ch 1 and 2 Flashcards
An increase in stress on an organ leads to…?
An increase in organ size by hypertrophy or hyperplasia.
How does hypertrophy occur?
Gene activation, protein synthesis, and production of organelles.
How does hyperplasia occur?
Production of new cells from stem cells.
Uterus during pregnancy: hypertrophy or hyperplasia?
Both, as is generally the case.
What is a permanent tissue? Can they grow? What are the permanent tissues?
A tissue that is stable, cannot make new cells. They can only grow by hypertrophy. Skeletal/cardiac muscle and nerve.
How does the heart respond to persistent hypertension?
Being a permanent tissue, it grows by hypertrophy.
What is the worry with endometrial hyperplasia? What kind of hyperplasia doesn’t carry this same concern?
It (and other pathologic hyperplasias) can progress to dysplasia and eventually cancer. BPH does not increase the risk for cancer.
What are examples of decreases in stress that lead to atrophy?
Decreased hormonal stimulation, disuse, or decreased nutrient/blood supply.
How does atrophy occur?
Decrease in size and number of cells.
How does the decrease in cell number occur in atrophy?
Apoptosis
How does the decrease in cell size occur in atrophy?
Ubiquitin-proteosome degradation of the cytoskeleton and autophagy of cellular components.
What is ubiquitin-proteosome degradation?
Intermediate filaments of the cytoskeleton are tagged with ubiquitin and destroyed by proteosomes.
How does autophagy occur in atrophy?
Autophagic vacuoles are generated to gobble up cellular components that are no longer needed or sustainable. These vacuoles fuse with lysosomes.
What does a change in stress on an organ lead to?
Metaplasia
What is metaplasia?
A change in cell type, most commonly involving surface epithelium (changing to a type more suitable to handle the change in stress).
Describe Barrett esophagus?
From non-keratinizing stratified squamous (handles friction of food bolus) to non-ciliated columnar with goblet cells (better for handling acid).
How does metaplasia occur?
Reprogramming of stem cells.
Is metaplasia reversible?
Yes, in theory, with the removal of the stressor.
How do you treat Barrett esophagus?
Most importantly, remove the stressor, which is acid reflux. Then, there are therapies to prevent progression to cancer if there’s already dysplasia.
Are we concerned about metaplasia?
Only because it can progress to dysplasia and eventually cancer.
Does all metaplasia lead to cancer? exception?
No, but there is a definite risk (e.g. Barrett esophagus->adenocarcinoma). Apocrine metaplasia of the breast is the exception. It carries no increased risk for cancer.
What does vitamin A do?
It’s necessary for differentiation of specialized epithelial surfaces (e.g. conjunctiva).
What happens when someone becomes vitamin A deficient?
They can’t maintain specialized epithelium. For example, the squamous epi of the conjunctiva undergoes metaplasia into stratified stratified keratinizing squamous epithelium. This is keratomalacia.
What is myositis ossificans?
Metaplasia in muscle that forms bone during healing after trauma.
What is dysplasia?
Disordered cellular growth. Most often refers to proliferation of precancerous cells.
What proliferation is a precursor to cervical cancer?
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), which is a dysplastic process.
When does CIN arise?
It’s a dysplastic process that arises from longstanding pathologic hyperplasia (e.g. endometrial) or metaplasia (e.g. Barrett).
Is dysplasia reversible?
Yes, in theory, with alleviation of the stress. If it persists, however, it progresses to carcinoma, which is irreversible.
What is aplasia? Example?
Failure of cell production during embryogenesis (e.g. unilateral renal agenesis).
What is hypoplasia? Example?
Decrease in cell production during embryogenesis, resulting in a small organ (e.g. streak ovary in Turner syndrome).
When does cellular injury occur?
When a stress exceeds the cell’s ability to adapt.
Which is more susceptible to ischemic injury: neurons or skeletal myocytes?
Neurons are highly susceptible, skeletal muscle is more resistant.
How does the rapidity of a stressor affect the response of the cells (e.g. ischemia)?
Slowly developing ischemia (e.g. renal artery atherosclerosis), for example, will will to atrophy. Acute ischemia (e.g. renal artery embolus) will result in injury.
What are common causes of cellular injury?
Inflammation, nutritional deficiency or excess, hypoxia, trauma, and genetic mutations.
How does hypoxia cause cellular injury?
Oxygen is the final electron acceptor in the ETC of oxidative phosphorylation, so hypoxia hinders ATP production, disabling important cell functions.
What is ischemia?
Reduced blood flow through an organ.
When does ischemia arise?
Decreased arterial perfusion (e.g. atherosclerosis).Decreased venous drainage (e.g. Budd Chiari)Shock-generalized hypotension resulting in poor tissue perfusion
What is hypoxemia?
