Basic sciences Flashcards
HLA-B27
Ankylosing spondylitis
Postgonococcal arthritis
Acute anterior uveitis
Reiter’s syndrome (reactive arthritis)
HLA-DR2
Narcolepsy
Goodpasture’s
HLA-DR3
Autoimmune hepatitis
Primary biliary cirrhosis
Diabetes mellitus type 1
Dermatitis herpetiformis
Coeliac disease (95% associated with HLA-DQ2)
Primary Sjögren syndrome
HLA-DR4
Rheumatoid arthritis
Diabetes mellitus type 1 (> DR3)
HLA-A3
Hemochromatosis
the major clusters of differentiation
(CD) molecules
CD1 HLA molecule that presents lipid molecules
CD2 Found on thymocytes, T cells, and some natural killer cells that acts as a ligand for CD58 and
CD59 and is involved in signal transduction and cell adhesion
CD3 The signalling component of the T cell receptor (TCR) complex
CD4 Co-receptor for HLA class II; also a receptor used by HIV to enter T cells
CD8 Co-receptor for HLA class I; also found on a subset of myeloid dendritic cells
Hypersensitivity Type I - Anaphylactic
Antigen reacts with IgE bound to mast cells
* Anaphylaxis, atopy
Hypersensitivity Type II
Cell bound
* IgG or IgM binds to antigen on cell surface
* Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, ITP, Goodpasture’s
Hypersensitivity Type III - Immune complex
Free antigen and antibody (IgG, IgA) combine
* Serum sickness, SLE, post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, extrinsic allergic alveolitis
(especially acute phase)
Hypersensitivity Type IV
Delayed hypersensitivity
* T cell mediated
* Tuberculosis, Tuberculin skin reaction, grafT versus hosT disease, allergic conTacT
dermaTiTis, scabies, exTrinsic allergic alveoliTis (especially chronic phase)
Hypersensitivity Type V
Stimulated hypersensitivity
* IgG antibodies stimulate cells they are directed against
* Graves’, myasthenia Gravis
Immunoglobulins IgG
75% Monomer Enhance phaGocytosis of bacteria and viruses.
Immunoglobulin IgA
15% Mono+Dimer Found in secretions, provide localized protection on mucous membranes
Immunoglobulin IgM
10% Pentamer first to be secreted, anti-A, B blood antibodies → Blood Transfusion
Immunoglobulin IgD
1% Monomer Involved in activation of B cells
- IgG Facts
IgG makes up approximately 75% of the serum antibodies.
* IgG has a half-life of 7-23 days depending on the subclass.
* IgG is a monomer and has 2 epitope-binding sites
* The Fc portion of IgG can activate the classical complement pathway.
* The Fc portion of IgG can bind to macrophage and neutrophils for enhanced phaGocytosis.
* The Fc portion of IgG can bind to NK cells for antibody-dependent cytotoxicity (ADCC).
* The Fc portion of IgG enables it to cross the placenta. (IgG is the only class of antibody that
can cross the placenta and enter the fetal circulation).
- IgA facts
IgA makes up approximately 15% of the serum antibodies, it has a half-life of ≈ 5 days.
* IgA is found mainly in body secretions (saliva, mucous, tears, colostrum and milk) as
secretory IgA (sIgA) where it protects internal body surfaces exposed to the environment
by blocking the attachment of bacteria and viruses to mucous membranes.
* Secretory IgA is the most immunoglobulin produced.
* IgA is made primarily in the mucosal-associated lymphoid tissues (MALT).
* IgA appears as a dimer of 2 “Y”-shaped molecules and has 4 epitope-binding sites and a
secretory component to protect it from digestive enzymes in the secretions
* The Fc portion of secretory IgA binds to components of mucous and contributes to the
ability of mucous to trap microbes.
* IgA can activate the alternative complement pathway. (IgA ≈ Alternate)
- IgM Facts
- IgM
* IgM makes up approximately 10% of the serum antibodies and is the first antibody produced
during an immune response.
