Exam 3 Immunopathy Flashcards
Describe type I hypersensitivity reactions and provide examples
- Reaction where injury is caused by TH2 cells, IgE antibodies, mast cells and other leukocytes.
- Examples: anaphylaxis, bronchial asthma, allergies (hay fever and food)
Describe type II hypersensitivity reactions and provide examples
- Reaction where secreted IgG and IgM injure cells by promoting phagocytosis or lysis and injury tissue through induction of inflammation.
- Examples: myasthenia gravis, Graves disease, Goodpasture syndrome
Describe type III hypersensitivity reactions and provide examples
- Reaction where IgG and IgM antibodies bind antigens usually in circulation and the antigen-antibody complex deposits in tissues and induces inflammation.
- Examples: SLE
Describe type IV hypersensitivity reactions and provide examples
- Reactions where sensitized T lymphocytes (TH1, TH17 and CTLs) are the cause of tissue injury.
- Examples: RA, MS
Types of transplantation grafts
- Autograft: self tissue
- Isograft: identical twins
- Allograft: other human, different genetic background
- Xenograft: different species
What is the underlying cause of transplant rejection?
- Immune damage caused by recipient’s response to allograft HLA antigens
Describe mechanisms of graft rejection
- ) Cellular rejection: type IV hypersensitivity reaction
a. ) host CTLs bind and react to class I HLA Ag presented by allogeneic APCs (direct pathway), differentiate into CTLs, release perforins and granzymes leading to apoptosis of graft cells
b. ) TH cells bind and react to class II HLA Ag presented either by allogeneic APCs (direct pathway) or via host APCs (indirect pathway), release cytokines recruiting mononuclear cells, which release IFN-gamma and TNF that leads to inflammatory tissue damage. - ) Humoral rejection: type II and III hypersensitivity reactions
a. ) type II: abs binds to surface HLA in graft endothelium = activation of complement = acute inflammation or vasculitis
b. ) type III: abs against host Ag form immune complexes in circulation and deposit in graft endothelium or in situ = fixing of complement = necrotizing vasculitis
Describe the 3 types of transplant rejection in terms of
a. ) timing
b. ) mechanism
c. ) histological features
- ) Hyperacute
a. ) timing: mins to hours (including intra-operatively)
b. ) mechanism: type III - Preformed abs (previous sensitization via pregnancy, transfusion or prior transplant) where destruction occurs via type III response – immune complex = complement activation
c. ) histological features: fibrinoid necrosis, thrombosis, ischemia - ) Acute
a. ) timing: days to months (1-3)
b. ) mechanism: type II, III and IV response - CD8 cells infiltrate tubular and vascular membranes - CD4 cells produce cytokines = interstitial inflammation - Anti-graft abs deposit in graft vasculature = complement activation
c. ) histological features: lymphocytic infiltrates, tubular necrosis (in case of kidneys), necrotizing vasculitis, intimal thickening (accumulation of fibroblasts, foamy macrophages, myocytes) - ) Chronic
a. ) timing: months (4-6) to years
b. ) mechanism: type II, III and IV response - as above, but chronically leading to proliferative lesions (d/t humoral response) and cytokine induced proliferation of vascular SM and production of collagen in EMC
c. ) histological features: vascular changes, interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy (in case of kidneys), chronic inflammation
Describe liver transplant rejection on acute vs chronic basis
- Acute: cellular response in which portal lymphocytic infiltrates cause damage. Triad seen = portal tract inflammation, bile duct epithelial damage, endothelial damage (portal vein, hepatic artery). Cells seen: lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages and eosinophils.
- Chronic: cellular response as above, but on chronic basis leads to bile duct destruction/disappearance, which is compounded by ischemia from ab-mediated damage to hepatic arterioles. Fibrosis (foam cells, myointimal hyperplasia, luminal obliteration)
Describe heart transplant rejection on acute vs chronic basis. Complications?
