Block 4 W1 Flashcards
What is the composition of blood?
- Liquid composition - 55% plasma
2. Formed elements - 45% RBC + WBC + platelets
Outline the components of plasma.
92% water
7% plasma proteins - albumin, globulins
1% other substance - electrolytes, hormones, nutrients
Describe the function of plasma.
ECM of blood - keeps blood cells in suspension.
Serum is plasma devoid of clotting factors.
Where is the site of haematopoiesis prenatally?
Yolk sac -> liver and spleen
Where is site of haematopoiesis post-birth?
Bone marrow
How is haematopoiesis controlled?
By environment within bone marrow i.e. stromal cells and growth factors and cytokines:
- EPO, erythropoietin - RBC
- TPO, thrombopoietin - platelets
- Interleukin, G-CSF, GM-CSF and SCF - WBCs
Where is the site of erythropoiesis?
Bone marrow - 2.5x10^6 new RBC/sec
How is erythropoiesis initiated?
Hypoxia detected by kidney -> releases EPO into blood -> binds erythropoietin receptor on progenitor cells.
Describe the process of erythropoiesis.
Multipotent stem cell -> common myeloid progenitor -> proerythroblast -> phase 1 ribosome synthesis (basophilic erythroblast) -> phase 2 haemoglobin accumulation (polychromatic erythroblast) -> phase 3 nucleus rejection (orthochromatic erythroblast) > reticulocyte -> erythrocyte.
Describe haemoglobin.
4 global polypeptide chain - 2alpha and 2beta -> each associated with haem.
HB - binds O2 for transportation and CO2 for removal.
Describe haem.
Porphyrin ring + iron molecule as cofactor.
Describe structure and function of erythrocytes.
RBC
Bi-concave, no nucleus for optimal O2 function and flexibility.
Lifespan - 120 days
Damaged cells removed by macrophages in spleen.
Describe structure and function of thrombocytes.
Platelets
Small, no nucleus
Initiates blood clotting at site of injury.
Lifespan - 7-10 days
Describe thrombopoiesis.
10^11 made/day
1 megakaryocyte generates 5000 platelets -> fragment to make platelets.
30% stored in spleen.
Where is TPO made?
Liver and kidney
List innate immune cells.
Neutrophils Eosinophils Basophils Monocytes NK cells
Describe neutrophils.
Lifespan - 5 days
60-70% of WBC (most common)
Phagocytes - ingest and kill pathogens and damaged cells. Initiate inflammatory process.
Describe eosinophils.
Lifespan - 2-5 days
0.2%
Phagocytic against helminths
Describe basophils.
Lifespan - 1-2 days
0.2%
Allergic reactions
Describe monocytes.
Lifespan - 1-7 days
2-10%
Phagocytic and differentiate to become macrophages.
Describe natural killer cells.
Lifespan - 14 days
15%
Kill virally infected cells
Describe lymphocytes.
Adaptive immune cells
T and B cells
Lifespan - weeks to years
20-40%
Describe haematocrit test.
Separates blood into 3: plasma + WBC and platelets + RBC F = 37-47% M = 42-52% Reduced - anaemia Increased - polycythaemia
Define polycythaemia vera.
Primary form of myeloproliferative disorder.
Increased Hb, PCV and RBC.
95% due to mutations in JAK2 gene.
Define essential thrombocythaemia.
Secondary form of myeloproliferative disorder.
Normal Hb and WBC but increased platelets.
JAK2 mutations.
Define myelofibrosis/myelosclerosis.
Elevated WBC and platelet count.
JAK2 mutations.
How does JAK2 gene mutation cause myeloproliferative disorders?
Janus kinase 2 acts in signalling pathway downstream of EPO and TPO receptors.
Point mutation -> constitutively activates receptors in absence of EPO.
What are the treatments of polycythaemia?
- Venesection
- Chemotherapy - hydroxycarbamide
- Low dose aspirin
What is the ABO blood group?
2 antigens on surface of RBCs determines a persons blood type.
What are A and B antigens?
Carbohydrate structures present on RC membrane glycoproteins and glycolipids.
What are the major carriers of A and B antigens?
N-glycosylated glycoproteins Anion exchanger Glucose transporter (GLUT 1)
What do the types A, B and O gene encode?
A - N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase
B - galactosyltransferase
O - no transferase
Describe the inheritance of ABO.
Ch 9 -> 3 allelic variants
i, IA and IB
IA and IB co-dominant
4 blood groups, A, B, AB and O.
What are rhesus D antigens?
Expressed on RBC surface. 5 major Rh antigens: D, C, E, c and e. D = most immunogenic RhD- = no expression of antigen. 85% RhD+ 15% RhD-
Describe the gene of RhD.
Encoded by RHD and RHCE gene.
No anti-D antibodies present in blood.
How does haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) occur?
- Rh+ father
- Rh- mother carrying her first Rh+ foetus. Rh antigens from foetus enters mothers blood during pregnancy.
- Mother makes anti-Rh antibodies and becomes sensitised.
- If mother pregnant with another Rh+ foetus, anti-Rh antibodies crosses placenta and damages foetal RBCs.
What are the complications of HDN?
Range: mild anaemia -> intrauterine death at 18 weeks (hydrops fetalis).
Kernicterus - severe jaundice causes brain damage or deafness.
What is the prevention of HDN?
Routine antenatal serology + prophylaxis anti-D therapy.
Anti-D immunoglobulin binds and neutralises any RhD+ cells preventing formation of maternal antibodies.
What do incompatible blood transfusions cause?
Agglutination - IR facilitated by antibody-antigen interactions. Haemolysis Renal failure Shock Death