E1. Autoimmunity

Question 1

How does autoimmunity arise

Answer 1

loss of tolerance to ‘self’

Question 2

immune tolerance is a lack of

Answer 2

immunological reactivity to an antigen

Question 3

Describe Rheumatoid Arthritis

Answer 3

Pannus formation: abnormal formation
many genes + environmental factors
infection, smoking, diet

Question 4

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Answer 4

arthritic condition: joints & ligaments spine & pelvic girdle
95% of patients have gene: HLA B27
- need genes + environment

Question 5

Klebsiella Pneumoniae

Answer 5

antigen determines similar B27: molecular mimicry: similar antigenic determinants - cross reactive,
inflammation = induction neutrophils/ proliferation fibroblasts = breakdown

Question 6

environmental factors

Answer 6

smoking, pollution, food, chemicals, radiation, infectious agents
trigger inflammation/ alters self proteins
can take years to trigger disease

Question 7

hapten

Answer 7

a molecule that is incapable, alone, of causing the production of antibodies but which can do so when fastened to a larger antigenic molecule called a carrier

Question 8

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Answer 8

fat, female, forty (thyroxine controls)
hypothyroidism: insufficient production
gland heavily infiltrated: lymphocytes & monocnuclear phagocytes
extensive destruction of thyroid tissue
- self reactive lymphocytes & phagocytes

Question 9

Graves disease

Answer 9

thyroid Ab mimic effect of TSH = over secretion of TH –> hyperthyroidism
Ab bind receptor for thyroxine
immune system in overdrive
–> hyperthyroidism

Question 10

? Intrinsic factor transports..

Answer 10

B12 - (parietal cells in stomach)

Ab to intrinsic factor being commonly found in thyroiditis patients & vice versa