First Pass Miss Exam 2 Flashcards
What cells in the tissue release inflammatory cytokines initiating the innate immune response?
Mast cells and dendritic cells (note that DCs make IL-1 / TNF)
What cytokines does the Th17 subset of CD4+ T helper cells secrete and what does this do? What causes formation of this subset?
Secretes IL-17 -> recruits inflammatory response via neutrophils and monocytes
Induced by TGF-beta in combination with IL-6
What are the two types of Treg cells and what cytokines do they release?
All secrete IL-10 / TGF-beta, which suppress the immune response
Natural T-regs = CD4+,CD25+, FoxP3+ T cells which were developed in thymus, suppress autoreactive T cells
Adaptive regulatory T cells = Originally CD4+ cells which are induced to express CD25 marker in the periphery, typically involved in mucosal immunity (i.e. MALT)
What cytokines does the Th1 subset of CD4+ Tcells secrete and what does this do? What causes formation of this subset?
Secretes IFN-y -> activates macrophages, induces class switching to IgG, suppresses Th2 response
Induced by macrophages secreting IL-12, IFN-y
Where are follicular dendritic cells present and what is their function?
Exist in germinal centers of lymphoid follicles, function to hold onto antigens for long periods of time and present these to B lymphocytes, promoting their activation. They sit there and accept antigens from them and hold onto them while they mutate and adapt.
-> let the B cells undergo somatic hypermutation and affinity maturation
What cells have MHC Class 2 and what can increase their expression?
Located on B cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages, but only constitutively expressed in dendritic cells. Upregulated via IFN-y.
How do NK cells activate antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity?
Their Fc receptors bind an immunoglobulin which has bound a cell (part of adaptive immune response), and they release perforin / granzymes into the target cell. Can also use FasL death receptor.
What is Type 1 Hypersensitivity and what antigen-presenting cells are involved in the sensitization phase? How does this occur?
Immediate Hypersensitivity Reaction
2 APCs involved
- Dendritic cells - present allergen via MHC Class II, while secreting IL-4 -> turn naive T-cells into allergen-specific Th2 cells, with clonal expansion
- B cells - bind allergen via their BCR’s, internalize, and present via MHC Class II. This further activates Th2 cells
it’s all about making sensitized Th2 cells which induce IgE via IL-4
What two processes mediate the late phase reaction of Type 1 hypersensitivity?
- Activation of phospholipase A2.
From arachidonic acid: make leukotrienes B4,C4, and D4 and PGD2 from cell membrane
From phospholipids: makes platelet-activating factor. - Secretion of cytokines/chemokines: i.e. IL-4, IL-5, TNF, and IL-1 -> proinflammatory and pro-TH2.
What are the clinical features that can result from increased vasodilation, increased edema, bronchoconstriction, and increased glandular / mucinous secretions? (Type 1 hypersensitivity)
Vasodilation -> localized erythema which may cause shock
Edema -> hives on skin, or nasal / laryngeal edema
Bronchoconstriction -> wheezing / airway constriction following bronchospasm
Glandular / mucinous secretions (from mucinous metaplasia of PSCC) -> rhinorrhea and even mucous plugs
What is the main difference between Type II and Type III hypersensitivity?
Type III hypersensitivity is forming immune complexes to a SOLUBLE antigen, which may be circulating or planted
Type 3: Complement will ALWAYS be involved in tissue damage.
Type 2: Can involve antibody-only processes (cellular dysfunction i.e. Graves disease or myasthenia gravis, or ADCC like killing tumor cells)
What causes secondary damage following complement in Type III hypersensitivity?
Degranulation and ROS via PMNs and macrophages, with resultant endothelial damage and activation of primary / secondary hemostasis and coagulation cascade.
(All primary damage is complement-mediated)
What are the two types of Type IV hypersensitivity? Give two examples of each.
- Delayed-type hypersensitivity
- > contact dermatitis due to poison ivy (atopic dermatitis is Type 1)
- > tuberculosis skin testing
- due to proliferation of CD4+ Th1 type cells - Cytotoxic T-cell mediated hypersensitivity.
- > Graft-versus-host disease
- > Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- due to proliferation of CD8+ Tcells
How does the sensitization phase of (delayed-type) Type IV hypersensitivity differ from Type I hypersensitivity?
Type I hypersensitivity - IL-4 stimulates CD4 differentiation into Th2 cells, which facilitate B cells to make IgE
Type IV hypersensitivity - IL-12 stimulates CD4 differentiation into Th1 cells, which facilitate secretion of IFN-y
What occurs in the effector phase of delayed-type Type IV hypersensitivity?