- Rejection is cell-mediated. Lymphocytic infiltrates lead to myocyte damage and necrosis. Histology resembles viral myocarditis.
- Acute: lymphocytes surrounding myocytes
- Chronic: lymphocytes stimulate allograft cells to produce GFs that promote vascular SM and ECM
- Complications = graft arteriopathy (change resembling CAD, ie. with intimal thickening, accumulation of foamy macrophages) causing silent MI as heart is denervated, infections (EBV)
Describe 3 complications resulting from hematopoietic cell transplants. Describe histologic features of acute/chronic GVHD.
- ) GVHD (graft versus host disease): type IV reaction via CD4 (via cytokines) and CD8 attack recipient tissue where targets are skin, liver and GI tract
a. ) Acute: epithelial necrosis. Triad: exfoliative rash, enteritis (blood diarrhea), hepatic involvement (bile duct necrosis) = jaundice
b. ) Chronic: fibrosis of dermis with destruction of skin appendages, esophageal strictures and liver/bile duct damage manifested by jaundice. - ) Graft failure / rejection: some host NK cells or T cells survive irradiation and react against graft
- ) Immunodeficiency: irradiation leads to immunodeficiency and susceptibility to serious, recurrent infections especially d/t viruses such as CMV and EBV. Autoimmune disorders can also develop.
Discuss the etiology of autoimmune diseases in terms of genes, microbes, gender
- Genes:
a. ) Certain MHC (D Locus) genes confers higher susceptibility to loss of self tolerance
b. ) PTPN-22 polymorphism - Microbes: certain infections cause cross-reactivity with self-tissue, increased expression of APC co-stimulation molecules and non-specific B and T cell stimulation (EBV and HIV)
- Gender: higher in females
Mechanisms that explain autoimmunity
- ) Failure of T cell anergy
- ) Failure of apoptosis of self-reactive cells
- ) Failure of T cell mediated suppression (by T-regs)
- ) Cross-reactivity/molecular mimicry (microbes)
- ) Polyclonal lymphocyte activation
- ) Emergence of sequestered Ag
- ) Exposure of cryptic ag determinants
SLE.
a. ) Incidence and prevalence
b. ) Genetic factors
c. ) Age and sex association
d. ) Clinical criteria for diagnosis
e. ) Etiology
f. ) Pathogenesis
g. ) Lab diagnosis
h. ) Clinical presentation (include organs affected and corresponding histology)
a. ) 1/700 (1/245 black) females
b. ) HLA-DQ locus
c. ) 9:1 F:M ratio, onset bw 2nd-3rd decade of life
d. ) Malar (butterfly) rash, discoid rash, photosensitivity, oral ulcers, arthritis (2+ joints), serositis (ST elevation in all leads), renal disorder. Neurologic disorder, hematologic disorder (100% of patients), immunologic disorder, ANA abs
e. ) Genes, environment triggers (UV, viruses, drugs, hormones), immune system defect (self-reactive TH escape tolerance, defects in elimination of self-reactive B cells)
f. ) B and T cells specific for self-nuclear antigens, defective clearance of apoptotic bodies = increase burden of nuclear antigens, overall high level of AN IgG antibodies. Type II implicated in hematologic abnormalities and type III implicated in visceral lesions.
g. ) ANAs directed against 4 categories of nuclear ag including DNA, histones, proteins:RNA, nucleolar material.
- Homogenous fluorescence pattern seen in drug induced SLE (anti-histones ab).
- Rim fluorescence pattern seen in SLE with renal involvement and active flares (anti-dsDNA ab).
- Speckled fluorescence pattern seen in SLE (anti-smith ab to ribonucleoprotein).
- Nucleolar fluorescence pattern also seen in SLE.
- Antibodies specific to lupus = anti-dsDNA, anti-smith, anti-blood cells, anti-phospholipid (hyercoagulability in vivo).
h. ) Any organ, commonly skin, joints, kidneys and serous membranes. Presentation is mild dermatological and joint symptoms to life-threatening organ failure and cytopenias. Death d/t renal failure, infection and/or CAD.