A low partial pressure of O2 in the blood (i.e. PaO2<60 mm Hg, SaO2<90%).
When does hypoxemia occur?
High altitude (decreased PAO2.Hypoventilation (increased PACO2 decreases PAO2).Diffusion defect (e.g. pulmonary fibrosis).V/Q mismatch (circulation e.g. R-L shunt or ventilation prob e.g. atelectasis)
Main causes of hypoxia?
Hypoxemia, reduced carrying capacity, and ischemia.
When does decreased O2 carrying capacity arise? Examples?
With hemoglobin loss or dysfx. Examples include anemia and CO poisoning.
How does CO poisoning reduce O2 carrying capacity?
CO binds Hb much more avidly than O2 does.
What are the PaO2 and SaO2 in anemia? CO poisoning?
Both normal.PaO2 normal, SaO2 decreased.
Common exposures to CO?
Smoke from fires and exhast from cars or gas heaters (common suicide attempt).
What’s the classic physical finding in CO poisoning? Other findings?
Cherry-red appearance of skin. The early sign of expsure is headache. Significant exposure leads to coma and death.
What is methemoglobinemia?
When Fe2 is oxidized to Fe3, RBCs can’t bind O2.
PaO2 and SaO2 in methemoglobinemia?
PaO2 normal, SaO2 decreased.
When does methemoglobinemia occur?
With oxidant stress (e.g. sulfa and nitrate drugs) and in newborns (immature Fe-reducing enzymes).
What’s the classic finding in methemoglobinemia?
Chocolate-colored blood.
Tx for methemoglobinemia?
Intravenous methylene blue helps reduce Fe3 to Fe2.
What cellular functions does low ATP affect? Consequences?
Na-K pumps, resulting in Na/H2O buildup and swelling.Ca pumps, resulting in Ca buildup in cytosol.Aerobic glycolysis, resulting in a switch to anaerobic glycolysis and lactic acid buildup, denaturing proteins and precipitating DNA.
Is cellular injury reversible? What’s the hallmark of reversible injury?
It is in the initial phase. The hallmark is cellular swelling.
What histologic findings indicate reversible injury?
Loss of microvilli and membrane blebbing indicate cytosol swelling. Dissociation of ribosomes and decreased protein synthesis indicate RER swelling.
What is the hallmark of irreversible cellular injury?
Membrane damage.
What are the consequences of specific membranes in the cell being damaged?
-Plasma membrane damage results in leakage of cytosolic enzymes into the serum (e.g. cardiac troponin) and addtional Ca entering the cell.-Mitochondrial membrane damage results in loss of ETC (innter mito membrane) and cytochrome c leaking into the cytosol (activates apoptosis)-Lysosome membrane damage results in hydrolytic enzymes leaking into the cytosol, which then become activated by the high intracellular Ca.
What is the morphologic hallmark of cell death? How does it occur?
Loss of the nucleus. By condensation (pyknosis), fragmentation (karyorrhexis), and dissolution (karyolysis).
What are the 2 mechanisms of cell death?
Necrosis (murder) and apoptosis (suicide).
Describe the main differences between necrosis and apoptosis?
Apoptosis is self-initiated, necrosis is not. Necrosis involves a large group of cells and is followed by acute inflammation. Necrosis is always pathologic, never physiologic.
Describe coagulative necrosis?
Necrosis where the organ and cell structures are preserved by coagulation of proteins. The nucleus disappears though. The necrotic tissue remains firm.
When and where does coagulative necrosis occur?
Ischemic infarction in any organ but the brain.
How do you recognize an organ that has undergone coagulative necrosis?
It will have maintained is shape. The infarcted area is often wedge-shaped and pale.
When does red infarction arise? Examples?
When blood re-enters a loosely organized tissue (e.g. an organ that has undergone coagulative necrosis). Examples include testicular and pulmonary infarctions.
What is liquefactive necrosis?
Necrotic tissue that becomes liquefied by enzymatic lysis of cells and proteins.
When and where does liquefactive necrosis?
Any time an organ is exposed to proteolytic enzymes.It occurs in the brain-enzymes of the microglial cells;in abscesses-enzymes from neutrophils;and in pancreatitis.
When does acute inflammation arise?
It is the result of 1. infection and 2. necrosis
What type(s) of necrosis are associated with the pancreas?
Fat and liquefactive
What are the types of necrosis?
Coagulative, liquefactive, gangrenous, caseous, fat, and fibrinoid.
What is gangrenous necrosis?
Coagulative necrosis that resembles mummified tissue (dry gangrene). If superimposed infection of the dead tissue occurs, liquefactive necrosis ensues (wet gangrene).
Where does gangrenous necrosis most often occur?
It is characteristic of ischemia of the lower limb and GI tract.
Describe caseous necrotic tissue?
Soft and friable, cottage cheese appearance.
