Cardiovascular Flashcards
What is haemopoiesis?
Production of blood cells and platelets
Continues throughout life
Where does haemopoiesis take place at different ages of the foetus?
0-2 months: yolk sac
2-7 months: liver, spleen
5-9 months: bone marrow
Where does haemopoiesis take place in infants?
Bone marrow
Where does haemopoiesis take place in adults?
Vertebrae, ribs, sternum, skull, sacrum and pelvis, proximal ends of femur
Stages of haemopoiesis to form erythrocyte
Haemocytoblast
Common myeloid progenitor
Proerythroblast
Erythroblast
Reticulocyte (nucleus extracted)
RBC
Stages of haemopoiesis to form basophils, eosinophils and neutrophils
Haemocytoblast
Common myeloid progenitor
Myeloblast
Myelocyte
Baso-, eosino-, neutro-
Stages of haemopoiesis to form macrophages
Haemocytoblast
Common myeloid progenitor
Monoblast
Monocyte
Macrophage
Stages of haemopoiesis to form lymphocytes
Haemocytoblast
Common lymphoid progenitor cell
Lymphocyte (goes on to B and plasma, T)
Stages of haemopoiesis to form platelets
Haemocytoblast
Common myeloid progenitor
Megakaryocyte
Platelets (thrombocytes)
Describe RBCs
Diameter: 6-8μm
Lifespan in blood: 120 days
Flexible biconcave disc
Carries O2 or CO2
Males conc of 4.5-6.5x10^12/L
Females 3.9-5.6x10^12/L
What is the structure of haemoglobin?
4 polypeptide chains- 2 alpha 2 beta all with their own haem group
Hb A main type in blood, Hb F and Hb A2 also exist in small quantities
What is anaemia?
Reduction in the haemoglobin concentration of the blood
Less than 135g/L in adult males
Less than 115g/L in adult females
What is acute chest syndrome?
Complication of sickle cell
Acute lung injury, distinct from pneumonia
Chest pain, fever, dyspnoea
Describe white blood cells
4-11x10^9/L in blood
Diameter: 7-30μm
Lifespan: hours-years
Non-specific and specific immunity
Describe neutrophils
Diameter: 12-15μm
Lifespan: 6-10hrs
No.: 1.8-7.5x10^9/L
Function: protection from bacteria and fungi
Describe monocytes
Diameter: 12-20μm
Lifespan: 20-40hrs
No. : 0.2-0.8x10^9/L
Protection from bacteria and fungi
Describe eosionophils
Diameter: 12-15μm
Lifespan in blood: Days
No.: 0.04-0.44x10^9/L
Protection against parasites
Describe basophils
Diameter: 12-15μm
Lifespan in blood: Days
No.: 0.01-0.1x10^9/L
Describe lymphocytes
Diameter at rest: 7-9μm
Diameter active: 12-20μm
Lifespan in blood: weeks-years
No.: 1.5-3.5x10^9/L
B cells: immunoglobulin synthesis
T cells: protection against viruses, immune functions
Which white blood cells are responsible for innate immunity?
Neutrophils
Eosinophils
Basophils
Mast cells
Macrophages
Which white blood cells are responsible for adaptive immunity?
CD4 T helpers
CD8 T cells
B cells
Describe the maturation process of B cells
1.Bone marrow stem cell
2.Bone marrow
3.Mature B lymphocytes
4.Blood
Describe the maturation process of T cells
- Bone marrow
- Thymus
- Mature T lymphocytes
- Blood, lymph
List some WBC abnormalities
neutropenia
eosinopenia
myeloid malignancies
lymphoma
basophilia
monocytopenia
What is GVHD?
Graft-vs-host disease
Donor derived immune cells, particularly T, reacting against recipient tissues
What is CAR-T?
Chimeric antigen receptors cell therapy
Used for relapsed/refractory B cell malignancies
Involves collecting and using patient’s immune cells to treat their own condition
Describe platelets
Diameter: 0.5-3μm
Lifespan in blood: 10 days
No.:140-400x10^9/L
Function: haemostasis, clotting
What do platelets contain?