* IgM has a half-life of about 5 days.
* IgM is a pentamer and has 10 epitope-binding sites
* The Fc portions of IgM are able to activate the classical complement pathway (most efficient)
* Monomeric forms of IgM are found on the surface of B-lymphocytes as B-cell receptors or sIg.
IgD facts
IgD makes up approximately 1% of the serum antibodies.
* IgD is a monomer and has 2 epitope-binding sites.
* IgD is found on the surface of B-lymphocytes (along with monomeric IgM) as a B-cell
receptor or sIg where it may control of B-lymphocyte activation and suppression.
* IgD may play a role in eliminating B-lymphocytes generating self-reactive autoantibodies.
Primary Immunodeficiency
Neutrophil disorders
* Chronic granulomatous disease
* Chediak-higashi syndrome
* Leukocyte adhesion deficiency
B-cell disorders
* IgA deficiency
* Bruton’s congenital agammaglobulinemia
* Common variable immunodeficiency
T-cell disorders = DiGeorge
* DiGeorge syndrome is an example of a microdeletion syndrome. Patients are consequently at ↑
risk of viral and fungal infections.
Combined B- and T-cell disorders
* Severe combined immunodeficiency
* Ataxic telangiectasia (Autosomal recessive - 10% risk of developing malignancy, lymphoma or
leukaemia, but also non-lymphoid tumours - recurrent chest infections)
* Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome inherited in an X-linked recessive fashion and is thought to be
caused by mutation in the WASP gene. Features include recurrent bacterial infections (e.g.
chest), eczema and thrombocytopenia with low IgG.
cANCA
cANCA
* Most common target serine proteinase 3 (PR3)
* Some correlation between cANCA levels and disease activity
* Wegener’s granulomatosis, positive in > 90%
* Microscopic polyangiitis, positive in 40%
pANCA
Most common target is myeloperoxidase (MPO)
* Cannot use level of pANCA to monitor disease activity
* Associated with immune crescentic glomerulonephritis (positive in c. 80% of patients)
* Microscopic polyangiitis, positive in 50-75%
* Churg-Strauss syndrome, positive in 60%
* Wegener’s granulomatosis, positive in 25%
C3 def vs C5 def
Whilst C3 deficiency is associated with recurrent bacterial infections, C5 deficiency is more
characteristically associated with disseminated meningococcal infection
Complement Deficiencies
Complement is a series of proteins that circulate in plasma and are involved in the inflammatory and
immune reaction of the body. Complement proteins are involved in chemotaxis, cell lysis and
opsonisation
C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) protein deficiency
Causes hereditary angiedema
* C1-INH is a multifunctional serine protease inhibitor
* Probable mechanism is uncontrolled release of bradykinin resulting in edema of tissues
C1q, C1rs, C2, C4 deficiency (classical pathway components)
Predisposes to immune complex disease
* E.g. SLE, Henoch-Schonlein Purpura
C3 deficiency
Causes recurrent bacterial infections
C5 deficiency
Predisposes to Leiner disease
* Recurrent diarrhea, wasting and seborrhoeic dermatitis
* Disseminated meningococcal infection.