When and where does caseous necrosis occur?
It is characteristic of granulomatous inflammation due to tuberculous or fungal infection. It’s a combination of coagulative and liquefactive necrosis.
What is fat necrosis?
Necrotic adipose tissue with a chalky-white appearance due to the deposition of Ca.
When and where does fat necrosis occur?
Trauma to fat (e.g. breast) and pancreatitis-mediated damage of peripancreatic fat. These 2 processes release fatty acids, which then bind Ca in saponification.
What is dystrophic calcification?
When Ca deposits on dead tissues.
What does fat necrosis have to do with dystrophic calcification?
Saponification is an example of dystrophic calcification (Ca deposits on dead tissue). The necrotic tissue acts as a nidus for calcification.
What are the serum Ca and P levels in dystrophic calcification? metastatic calcification?
Ca and P levels are normal. Deposition occurs because there’s a nidus.Ca and P levels are high, leading to deposition throughout the body.
What’s the ddx for Ca deposits in the breast?
Carcinoma in situ or fat necrosis.
Why might a patient with fat necrosis think they have breast cancer?
The release of fatty acids can sometimes lead to a giant cell reaction, in which the pt might present with a mass consisting of fat, giant cells, and calcification.
What is fibrinoid necrosis?
Necrotic damage to the blood vessel wall causes proteins (including fibrin) to leak into the wall.
How do you identify fibrinoid necrosis?
It stains bright pink.
When does fibrinoid necrosis occur?
Characteristic of malignant hypertension and vasculitis.
What is malignant hypertension?
HT that can cause acute damage, like papilledema, hemorrhage, etc. It’s a medical emergency.
What kind of necrosis would pre-eclampsia lead to?
Fibrinoid necrosis of the placental vessels.
What is a free radical?
A chemical species with unpaired electrons in their outer orbits. They react with and disrupt other stuff.
What is apoptosis?
Energy dependent, genetically programmed cell death involving single cells or groups of cells.
Examples of apoptosis?
Endometrial shedding during menstruation.Removal of cells during embryogenesis (abscence->e.g. syndactyly).CD8 T cell-mediated killing of virally infected cells.
Describe the morphologic changes in the apoptotic process?
As the dying cell shrinks, the cytoplasm becomes more eosinophilic (pink). The nucleus condenses (pyknosis) and fragments (karyorrhexis), and then apoptotic bodies fall (apoptosis means “falling of leaves” in greek) from the cell and are removed by macrophages.
What are the main enzymatic mediators of apoptosis? How do they work?
Caspases, which activate proteases and endonucleases.
How are caspases activated?
3 pathways:1. Intrinsic mitochondrial pathway2. Extrinsic receptor-ligand pathway3. Cytotoxic CD8 T cell-mediated pathway
What is Bcl2?
It stabilizes the mitochondrial membrane, keeping cytochrome c inside.
What events lead to the inactivation of Bcl2? What’s the consequence?
Cellular injury, DNA damage, and loss of hormonal stimulation. Inactivation of Bcl2 allows cytochrome c to leak from the inner mitochondrial matrix into the cytoplasm and activate caspases.
What is the extrinsic receptor-ligand pathway?
One of the pathways that can activate caspases and lead to apoptosis. FAS ligand binds FAS death receptor (CD95) on the target cell, activating caspases.Alternatively, TNF binds the TNF receptor on the target cell, activating caspases.
What is the FAS death receptor?
CD95 on the target cell.
What is the cytotoxic CD8 T cell-mediated pathway?
CD8 T cells secrete perforins, which create pores in the membrane of target cells. They then secrete granzymes, which can enter through the pores and activate caspases. This is how CD8 T cells kill virally infected cells.
When does apoptosis occur in aberrant T cell maturation?
Negative selection in the thymus, which assesses whether or not the T cell binds too avidly to self-Ag. If it does, FAS ligand is expressed, binds FAS death receptor, apoptosis.+ selection, on the other hand, tests to make sure that the T cell can properly bind self-Ag on MHC.
What are the 2 ways a cytotoxic T cell kills cells expressing foreign Ag?
Fas-induced apoptosis and perforin pathway.
When does physiologic free radical generation occur?
Oxidative phosphorylation
What enzyme transfers electrons to O2, the final electron acceptor?
Cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV).
What are the free radicals produced in ox phos?
O2 + 1 electron=superoxide (O2-)2=hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)3=hydroxyl radical (OH)4=water (H2O)
When does pathologic generation of free radicals arise?
Ionizing radiation, inflammation, metals, drugs and chemicals.
How does ionizing radiation generate free radicals?
Water is hydrolyzed to hydroxyl free radical
What is the most damaging free radical?
Hydroxyl
How does inflammation generate free radicals?
NADPH oxidase generates superoxide during oxygen dependent killing by neutrophils.