- Skin (facial rash, also trunk or extremities): degeneration of basal layer, lymphocytic infiltrates, deposition of IgG and complement at junction
- Joints (hands, knees, ankles commonly): mononuclear inflammatory synovitis, no joint destruction
- Vascular changes: immune complexes deposit in vascular beds and complement activated (type III). If acute = fibrinoid necrosis of arteries/arterioles. If chronic = layered fibrous thickening (onion-skin appearance)
- Kidneys: major cause of morbidity and mortality. Lupus nephritis = glomerular changes with frank necrosis d/t immune complex induced inflammation with proliferation of endothelial/epithelial and mesangial cells. Tubulointerstitial changes also seen.
- Serosal membranes (principally involving pleurae and pericardium): Acutely, exudation of fibrin. Chronically, proliferation of fibrous tissue = adhesions.
- Heart: pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis (Libman-Sacks vegetations), accelerated CAD
- Lungs: pleuritis with effusion. Acutely, pneumonitis with alveolar damage, edema and hemorrhage. Chronically, interstitial and vascular fibrosis leading to pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary HTN.
- CNS: focal deficit, seizures, psychosis. Mild histopathological changes. Vasculitis: small vessel thickening with intimal proliferation, ischemia and microinfarcts
Describe forms of Lupus
- ) SLE: see above
- ) Drug-induced: drugs such as D-penicillamine, procainamide, hydralazine, isoniazid causes a lupus-like syndrome with pos anti-histones and anti-dsDNA abs with multiple organ involvement, presence of rash, fever, arthralgias and serositis. Remission following cessation of drugs.
- ) Chronic discoid: variety of skin lesions without systemic features
- ) Subacute cutaneous: diffuse superficial nonscarring photosensitive lesions with mild systemic disease
Sjögrens syndrome
a. ) Age and sex association
b. ) Pathogenesis
c. ) Lab diagnosis
d. ) Clinical presentation (include organs affected and corresponding histology)
e. ) Complications
a. ) Female predominance, especially during middle ages
b. ) Thought that infection by superAg (eg. EBV, HepC or other microbe) triggers CD4 T cell rxn against glandular epithelial cells with induction of polyclonal B cell hyperactivitiy auto-ab production against nuclear antigens.
c. ) ANAs to ribonucleoproteins SS-A (Ro) and SS-B (La) is common. This is associated with speckled pattern. - 75% of cases also positive to RF (rheumatoid factor).
d. ) Primary form (sicca syndrome) with xerostomia (dry mouth) w/fissure, ulcers, dental caries; keratoconjunctiva sicca, nasal septa erosition, dysphagia, dyspareunia (painful intercourse) = ~40% of cases. 25% of cases have extraglandular involvement (interstitial nephritis, pulmonary fibrosis, peripheral neuropathy, synovitis). Other cases (~60%) associated with other autoimmune disorders.
- Glands: activated CD4 T cells, B cells, plasma cells into ducts. Follicle formation with germinal centers. Ductal epithelial hyperplasia leads to obstruction of ducts. Acinar atrophy, fibrosis, fat replacement.
e. ) 40% increased risk of B cell lymphoma
Systemic sclerosis
a. ) What is it? Variants?
b. ) Age and sex association
c. ) Pathogenesis
d. ) Lab diagnosis
e. ) Clinical presentation (include organs affected and corresponding histology)
a. ) Autoimmune dz characterized by chronic inflammation, destruction of small vessels and progressive tissue fibrosis. Affects GIT, kidney, heart, lungs, musculoskeletal system. - Diffuse variant: skin involvement at onset, early visceral involvement, rapid progression - Limited variant (CREST syndrome): limited skin involvement of face, forearms and fingers with late visceral involvement. CREST = calcinosis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, telangiectasia
b. ) 3:1 F:M, 50-60 yo
c. ) Unknown trigger activates CD4 T cells to secrete cytokines that promote fibrogenesis (TGF-beta, IL-1, PDGF and FGF) and cause microvascular damage. Ultimately this leads to fibrosis. B cells also activated to produce ANAs. d.) Anti-Scl-70 (to topoisomerase: speckled pattern) in mostly diffuse variant case. Anti-centromere (nucleolar and centromere-specific patterns) in mostly CREST (limited variant) case.
e. ) See above for clinical presentation. Cause of death: renal, cardiac, pulmonary, GI dysfunction/failure.