C5-9 deficiency
Encodes the membrane attack complex (MAC)
* Particularly prone to Neisseria meningitidis infection
Normal anion gap (hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis)
Gastrointestinal bicarbonate loss: diarrhea, ureterosigmoidostomy, fistula
* Renal tubular acidosis
* Drugs: e.g. Acetazolamide
* Ammonium chloride injection
* Addison’s disease
Raised anion gap acidosis
Lactate: shock, hypoxia
* Ketones: DKA, alcohol
* Urate: renal failure
* Acid poisoning: salicylates, methanol
Metabolic Alkalosis
Causes
* Vomiting / aspiration (e.g. Peptic ulcer leading to pyloric stenosis, nasogastric suction)
* Diuretics
* Liquorice, carbenoxolone
* Hypokalemia
* Primary hyperaldosteronism
* Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
* Cushing’s syndrome
* Bartter’s syndrome
Mechanism of metabolic alkalosis
Activation of renin-angiotensin II-aldosterone (RAA) system is a key factor
* Aldosterone causes reabsorption of Na+
in exchange for H+ in the distal convoluted tubule
- ECF depletion (vomiting, diuretics) → Na+
and Cl-
loss → activation of RAA system → raised
aldosterone levels
* In Hypokalemia, K+
shift from cells → ECF. Alkalosis is caused by shift of H+
into cells to
maintain neutrality
Hyperkalemia causes
Acute renal failure
* Drugs*: potassium sparing diuretics, ACE
inhibitors, Cyclosporin
* Metabolic acidosis
* Addison’s
* Rhabdomyolysis
* Massive blood transfusion
K ++++ treatment
Stabilisation of the cardiac membrane
* intravenous calcium gluconate
Short-term shift in potassium from extracellular
to intracellular fluid compartment
* combined insulin/dextrose infusion
* nebulised salbutamol
Removal of potassium from the body
* calcium resonium (orally or enema)
* loop diuretics
* dialysis
Hypokalemia
Potassium and hydrogen can be thought of as competitors. Hyperkalemia tends to be associated with
acidosis because as potassium levels rise fewer hydrogen ions can enter the cells
Hypokalemia with alkalosis
Vomiting
* Diuretics
* Cushing’s syndrome
* Conn’s syndrome (primary hyperaldosteronism)
Hypokalemia with acidosis:
Diarrhea
* Renal tubular acidosis
* Acetazolamide
* Partially treated DKA
ECG features of hypokalemia:
U waves
* Small or absent T waves (occasionally inversion)
* Prolong PR interval
* ST depression
* Long QT
Hypomagnesemia:
- Diuretics
- Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
- Diarrhea
- Alcohol
- Hypokalemia, hypocalcemia
Features - Paraesthesia
- Tetany
- Seizures
- Arrhythmias
- ↓ PTH secretion → hypocalcemia
- ECG features similar to those of Hypokalemia
- Exacerbates digoxin toxicity
The two hormones which primarily control calcium metabolism are:
- parathyroid hormone (PTH)
- vitamin D
Actions of parathyroid hormone
(↑ plasma Ca from bones and kidneys and activation of Vit-D)
* ↑ plasma calcium, ↓ plasma phosphate
* ↑ renal tubular reabsorption of calcium
* ↑ osteoclastic activity
* ↑ renal conversion of 25-hydroxy vitamin D to 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D
* ↓ renal phosphate reabsorption
Actions of vitamin D
(↑ plasma Ca from bones and kidneys and GIT)
* ↑ plasma calcium and ↑ plasma phosphate
* ↑ renal tubular reabsorption and gut absorption of calcium
* ↑ osteoclastic activity
* ↑ renal phosphate reabsorption
Hypocalcemia
Causes
* Vitamin D deficiency (osteomalacia)
* Chronic renal failure
* Hypoparathyroidism (e.g. Post thyroid/parathyroid surgery)
* Pseudohypoparathyroidism (target cells insensitive to PTH)
* Rhabdomyolysis (initial stages)
* Magnesium deficiency (due to end organ PTH resistance)
Trousseau’s sign
Carpal spasm if the brachial artery occluded by inflating the blood pressure cuff and
maintaining pressure above systolic
* Wrist flexion and fingers drawn together
* Seen in around 95% of patients with hypocalcemia and around 1% of normocalcaemic people
Hyperuricemia
↑ levels of uric acid may be seen secondary to either ↑ cell turnover or ↓ renal
excretion of uric acid. Hyperuricemia may be found in asymptomatic patients who have not
experienced attacks of gout
↑ Synthesis:
* Lesch-Nyhan disease
* Myeloproliferative disorders
* Diet rich in purines
* Exercise
* Psoriasis
* Cytotoxics
↓ Excretion:
* Drugs: low-dose aspirin, diuretics, pyrazinamide
* Pre-eclampsia
* Alcohol
* Renal failure
Acute Phase Proteins:
CRP
* ferritin
* fibrinogen
* α-1 antitrypsin
* caeruloplasmin
* serum amyloid A
* serum amyloid P component
* haptoglobin
* complement
During the acute phase response the liver ↓ the production of other proteins (sometimes referred to as
negative acute phase proteins).
