Autoimmunity Flashcards
What is the treatment of Wegner’s Granulomatosis (WG)?
Plasmapheresis and anti-inflammatory drugs.
What are the other symptoms of WG?
Conjunctivitis, lung infiltrates, rapidly progressing glomerulonephritis, granulomas found in all affected tissues (usually but not always).
What is the first symptom of WG?
Rhinitis: pain, stuffiness, and nose bleeds.
The vasculitis seen in WG is caused by what?
The activated neutrophils degranulate causing damage to the vasculature.
ANCAs bind to what elicting them to what?
Neutrophils. Activates them to upregulate adhesion molecules allowing them to bind to vascular endothelial cells.
T or F. The onset of WG typically follows bacterial or viral infection and the response to the pathogen elicits production of IgG that cross reacts with neutrophil determinants.
True
What type of Ig is the Ab that mediates WG?
IgG
What Ab mediates Wg?
Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs).
WG uses what mechanism to elicit the autoimmune condition?
Molecular mimicry
Wegener’s Granulomatosis is what type?
Type II
What is the treatment for GBS?
Plasmapheresis and immunosuppressants.
What are the symptoms for GBS?
Symmetrical weakness of lower limbs that rapidly ascends to upper limbs and face. Difficulty swallowing and breathing. Drooling. Partial paralysis often occurs.
What is the results of the binding of the IgG in GBS?
Demyelination of nerves.
What is the Ig in GBS specific for?
Gangliosides: common components of human nerve tissue.
What Ig mediates GBS?
IgG
GBS uses what mechanism to elicit the autoimmune condition?
Molecular Mimicry
Guillain Barre Syndrome is what type?
Type II
T or F. Campylobacter jejuni induces autoimmune conditions via the action of molecular mimicry and is a diarrheal pathogen.
True
An infection of Campylobacter jejuni carries an associated risk to what autoimmune disease?
Reactive Arthritis
Is there an associated risk to autoimmune disease with certain bacterial, viral, and fungal infections?
Yes
T or F. Trauma to one eye can elicit effector T cells upon return to attack Ag in both eyes.
True
What are the 3 immunologically privileged sites of the body?
Eyes, testes, placenta/fetus
T or F. Position 57 of the HLA-DQbeta chain affects susceptibility to type I diabetes mellitus.
True
T or F. There is an increased risk of autoimmune disease in certain HLA haplotypes of MHC molecules.
True
T or F. An increased number of shared HLA haplotypes is directly related to incidence of diabetes in sibling pairs.
True
In general, do autoimmune diseases typically affect women or men?
Women
What does the diagnostic lab test result show for MS?
Presence of oligoclonal bands of IgG in CSF
What is the treatment for MS?
Immunosuppressants. IFN-beta1: reduces incidence of disease attacks.
T or F. MS is a highly variable progressive disease?
True
What are the symptoms of MS?
Motor weakness, impaired vision, lack of coordination, spasticity.
What does the destruction of myelin sheaths of nerve cells cause in MS?
Causes demyelination of white matter in the CNS forming sclerotic plaques.
In MS, the immune response is directed at what?
The myelin sheath of nerve cells.
What cell mediates MS?
Th1 Cells
Multiple Sclerosis is what type?
Type IV
What is the treatment for SjS?
No known cure. Artificial tears. Some pt’s wear goggles to increase humidity in the eyes. Punctal plugs: prevents tears from draining out of eye.
What tests are used to diagnose SjS?
Schirmer test: measures tear output. ANA and rheumatoid factor tests (bc SjS often occurs secondary to rheumatic fever and SLE).
T or F. SjS pt’s oftgen have serious dental problems?
T: caused by the dry mouth.
Is rhematoid factor required for SjS?
no