Autoimmune Diseases Flashcards
define autoimmunity
immune response against the host due to a loss of tolerance to self antigens
define autoimmune disease
disease caused by tissue damage or physiological changes due to an autoimmune response
what are primary autoantibodies
autoantibodies that start and drive a disease
what are secondary autoantibodies
autoantibodies which are produced during the corse of.a disease
what is organ specific autoimmune diseases
where the antigen targeted by the autoantibody is found in a specific organ
what is a non organ specific autoimmune diseases
where the antigen targeted by the autoantibody is found throughout the body
what are the treatment options for autoimmune diseases
monoclonal antibodies
plasmapheresis
immunosuppressants
organ replacement
what is the autoantibody produced in graves disease
thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin
what is the antigen targeted by TSI
TSH receptors causing an increase of T3/4 production
what happens to the levels of TSH and TRH in graves disease
they decrease due to negative feedback
what are the drugs used to treat graves and how do they work
- carbimazole = converted to methimazole which inhibits thyroid peroxidase
- propylthiouracil = prevents conversion of T4 to T3
in pregnancy can the child be affected by graves disease?
yes as the autoantibody is IgG
what is the self antigen targeted in Hashimoto’s disease
thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase
what happens to the hormone levels in Hashimoto’s disease
T3/4 decreases
TRH/TSH increase
what is the drug used to treat Hashimoto’s
levothyroxine (inactive T4)