The following proteins ↓:
* albumin
* transthyretin (formerly known as prealbumin)
* transferrin
* retinol binding protein
* cortisol binding protein
Rheumatoid Factor (RF)
is a circulatinjg antibody (usually IgM) which reacts with antigenic
sites on the Fc portion of the patients own IgG
Rheumatoid factor is an IgM antibody against IgG
RF is positive in 70-80% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis; high titre levels are associated with
severe progressive disease (prognosis but NOT a marker of disease activity)
Other conditions associated with a positive RF include:
- Sjogren’s syndrome (around 100%)
- Felty’s syndrome (around 100%)
- Infective endocarditis (= 50%)
- SLE (= 20-30%)
- Systemic sclerosis (= 30%)
- General population (= 5%)
- Rarely: TB, HBV, EBV, leprosy
Nitric Oxide Effects
It is formed
from L-arginine and oxygen by nitric oxide synthetase (NOS). An inducible form of NOS has been
shown to be present in macrophages. Nitric oxide has a very short half-life (seconds), being inactivated
by oxygen free radicals
Effects
* Acts on guanylate cyclase leading to raised intracellular cGMP levels and therefore decreasing
Ca++ levels
* Vasodilation, mainly venodilation
* Inhibits platelet aggregation
Niitric oxide clinical importance
Clinical relevance
Underproduction of NO is implicated in hypertrophic pyloric stenosis
* Lack of NO is thought to promote atherosclerosis
* In sepsis ↑ levels of NO contribute to septic shock
* Organic nitrates (metabolism produces NO) is widely used to treat cardiovascular disease (e.g.
Angina, heart failure)
* Sildenafil is thought to potentiate the action of NO on penile smooth muscle and is used in the
treatment of erectile dysfunctions
Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)
(ANP) is a powerful vasodilator, and a protein (polypeptide)
hormone secreted by heart muscle cells. It is involved in the homeostatic control of body water,
sodium, potassium and fat (adipose tissue). ANP acts to ↓ the water, sodium and adipose loads on the
circulatory system, thereby reducing blood pressure
Basics
* Secreted mainly from myocytes of right atrium and ventricle in response to ↑ blood volume
* Secreted by both the right and left atria (right»_space; left)
* 28 amino acid peptide hormone, which acts via cGMP
* Degraded by endopeptidases
Actions
* Natriuretic, i.e. Promotes excretion of sodium
* Lowers BP
* Antagonises actions of angiotensin II, aldosterone
B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)
hormone produced mainly by the left ventricular
myocardium in response to strain
Vasodilator
* Diuretic and natriuretic
* Suppresses both sympathetic tone and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
- Initial evidence suggests BNP is an extremely useful marker of prognosis
Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF)
is a pro-inflammatory cytokine with multiple roles in
the immune system
TNF is secreted mainly by macrophages and has a number of effects on the immune system, acting
mainly in a paracrine fashion:
* Activates macrophages and neutrophils
* Acts as costimulator for T cell activation
* Key mediator of bodies response to gram NEGATIVE septicemia
* Similar properties to IL-1
* Anti-tumour effect (e.g. Phospholipase activation)
Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF) bind to?
TNF-α binds to p55 and p75 receptors, these receptors can induce apoptosis. It also cause activation of
NFkB