How do metals create free radicals? What important reaction does this?
e.g. copper and iron. Fe2 generates hydroxyl radicals in the Fenton reaction.
How do drugs and chemicals create free radicals?
The P450 system can generate free radicals in the process of metabolism (e.g. of acetaminophen).
How do our bodies eliminate free radicals?
Antioxidants, enzymes, and metal carrier proteins
What antioxidants do our bodies use?
Glutathione, vitamins A, C, E, etc.
What enzymes do our bodies use to eliminate free radicals? How do they work?
Superoxide dismutase (mitochondria) converts superoxide to H2O2.Glutathione peroxidase (mitochondria)-GSH+free radical->GSSG and H2OCatalase (peroxisomes) converts H2O2 to O2 and H2O
What are 2 examples of metal carrier proteins that reduce free radical damage?
Transferrin and ceruloplasmin
What is the mechanism of tissue damage in hemochromatosis and Wilson dz?
Free radical damage
What 2 key features will indicate an apoptotic cell?
Small nucleus, pink cytoplasm.
What is CCl4 and what is its significance? What cellular and gross changes will be seen?
It’s an organic solvent used in dry cleaning. It’s converted to CCl3 (a free radical) by the P450 system. Results in cell injury with swelling of RER; as ribosomes detach, protein synthesis is impaired. This decreases apolipoprotein production, leading to fatty changes in the liver as fat can’t be mobilized.
How does reperfusion injury work? How will you detect it?
As blood returns to ischemic tissue, O2-derived free radicals further damage the tissue.For example, in an MI, cardiac enzymes will rise (e.g. troponin). When you reperfuse (cath), they will continue to rise rather than fall.
What is amyloidosis?
Misfolded proteins get deposited in the extracellular space, damaging tissues.
What is amyloid?
Any misfolded protein.
What are the shared features among all amyloid?
B pleated sheets and congo red staining/apple green birefringence under polarized light.
Where does amyloid deposition occur?
Can be systemic or localized.
What is primary amyloidosis? What conditions is it associated with?
Systemic deposition of AL amyloid, which is derived from Ig light chain. It’s associated with plasma cell dyscrasias (e.g. multiple myeloma).
What is secondary amyloidosis?
Systemic deposition of AA amyloid, which is derived from serum amyloid-associated protein (SAA).
What is SAA (serum amyloid associated) protein?
An acute phase reactant that is increased in chronic inflammatory states, malignancy, and Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF).
What is Familial Mediterranean Fever? Inheritance? Presentation?
FMF is a dysfx of neutrophils that occurs in people of Mediterranean origin. Inheritance is autosomal recessive. It presents with episodes of fever and acute serosal inflammation. There is high SAA during attacks, depositing AA amyloid in tissues.
What dzs can FMF mimic?
Appendicitis, arthritis, or myocardial infarction, because of the acute serosal inflammation and fever.
What are the clinical findings in systemic amyloidosis?
Nephrotic syndrome, restrictive cardiomyopathy/arrhythmia, tongue enlargement/malabsorption/hepatosplenomegaly.
Which organ is most commonly involved in systemic amyloidosis?
The kidney, nephrotic syndrome.
How do you diagnose/tx systemic amyloidosis?
Diagnosis requires a tissue biopsy, which can be taken easily from the abdominal fat pad or rectum. Damaged organs must be transplanted, as amyloid cannot be removed.
What are some examples of localized amyloidosis (6 listed)?
Senile cardiac amyloidosis, familial amyloid cardiomyopathy, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, alzheimer dz, dialysis-associated amyloidosis, and medullary carcinoma of the thyroid.
What is senile cardiac amyloidosis? Symptoms? Prevalence?
Non-mutated serum transthyretin deposits in the heart. Usually asymptomatic, but is present in 25%>80 yo.
What is familial amyloid cardiomyopathy? Prevalance?
Mutated serum transthyretin deposits in the heart, causing restrictive cardiomyopathy. 5% of AAs carry the mutated gene.
How does DM type II cause localized amyloidosis?
Amylin is a protein derived from insulin. As the tissues become insulin-resistant, the pancreas pumps out more insulin, and thus more amylin, which then deposits in the islets.
Describe the localized amyloidosis in Alzheimer dz?
A-beta amyloid is derived from B-amyloid precursor protein and deposits in the brain, forming amyloid plaques.
Where is the gene for B-APP (beta-amyloid precursor protein) located? Significance?
Chromosome 21. Thus, most people with Down Syndrome will develop early-onset Alzheimer dz (usually by age 40).
What is dialysis-associated amyloidosis?
B2-microglobulin deposits in the joints.
Why does medullary carcinoma of the thyroid cause amyloidosis? Hallmark of histology?
Calcitonin (produced by tumor cells) deposits within the thyroid (“tumor cells in an amyloid background”)