Plasma membrane
Cytoskeleton
Dense tubular system
Electron dense granule
alpha-granule
Lysosome
Mitochondria
Glycogen
Peroxisome
In platelets, what does the electron dense granule secrete?
ADP, Ca2+, Serotonin
In platelets, what does the alpha-granule secrete?
Fibrinogen, factor V, VWF, fibronectin, PF 4, PDGF
What are the major platelet functions?
Adhesion
Aggregation
Release reactions and amplification
How are platelets produced?
In the bone marrow by fragmentation of the cytoplasm of megakaryocytes
Describe platelet activation
- Break in endothelial lining
- Platelets activated and change shape, increases SA, spiculated and pseudopodia
- Activate GPIIB/IIIA into form to bind to fibrinogen, leading to cross linking
Number of GbIIb/IIIa receptors increased, affinity for fibrinogen increase
Describe platelet adhesion
Platelets adhere to exposed connective tissue
Collagen receptors bind to subendothelial collagen exposed
GbIIb/IIIa binds to VWF (attached to collagen)
Soluble agonists released and activate platelets
What happens when ADP activates P2Y1 (purinergic receptor)?
- ADP binds to and activates P2Y1 receptor
- Phospholipase C pathway activated: calcium released
- Protein kinase C pathway activated
- Initiation of platelet aggregation and shape change
Role of GPVI (glycoprotein 6) in platelet activation
-Binds to collagen in the vessel wall and activates platelets
-Lead to platelets releasing thromboxane A2, amplification
Role of cyclooxygenase 1 (platelets)
- COX-1 converts arachidonic acid into prostaglandin H2
- COX-1 mediates GI mucosal integrity
Pathway from arachidonic acid to vasoconstriction in platelets
- Arachidonic Acid converted by COX1 to Prostaglandin H2
- Prostaglandin H2 forms thromboxane A2
- Thromboxane A2 leads to platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction
Role of cyclooxygenase 2 (endothelial cells)
- Arachidonic acid converted by COX 2 to prostaglandin H2
- COX 2 mediates inflammation
- Involved in prostacyclin production to inhibit platelet aggregation and affect renal function
Pathway from arachidonic acid to inhibiting platelet aggregation (in endothelial cells)
- Arachidonic acid converted by COX 1/2 to prostaglandin H2
- Prostaglandin H2 converted to prostacyclin
- Prostacyclin inhibits platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction (opposite to thromboxane a2)
What effect does aspirin have?
Low dose inhibits COX 1
High dose inhibits both COX 1 and 2
What are the purinergic receptors in platelets?
P2Y receptors
They are G protein coupled
Receptor on outer surface of membrane
Inner surface side linked to G protein
P2Y1 linked to Gq, P2Y12 linked to Gi
What happens when ADP binds to P2Y12?
- ADP binds to and activates P2Y12
- Gi activates PI3 kinase pathway
- Gi inhibits adenylate cyclase
- Amplifies platelet activation, aggregation and granule release
Describe process of ADP-induced platelet aggregation
- ADP binds to P2Y1, initiating platelet activation
- GPIIb/IIIa activation, binding of fibrinogen and crosslinking of platelets
- ADP also binds to P2Y12, amplification pathway
- Dense granules release ADP which causes further activation
- Activation of GPIIb/IIIa also amplifies response (outside-in signalling)
How does thrombin activate platelets?
Thrombin generated through coagulation cascade
Activates PAR-1 (and other receptors)
Leads to aggregation response and release of ADP from dense granules
Describe platelet procoagulant activity
Aminophospholipids on inner surface of platelet membrane
1. Platelet activation causes release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores
2. Calcium increase inhibits translocase and activates scramblase
3. Scramblase flips aminophospholipids to outer surface
4. Aminophospholipids allow assembly of coagulation cascade proteins
5. Prothrombin to thrombin
Describe the platelet-fibrin clot
Fibrin strands form mesh
Platelets and red blood cells in mesh
What is the fibrinolytic system?
