Autoimmunity (Exam 2) Flashcards
The ability of the immune system to accept self-antigens and not initiate a response against them.
self-tolerance
What can a loss of self-tolerance result in?
autoimmunity
Tolerance that occurs in primary or central lymphoid organs and is also called negative selection of self-reactive lymphocytes.
central tolerance
Lymphocytes that recognize self-antigens in secondary lymphoid organs are rendered incapable of reacting with those organs. This type of immunological tolerance is where self-reactive lymphocytes are terminated to avoid an autoimmune disorder.
peripheral tolerance
The fact that many bacterial or viral agents have antigens that closely resemble the structure or amino acid sequence of self-antigens.
molecular mimicry
How can the MHC molecular structure affect or cause autoimmunity?
If a self-antigen is able to bind to the peptide cleft of the molecule, it will be presented by the MHC to killer T cells, therefore causing autoimmunity.
Is autoimmunity more prevalent among people of the same family or among unrelated people?
People of the same family
Is autoimmunity more prevalent among identical twins (monozygotic) or non-identical (dizygotic) twins/siblings?
Identical twins
What gene is heavily focused on in the genetic research of autoimmunity?
The MHC gene
Is SLE an example of a systemic or organ specific autoimmune disease?
systemic
Is RA an example of a systemic or organ specific autoimmune disease?
systemic
Is Goodpasture’s syndrome an example of a systemic or organ specific autoimmune disease?
organ specific
Is myasthenia gravis an example of a systemic or organ specific autoimmune disease?
organ specific
Is scleroderma an example of a systemic or organ specific autoimmune disease?
organ specific
Is Sjogren’s syndrome an example of a systemic or organ specific autoimmune disease?
organ specific
Fatigue, weight loss, malaise, fever and anorexia are among the first to appear.
Effects of nonspecific involvement (of SLE)
The most frequently reported manifestation (over 90% of patients); Polyarthralgia and typically symmetric arthritis in small joints of the hands, wrists, and knees.
Effects of joint involvement (of SLE)
The second most frequently occurring manifestation (approx. 80% of patients); Skin manifestations including an erythematous rash in areas contacted by UV and the classic butterfly rash on the face.
Effects of uncommon appearance (of SLE)
The most common cause of death in patients with SLE
The deposition of immune complexes in kidney tissue leading to renal failure
Patients with this disorder may experience any of the following systemic effects: renal failure, cardiac issues (tachycardia, pericarditis, or ventricular enlargement), pleuritis, neuropsychiatric manifestations, and hematologic abnormalities.
The patient has SLE
A specific state of unresponsiveness to antigens is known as…
Anergy
What percentage of the population is affected by autoimmunity?
5-7%
When does central tolerance take place?
When B cells mature in the bone marrow.
When does peripheral tolerance take place?
After T and B cells mature and enter periphery
The following defects are all caused by what?
Abnormal expression, dysfunction of signaling molecules, dysregulation of cytokines, Fc receptor polymorphisms.
B-cell defects
Defects of polyclonal B-cell activation may be enhanced by…
Gran-negative bacteria and many viruses (ex. CMV and EBV)
Fluorescent anti-nuclear antibody
FANA
Extractable nuclear antigen
ENA
If an FANA result is positive, what is the next step to be completed?
Profile testing
Pattern with a smooth, even staining or the nucleus with or without apparent masking of the nucleoli.
Homogenous patten