- Skin: Early = edema and CD4 T cell infiltrates. Late = epidermal thinning, dermal appendage fibrosis, subcut calcifications, contractures and mask facies. Vascular endothelial damage and fibrosis (dense collagen) = ischemia and autoamputation of digits.
- GI (90% of cases): Collagen and fibrotic deposition in esophagus = esophageal dysmotility, LES dysfunction = reflux. Small bowel = mucosal thinning, loss of villi/microvilli and submucosal fibrosis = malabsorption.
- Musculoskeletal: Early = nondestructive hyperplasia and inflammation of synovium. Late = fibrosis of synovial and peri-articular CT. In 10 % of cases, myositis with lymphocytic infiltrates and fiber atrophy occurs.
- Renal (2/3rd cases): thickening of interlobular arteries by proliferation of intimal cells = deposition of collagenous or mucinous material = hyaline change. May result in HTN.
- Pulmonary (50% of cases): mild interstitial pneumonitis, alveolar fibrosis = respiratory insufficiency = pulmonary HTN = cor pulmonale
- Cardiac (1/3rd of cases): pericarditis with effusion. Perivascular lymphoid infiltrates leads to arteriolar thickening and interstitial fibrosis and restrictive cardiomyopathy.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
a. ) Age and sex association
b. ) Genetic factors
c. ) Pathogenesis
d. ) Lab diagnosis
e. ) Clinical presentation (include organs affected and corresponding histology)
a. ) 3-5:1 F:M, any age commonly 40-70s
b. ) HLA-DRB1, PTPN22
c. ) Antigenic trigger unknown. Initial synovitis with ongoing autoimmune rxn mediated by activated CD4 T cells which produce cytokines that activate macrophages and other immune cells that release degradative enzymes and promote inflammation. IL-1 leads to proliferation of synovial cells and fibroblasts. TNF leads to leukocyte recruitment. Production of rheumatoid factor, which is an IgM auto-ab to Fc region of IgG. Anti-CCP (citrulinnated peptides) or T cell response to CCP contributes to chronic RA. Ultimately pannus formation; destruction of cartilage and bone, fibrosis and ankylosis (stiffness of joint). Vasculitis d/t immune complexes (RF-IgF).
d. ) Loss of joint space via imaging, extra-articular nodules (skin, lungs, spleen, heart), rheumatoid factor
e. ) Mild discomfort to progressive disability. Features include: malaise, fatigue, pain, swelling, stiffness and deformity of small and large joints. Cause of death = amyloidosis, vasculitis, drug therapy complications: bleeding/infection.
- Joint: non-suppurative proliferative destruction synovitis, edema, synovial cell hyperplasia, stromal and perivascular infiltrates. Fibrin deposites on synovial surface. Articular cartilage erosion and osteoclastic destruction of subchondral bone
- Extra-articular lesions (25% of cases): granulomatous inflammation= central fibrinoid necrosis of collagen surrounding macrophages.
What is juvenile idiopathic arthritis? Include symptoms, organs involved, variants, diagnosis.
- Occurs in children less than 16 yo with 2:1 F:M ratio. Symptoms = large joint oligoarthritis – knees, wrists, elbows, ankles; pericarditis, myocarditis, pulmonary fibrosis, glomerulonephritis.
- Still’s disease variant = febrile illness with hepatosplenomegaly, rash and leukocytosis.
- ANA pos, no RF factor or nodules
What is MCTD? Diagnosis.
