Dr Edwardson - Immunosuppression II Flashcards
What are the cells of the adaptive immune system?
Antigen presenting cells
B cells
Th1 and Th2 cells
Memory B and T cells
What is the effect do glucocorticoids have on the adaptive immune system?
Powerfully suppress the cascade process
Give some examples of disease which involve Th1 cells?
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, MS, aplastic anaemia and rheumatoid arthritis
Also implicated in allograft rejection
Give some examples of disease which involve a Th2 cell response?
Predominates in allergic conditions such as asthma
Draw the pathway of glucocorticoid synthesis and the exogenous glucocorticoids that can act upon it
eeofine
Draw a diagram depicting the interaction of glucocorticoids with their receptor
efoi
How does the glucocorticoid receptor bind to DNA?
Through the use of a zinc finger motif
Binds as a dimer
What are the anti-inflammatory genes glucocorticoids upregulate?
Lipocortin-1
Secretory leukocyte inhibitory protein
IL-1 receptor antagonist
IκB
What are the inflammatory genes downregulated by glucocorticoids?
IL-1
TNFα
iNOS
COX-2
What is Cushing’s syndrome? What causes it?
Syndrome characterised by:
- hypertension
- thinning of skin
- thin arms and legs
- easily bruised
- increased abdominal fat
Caused by excess endogenous or exogenous steroid
Hydrocortisone
Short acting corticosteroid (<24hrs)
Used in the treatment of asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and in immunosuppression
Prednisone
Short acting corticosteroid (<24hrs)
Prodrug of prednisolone
Used in the treatment of asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and in immunosuppression
Prednisolone
Short acting corticosteroid (<24hrs)
Active form of prednisolone
Used in the treatment of asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and in immunosuppression
Triamcinolone
Intermediate acting corticosteroid (24-48hrs)
Used in the treatment of asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and in immunosuppression
Dexamethasone
Long acting corticosteroid (>48hrs)
Used in the treatment of asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and in immunosuppression
What are the characteristic of asthma?
Variable airflow
Airway hyper-responsiveness to various stimuli
Episodic bronchoconstriction
What are the features of an asthmatic attack?
Narrowed airway
Tightened muscles constrict airway
Inflamed/thickened airway wall
Mucus
What is the time-course of an asthmatic attack?
Intermediate asthmatic response (Reduced pulmonary function for ~1hr)
Late asthmatic response = 2-6hrs
What are the inflammatory event in an asthmatic attack?
Allergen activates T cells to release cytokines
These stimulate B cells cause production of IgE = Mast cell degranulation (release of histamine, leukotrienes, cytokines)
Also stimulates eosinophils to release leukotrienes chemotactic factors
What are the treatments for asthma?
Inhaled glucocorticoids
Selective β(2) receptor agonist eg salbutamol or salmeterol
Mast cells stabilizers eg cromolyn sodium
Blockers of leukotriene synthesis or receptors eg zileuton and zafirlukast
Muscarinic antagonists eg ipratropium
Theophylline (PD inhibitor)
Cromolyn sodium
Used in treatment of asthma
Mast cell stabilizer - however this is unlikely to be its MODA as other mast cell stabilizers don’t work
More likely that it acts by inhibiting the response of sensory C fibres, inhibiting local axon reflexes and may inhibit the release of T cell cytokines
(Garland 1991)
May be via inhibtion of chloride channels
Zileuton
Blocks leukotriene synthesis through inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase
Used in the treatment of asthma
Zarfirlukast
Leukotriene receptor antagonist used in the treatment of asthma
How do PDE inhibits help in the treatment of asthma?
Prevent the breakdown of cAMP
cAMP => relaxation
How do muscarinic receptor antagonists help in the treatment of asthma?
Reduce stimulation of IP3 through M(3) receptor = reduced Ca+ release and reduced contraction
How do β(2) agonists help in the treatment of asthma?
Stimulate the β2 receptor to stimulate adenylyl cyclase
= ^cAMP and inhibition of MLCK
What are the stimuli that cause histamine release from mast cells? How do these stimuli work?
Cross-linking of IgE bound to FCεR1
Complement components C3a and C5a
Basic drugs eg morphine, tubocurarine and codeine
Mechanical damage
All cause increase in Ca2+ concentration
What are the stimuli that act to inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells?
How do these work?
β-agonists
Phosphodiesterase inhibitors
Sodium cromoglycate
Increase cAMP levels
What are the airway changes in COPD?
Disrupted alveolar attachments,
Mucosal inflammation, fibrosis
Mucus hypersecretion
What are the cell types involved in COPD?
Neutrophils
T-lymphocytes (CD8+)
Macrophages
What do neutrophils secreted in COPD?
IL-6, IL-8, GM-CSF, TNFα, PGE(2), NE, cathepsins and MMPs