Autoimmunity Flashcards
What is autoimmunity?
A condition characterized by a specific humoral and/or cell-mediated immune response against the constituents of the bodys own tissue
Clinical signs and lesions of autoimmunity are a result of ___________.
hypersensitivity reactions
Autoimmunity is a consequence of what?
which way the adaptive immune system evolved
Autoimmune responses may be mounted against what? (3)
antigens that develop later in life
antigens hidden within cells
antigens that arise as a result of development of new molecular configurations
What do most autoimmune diseases result from?
failure to ensure that tolerance is maintained against self-antigens
Is there a strong genetic predisposition to autoimmunity?
yes
What triggers some autoimmune diseases?
immune stimulants such as virus infections, vaccinations, and some drugs
Milk allergy (alpha casein) in cattle stimulates a type __ hypersensitivity reaction.
1
What is the results of delayed milking?
Intra-mammary pressures forces milk protein (casein) into circulation and induces Th2 and IgE to self casein
cows develop acute anaphylaxis
Acute anaphylaxis from delayed milking is a type __ autoimmune dz.
1
Autoimmune mediated anemia is what type of AI dz and what is the autoantigen?
II, erythrocyte epitopes
Autoimmune mediated thrombocytopenia is what type of AI dz and what is the autoantigen?
II; platelet epitopes
Myasthenia gravis is what type of AI dz and is affected?
II; anti-actylcholine receptor antibodies
What is blocked in myasthenia gravis?
nerve impulses across the motor endplate of striated muscles
What is a side affect of Myasthenis Gravis and what breeds are affected?
abnormal fatigue and weakness after relatively mild exercise
GSD, golden retrievers, labs, dachunds
What is Graves Disease and what does it result in? What type of AI?
anti-thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibodies
hyperthyroidism
2
What is autoimmune hypothyroidism and what breeds are affected? What type of AI?
antibodies to thyroid and/or thyroglobulin
beagles, great danes
2
What is pemphigus complex and what type of AI?
antibodies to desmosomes/basement membrane
2
What is pemphigus foliaceus?
granular cell layer of skin affected (mild form)
What is pemphigus vulgaris?
separation above basal cell layer
What is bullous pemphigoid?
antibody against basement membrane
What is happening in autoimmune skin blistering diseases? What type of AI?
2
autoantibodies to desmosome adhesion molecule –> release of proteases digest adhesion molecule –> sloughing of keratinocytes –> activation of complement –> chemotaxis of neutrophils
Systemic Lupus erythematosus - type of AI, antibody specificity- manifestations?
3
DNA, nucleoproteins
nephritis, arthritis, vasculitis
How do you detect SLE and what breed is most affected?
anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) test
GSD
MS- what type of AI?
4
What is polymyositis and what AI type?
progressive muscle weakness not associated with exercise, fiber degeneration- lymphocytes and macrophages infiltrate muscle
4
What is insulin-deficient diabetes mellitus and what type of AI is it?
T cells and antibody
4
What is lymphocytic thyroiditis and what AI type?
CTLs against thyroid epithelium
4
What are the treatments for autoimmunity?
immunosuppressive drugs
What glucocorticoids are used and how do they help?
alter production of cytokines and inhibit inflammation by inhibiting breakdown of arachidonic acid pathway
pred and dex
How does azathioprine help?
inhibits nucleic acid synthesis- inhibits replicating cells
How does cyclosporine A help?
inhibits clonal expansion of T cells by blocking IL-2 synthesis