Breaks down fibrin clots
- Endothelium releases tissue plasminogen activator
- tPA converts plasminogen into plasmin
- plasmin breaks down fibrin into fibrin degradation products
- plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) regulates tPA
- antiplasmin inhibits plasmin so we don’t all bleed to death
How can platelets drive inflammatory response?
P-selectin of platelet outer surface binds to PSGL-1 on leukocytes
Increases inflammatory response
What are some anti-thrombotic drugs?
Aspirin
Heparins
Clopidogrel
Cangrelor
What is the platelet type of bleeding?
thromobocytopenia, thrombocytopathy
- petechial rash
- WF disease
- skin or mucosal bleeding, early post-procedural
- medication, liver disease, renal failure
What is the haemophilia type of bleeding?
factor deficiency
- late post-procedural bleeding
- large suffusions, haematomas
How would thrombocytopenia be classified?
- Reduced production: congenital or acquired, reduced megakaryocytes
- Increased destruction: increased megakaryocytes, immune, microangiopathic, consumptive
- altered redistribution
- pseudothrombocytopenia
Describe normal haemostasis
- Normal platelet count and function
- coagulation cascade with normal pro/anticoagulants
- termination
- fibrinolysis, normal pro/antifibrinolytic
What is haemostasis like in liver cirrhosis?
- primary haemostasis: low platelet count
- coagulation cascade, low pro/anticoagulants and low fibrinogen
- termination
- fibrinolysis, low pro/antifibrinolytics
What is thrombocytosis?
High platelet count
Can be malignant or reactive (e.g. bleeding)
What is thrombocytopenia?
Typically a 10% fall in platelet count
What are some plasma derived products?
FFP
Albumin
Cryoprecipitate
Fibrinogen
Coagulation factors
IVIG
How do ABO antigens work?
A and B alleles catalyse addition of different carbohydrate residues to H
O allele is non-functional and doesn’t modify the H
Process of development of ABO antibodies in children
Infants less than 3 months produce little to no antibodies
First antibodies are 3 months
Maximal titre at age 5-10yrs
Titre decreases with age
What are the antigens and antibodies for group A?
Antibodies in plasma are anti-B
Antigens on RBC are A antigen
What are the antigens and antibodies on group B?
Antibodies in plasma: anti-A
Antigens on RBC: B
What are the antibodies and antigens of AB?
No antibodies in plasma
A and B antigens
What are the antibodies and antigens of Group O?
Antibodies in plasma: Anti-B and Anti-A
No antigens
Describe rhesus antigens
Over 45 different types
Genetic locus on chromosome 1
Highly immunogenic
Can cause haemolytic transfusion reactions and HDFN
Rh D main type
What is HDFN?
Haemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn
Occurs when Rh-negative mother pregnant with Rh-positive baby
Rh D+ blood from baby enters mothers bloodstream, cause production of antibodies in mother
Rh D+ antibodies attack the baby’s blood causing disease (often in 2nd child)
How does ABO typing work?
Forward: add reagent anti-A to patient spun down RBCs, add anti-B and anti-D to other tubes. RBCs will clump if antigen binds. E.g. add anti-A, clump, therefore has A antigen
Backwards: add RBCs with A/B antigen to patient’s plasma, line at top = positive result
What is the direct antiglobulin test?
Used for detecting antibody already on the red cell surface where sensitization has occured in vivo
Detects autoimmune or haemolytic disease
What is the indirect antiglobulin test?
Detect antibodies that have coated the red cells in vitro
Used as part of the routine antibody screening prior to transfusion and for detecting blood group antibodies in pregnant women
What is apheresis in blood donations?
Blood is removed and separated externally and then the components not needed are returned
How is fresh frozen plasma used?
From whole blood donations or apheresis
From male donors only
Indications of need: multiple clotting factor deficiencies and bleeding, single clotting factor deficiency where a concentrate isn’t available
How is cryoprecipitate used?
Thawing FFP and skimming off fibrinogen rich layer
Used in DIC with bleeding and massive transfusion, hypofibrinogenaemic
How is intravenous immunoglobulin used?