- Activation and proliferation memory Th1 cells
- > secrete IFN-y, IL-2, TNF, and chemokines to recruit monocytes - Monocytes are activated to M1 macrophages via IFN-y, and stimulate further Th1 proliferation via their IL-12. More TNF, IL-1, and chemokines are made.
What are the initial and late histopathological findings of Type 4 hypersensitivity effector phase?
- Initial -> diffuse infiltrate of Th1 cells
- Later -> collections of activated macrophages, surrounded by Th1 lymphocytes. This is the granulomatous inflammation we know and love.
What is the direct pathway of graft recognition?
Usage of donor’s APCs to stimulate host CD4 or CD8 T cells via the proper MHCs to result in activation
- CD8 cells are activated by cytoplasmic peptides of the graft APCs being presented on MHC Class I, which are recognized as foreign by the receipient’s T cells.
- CD4 T cells are activated by APCs presenting any extracellular peptides on MHC Class II, thus allowing recognition of donor MHC.
What is the effect of the direct pathway in terms of graft rejection?
Results in acute rejection (cell-mediated)
CD8 T cells directly kill graft cells
CD4 T cells activate macrophages via IL-2 and IFN-y and amplify the inflammatory response, leading to graft damage
What is the indirect pathway of graft recognition important for, and which type of T cell participates? Why?
Important for development of chronic rejection
CD4+ T cell participates, but not CD8 T cell since the indirect pathway relies on host APCs presenting to T cells. Host APCs will not be able to present graft material as intracellular / cytoplasmic foreign material, only extracellular (CD4 pathway only).
What type of hypersensitivity is hyperacute graft rejection, and what does it look like?
It is a type 2 hypersensitivity (tissue antigen, insoluble), looks like type 3 because of high levels of complement deposition in tissues, but it’s the donor’s tissues.
- > edema
- > acute inflammatory infiltrate
- > endothelial cell damage, fibrinoid necrosis, hemorrhage, and thrombosis
- > tissue infarct
What are the two primary mechanisms of acute rejection, and which is more easily treatable?
- Cell-mediated - due to T-cell overactivity (from direct pathway)
- > easily treated by increasing immunosuppression (most immunosuppressives effective against T-cell proliferation) - Humoral - due to antibodies formed after transplantation. More difficult to treat.
How does acute, cell-mediated rejection (Type 4) appear histologically?
Interstitial inflammatory infiltrate with T cells and macrophages, injuring tubules (tubulitis) and vascular endothelium (endothelitis and edema)
How does acute, humoral rejection appear histologically? There are really two presentations here, and one is more common.
Since it is due to antibodies, it usually appears exactly like hyperacute rejection (just later).
- Most common - A type 2 hypersensitivity which looks like type 3 w/ associated vasculitis and fibrinoid necrosis.
- Alternatively, can present with vascular intimal thickening via foamy macrophages which are recruited by antibodies which cannot fix complement (low avidity). Fibroblasts and SMCs will proliferate due to cytokine production and lead to tissue atrophy. Not associated with vasculitis, more vessel stenosis by thick intima.
What immunologic mechanism is behind chronic rejection?
Indirect pathway of CD4+ T cell activation
-> activated macrophages and APCs present alloantigens from broken down graft / areas of ischemia, which leads to further T cell activation and subsequent inflammation & breakdown of graft for more antigen presentation.
Other than ABO compatibility, what three things are done to prevent solid organ transplant rejection?
- HLA matching (especially in renal transplants)
- Immunosuppressant therapy
- Induction of immune tolerance by using agents which selectively block co-stimulatory molecules, inducing anergy
Give two reasons why a little bit of graft versus host disease (GVHD) might be good? (Allogeneic stem cell transplant)
- Reduces chances of graft rejection -> remaining recipient T cells which were not ablated will be killed by the donor’s immune system
- Donor cells are often given in malignancy conditions, and if the graft immune system can recognize the host tumors, it can serve better anti-tumor properties
What are the common manifestations of GVHD in terms of which tissues are affected?
- Skin -> often maculopapular rash acutely, with dermal fibrosis chronically
- Liver - often jaundice due to injured bile ducts
- Mucosal surfaces like GI tract, eyes, and mouth can be damaged leading to N/V, eye dryness
- Lymphoid organs -> destruction of thymus and LN
What are some non-immunologic mechanisms of graft rejection?
- Insufficient nephron mass (small kidney in bring person leading to glomerular hyperfiltration)
- Reperfusion injury at engraftment
- Infections due to immunosuppressive therapy
- Immunosuppressive drug toxicity
- Increasing age of recipient with atherosclerosis / hypertension
How does peripheral anergy of B cells occur?