- Syndrome with overlapping features of SLE and systemic sclerosis. Distinctive d/t minimal renal disease and good response to steroid therapy.
- Anti-U1RNP (ribonucleoprotein)
Correlate each of the following patterns of immunofluorescent staining for ANAs with the specific antibody represented by each, and disease(s) associated with each:
a. ) homogenous (diffuse)
b. ) rim (peripheral)
c. ) speckled
d. ) nucleolar
a. Homogenous = anti-dsDNA, anti-histones – seen in drug-induced SLE
b. Rim = anti-dsDNA – seen in SLE with renal involvement and disease flares
c. Speckled = anti-histones, anti-RNPs, anti-Smith (Sm) – seen with SLE (anti-Sm), systemic sclerosis (specifically anti-Scl-70 in diffuse variant), MCTD, Sjögrens syndrome (anti-SS-A/B)
d. Nucleolar = anti-nucleolar RNA – seen with SLE, systemic sclerosis (specifically CREST/limited variant)
Match each of the following autoantibodies with the major autoimmune disease(s) with which it is associated:
a. ) anti-smith (Sm)
b. ) anti-dsDNA
c. ) anti-histone
d. ) anti-SS-A (Ro) and anti-SS-B (La)
e. ) anti-Scl-70
f. ) anti-centromere
g. ) anti-nuclear RNP
a. ) SLE
b. ) SLE (with renal involvement and active flares)
c. ) SLE (drug-induced)
d. ) Sjögren’s syndrome
e. ) Systemic sclerosis (diffuse variant)
f. ) Systemic sclerosis (CREST/limited variant)
g. ) Specific for SLE mostly
Agammaglobulinemia of bruton.
a. ) genetics
b. ) etiology
c. ) pathogenesis
d. ) immunologic defect
e. ) clinical features
f. ) methods of diagnosis
g. ) therapeutic approach
h. ) complications
a. ) genetics: XR, most common in males
b. ) etiology: mutation in tyrosine kinase gene (c/s 21)
c. ) pathogenesis: failure of normal pre-B cells to undergo further differentiation d/t defect in Bruton tyrosine kinase responsible for pro/pre-B cell signal transduction. This causes absence of mature B cells in blood and peripheral lymphoid tissue.
d. ) immunologic defect: agammaglobulinemia
e. ) clinical features:
- Following depletion of maternal abs, recurrent sinus, oropharyngeal and respiratory infections (d/t pyogenic bacteria such as Staph, strep, H.influenzae, which are normally cleared by complement via opsonization with abs).
- Susceptible to enteric viruses or protozoa d/t lack of IgA.
f. ) methods of diagnosis: lab work indicating absence of Ig
g. ) therapeutic approach: parenteral Ig replacement
h. ) complications: Increased frequency of autoimmune disorders d/t breakdown in self-tolerance or d/t chronic inflammation (d/t chronic infections).
Common variable immunodeficiency
a. genetics
b. etiology
c. pathogenesis
d. immunologic defect
e. clinical features
f. methods of diagnosis
g. therapeutic approach
h. complications and prognosis
a. ) genetics: unclear, equal M:F
b. ) etiology: sporadic and inherited forms, typical onset in 2nd-3rd decades of life
c. ) pathogenesis:
- intrinsic B cell differentiation defect
- abnormal T cell signaling to B cells
- Ultimately, inability of B cells to differentiate into plasma cells. Main feature = hypogammaglobulinemia usually of all Ab classes, occasionally isolated to IgG
d. ) immunologic defect: hypogammaglobulinemia
e. ) clinical features:
- Recurrent bacterial infections of sinuses and respiratory tract
- Increase enteroviral and protozoal infections d/t lack of IgA
f. ) methods of diagnosis: hypogammaglobulinemia
g. ) therapeutic approach: parenteral Ig replacement
h. ) complications and prognosis: increase incidence of autoimmune disorders (such as RA), increase risk of lymphoid cancers and gastric cancers