Normal IVIg: used in immune conditions
Specific IVIg: particular infections
How are factor concentrates used?
Single factor concentrates: Factor VIII for severe haemophilia A, fibrinogen concentrate
Prothrombin complex concentrate: multiple factors, rapid reversal of warfarin
What happens with serious ABO incompatibility
Rapid intravascular haemolysis
Cytokine release leading to acute renal failure and shock
Treatment: stop transfusion, fluid resuscitate
Blood goes back to lab to check why it happened
What is TRALI?
Transfusion-related lung injury
AB in donor blood reacting with recipient pulmonary endothelium/neutrophils
Plasma leaks into alveolar spaces
What is gastrulation?
Mass movement and invagination of the blastula to form 3 layers: ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm
What comes from the ectoderm?
Skin
Nervous system
Neural crest (some contributes to the cardiovascular system)
What comes from the mesoderm?
All types of muscle
Most systems (most of cardiovascular system)
Kidneys
Blood
Bone
What comes from the endoderm?
GI tract (liver, pancreas, not smooth muscle)
Endocrine organs
When do the heart fields develop and what do they form?
Day 15
First HF: future left ventricle
Second HF: outflow tract, future right ventricle, atria
Describe the stages of heart development from day 15-50
Day 15: Heart fields
Day 21: Inflow tract into two future atria, single outflow tract, ventricle
Day 28: looped structure with ventricles and atria
Day 50: standard postnatal structure
What happens in formation of primitive heart tube?
day 19: 2 tubes
day 21: one single tube
contains bulbus cordis, ventricle, artium, right and left horns of sinus venosus
What happens during cardiac looping?
After formation of primitive tube
Sinus venosus moves to top
Primitive atria anterior to SV
Primitive ventricle moves to left
Bulbus cordis moves anteriorly down to right
What happens during cardiac septation?
After cardiac looping
Endocardial cushion grows from sides of AV canal to partition it into 2 separate openings
AV canal re-positioned to right side of heart
Why does the heart have a negative membrane potential (-90mV)?
- the membrane is normally only permeable to K+
- K+ diffuse out down gradient
- Anions can’t follow, so remain in cell in excess
- Negative potential
What are the concentrations of ions in the ECF?
Na+, 145 mmol/L
K+, 4 (more in ICF)
Ca2+, 2
Cl-, 120
What are the concentrations of ions in the ICF?
Na+, 14 mmol/L (more in ECF)
K+, 135
Ca2+, 0.0001 (more in ECF)
Cl-, 4 (more in ECF)
Describe the action potential process in myocyte membranes
- 3Na+ pumped out for every 2K+ pumped in (phase 4)
- Cell activated, voltage-gated channels open, Na+ in
- Potential changes from -90 to +20mV, depolarisation (phase 0)
- Small K+ movement out causes small repolarisation (phase 1)
- Calcium channels open and calcium enters cell, maintains depolarisation, plateau (phase 2)
- Outward movement of K+ repolarises cell and return to resting potential (phase 3)
How is the resting potential maintained?
- K+ move out of cell down gradient
- ECF more positive, ICF more negative
- Electrical gradient draws K+ back into cell
- Equilibrium and no net movement at -90mV
Describe the process of action potential propagation in cells
- local depolarization activates nearby Na+ channels to open, Na+ in
- influx of Na+ triggers nearby channels to open
- wave of depolarisation
- gap junctions allow cell to cell conduction and propagation across whole myocardium
What is excitation-contraction coupling?
Once heart is excited, simultaneous contraction of heart muscle
Calcium for contraction from action potential
Process of excitation-contraction coupling
- Calcium enters cell through surface ion channels
- 3Na leave cell, 1 Ca2+ moves in down gradient
- Calcium-induced calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum from activated ryanodine receptors
How does the troponin-tropomyosin-actin complex work?
- Calcium binds to troponin
- Conformational changes in tropomyosin reveals myosin binding sites
- Myosin head cross-links with actin
- Myosin head pivots causing muscle contraction