Usually due to lack of self-reactive helper T cells.
How does activation-induced cell death of T-cells occur?
Initially, T-cells are resistant to Fas-mediated apoptosis. However, as they become overactive, they will T cells will overexpress Fas / FasL, allowing for paracrine / autocrine deletion via apoptosis.
How can autoimmune conditions become progressively worse after initiation?
Via the process of epitope spreading -> antigens not normally seen without tissue damage will become expressed, further continuing lymphocyte activation vs self-antigens
What two auto-antibodies are very specific but not sensitive for SLE?
- Anti-dsDNA
2. Anti-Smith antigen
What are the clinical manifestations of these three antibody types? What type of hypersensitivity are these, when relevant?
- Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs) - immune complex formation in small blood vessels (i.e. glomeruli) - Type III hypersensitivity
- Antibodies vs formed blood elements (RBCs, platelets, WBCs) - anemia, thrombocytopenia, or leukopenia (Type II hypersensitivity)
- Antiphospholipid antibodies
- > delayed coagulation in vitro -> lupus anticoagulant antibodies
- > hypercoagulability in vivo -> antiphospholipid antibody syndrome
What kidney condition does SLE cause and why? What are “wire loops” of SLE?
Diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis, due to Type 3 hypersensitivity from antinuclear-Ab complexes, and resultant fibrinoid necrosis, acute inflammation, and thrombosis
Wire loops: Very thick glomerular capillaries seen in SLE due to extensive immune complex deposition
Other than skin, kidneys, and arteries, give a few other places where immune complexes are known to cause problems in lupus?
- Joints -> ultrafiltrate of plasma, type 3 hypersensitivity
- Serosal surfaces -> fibrinous inflammation of peritoneum and especially pericardium
- Heart -> especially valves (vegetations) and pericardium (pericarditis)
What does the homogenous vs speckled indirect immunofluorescence pattern mean
Homogenous - antibodies to diverse nuclear constituents, including DNA and non-DNA elements
Speckled - also nonspecific, antibodies to non-DNA nuclear components
What does a nucleolar pattern mean via the ANA indirect immunofluorescence test? rim? Centromere?
Nucleolar - nucleolar RNA antibodies -> seen with systemic sclerosis
Rim - dsDNA -> specific for SLE
Centromere - CREST = limited systemic sclerosis
What is the highly local lupus variant, and what are its clinical manifestations? How do lesions appear grossly and microscopically?
Chronic discoid lupus erythematosus -> a scarring dermatosis
Involvement of sun-exposed skin on face and scalp, with no antibodies in non-lesional skin
Lesions will appear as scaly skin plaques with red border, and will form scars.
Microscopically, there will be epidermal atrophy, and chronic inflammation around the DE junction (involves basal cells)
How does subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus differ from chronic discoid lupus erythematosus?
Different ANA antibodies cause it, and it results in a mild, non-scarring rash.
Importantly, it will also have some systemic manifestations (not totally local)
What antibodies are associated with each of the following disorders: CREST subtype of systemic sclerosis Drug-induced Lupus Sjogren's syndrome Mixed Connective Tissue Disease
CREST - Anti- Centromere
Drug-induced lupus - antihistone antibody
Sjogren’s = Ribonucleoproteins SS-A / SS-B (anti-Ro/anti-La), also rheumatoid factor
Mixed Connective Tissue Disease = U1 RNP
What is Sjogren syndrome and its two forms? What is the secondary form commonly associated with?
Chronic autoimmune disorder of lacrimal and salivary glands, common in middle-aged women
Primary - sicca syndrome (dry eyes / mouth)
Secondary - associated with another immune disease -> especially rheumatoid arthritis
What are the early and late manifestations of Sjogren syndrome in lacrimal / salivary glands?
Early - lymphocytic and plasma cell infiltration with ductal epithelial hyperplasia
Late - Glandular fibrosis / atrophy
What is diffuse systemic sclerosis? What antibody is associated?
Rapidly progressing variant with widespread skin involvement and rapid progression / early visceral involvement.
Anti-Scl-70 antibody is associated (anti-DNA Topoisomerase 1)
What is limited systemic sclerosis? What is CREST syndrome?
Slowly progressing variant, confined to skin of face / distal upper extremities
-> does not extensively involve visceral organs
Crest - A subset of limited systemic sclerosis, characterized by:
Calcinosis Raynaud phenomenon Esophageal dysmotility Sclerodactyly Telangectasia
How does microvascular damage contribute to worsening of systemic sclerosis?
