyte adhesion - caused by chemoattractant on endothelial cell surface allowing transmigration
- Increased vascular permeability and Extravasion of serum proteins (exudate) and leukocytes with resultant tissue swelling
what happens in step 3 of the inflammatory response
- Wound healing and remodelling 6. Anti-inflammatory response - resolution - IL10, soluble adhesion molecules, TIMPS, etc