Increases platelet activation, release of growth factors for fibroblasts -> excessive collagen production
Over time, fibrinoid necrosis w/ vessel narrowing can result in tissue ischemia, resulting in more necrosis and scarring
-> can lead to ischemic ulceration and autoamputation of distal extremities
How do T cells contribute to the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis?
- Stimulation of B cells for ANAs
- Secretion of growth factors for fibroblasts -> excessive collagen production
- Secretion of inflammatory cytokines which lead to persistent injury of microvascular endothelium
What part of the kidney is affected in systemic sclerosis and what systemic effect can this cause?
Affects the afferent arterioles due to excessive fibroblast proliferation -> leads to stenosis of the intima
Decreased renal blood flow will lead to increased renin-angiotensin-aldosterone pathway
-> high blood pressure
What are the two most problematic manifestations of systemic sclerosis now?
- Lungs - Pulmonary interstitial fibrosis -> pulmonary hypertension
- Heart - myocardial fibrosis with possible pericarditis
What are the three primary clinical features of Mixed Connective Tissue Disease? What feature is notably not present?
- SLE characteristics - fever, cytopenias
- Systemic sclerosis characteristics - Hand swelling, Raynaud phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, pulmonary interstitial fibrosis
- Polymyositis - inflammation of muscles
Actually minimal kidney involvement as well despite SLE / Scleroderma manifestations
anti-U1 RNP
What types of infections do B cell deficiencies predispose you to?
- Bacterial - especially encapsulated / pyogenic (S. aureus, S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae)
- Enteroviruses, (i.e. polio & coxsackie)
- Giardia lamblia
Last two need IgA
What is the most common cause of SCID? Its pattern of inheritance?
X-linked
- > due to a defect in IL-2 receptor gamma-chain.
- > deficient T cell proliferation
Why must the donor bone marrow in allogeneic stem cell transplant for SCID be depleted of mature T cells?
Can induce graft-versus-host disease
- > also a risk in blood transfusion
- > all newly developing T cells will develop in patient’s thymus and have central tolerance
What infections is a DiGeorge patient susceptible to?
All infections requiring cytotoxic or delayed hypersensitivity
->viral, fungal, and TB infections
(serum Ig levels, and antibody response to most bacteria is normal assuming there’s any T function at all)
What disorders are associated with XLA and why?
Arthritis and autoimmune diseases like lupus-like disorders (the few autoreactive B cells that make it into the periphery may become active due to defective BTK signalling (required for destroying self-reactive B-cells))
What disorders are associated with selective IgA deficiency?
Increased respiratory allergies, autoimmune diseases like RA / SLE, and Celiac disease
What is common variable immunodeficiency (CVID)? How does it differ from the other similar condition?
The common variable is “hypogammaglobulinemia”
- > group of heterogeneous disorders which decrease Ig’s sometimes only IgG, most often due to failure to form plasma cells, sometimes due to T cell dysregulation
- > differs from Bruton’s because it is autosomal recessive and not X-linked
(seen in girls now)
-> also tends to be diagnosed much later than Bruton’s, in teenage years
What finding is common in lymphoid tissue in the duodenum due to CVID? Why are non-caseating granulomas present in CVID?
Nodular lymphoid hyperplasia -> persistent antigen stimulation of B cells, but plasma cells are absent
Granulomas: Pyogenic bacteria which cannot be neutralized via antibodies must be surrounded by T-cells and macrophages
What disorders are associated with CVID, and what is the treatment?
Autoimmune disorders like RA, and B-cell lymphomas
-> treatment: periodic IV immunoglobulin (same as XLA)
What causes Wiskott-Aldroch Syndrome?
Mutation in WASp, which functions in reorganizing cytoskeletal actin.
This is required for B cell, T cell, and platelet function
Early on, what type of infection are Wiskott-Aldroch patients susceptible to? What poses their greatest risk of death?
Susceptible to encapsulated pyogenic bacterial infection (poor polysaccharide antibody response, peptide is okay)
-> Bleeding risk due to low, small platelet count risks death
With age:
Progressive depletion of lymphocytes in blood and T-cells as well -> loss of cellular immunity (was present before)
-> increased risk of lymphoma. Disease must be treated with stem cell transplant.
What causes Ataxia-Telangectasia? What is the diagnostic quad of ataxia-telangectasia?
Autosomal recessive defect in ATM gene
-> unable to repair double-strand DNA breaks
4 A’s
Cerebellar Ataxia
spider Angiomas (telangectasia)
IgA deficiency -> sinopulmonary infections
elevated Alpha-fetoprotein (impaired organ development)
What causes LAD-1?
CD18 defect, an integrin, required for phagocyte adhesion, migration, and chemotaxis
Autosomal recessive
What are the clinical manifestations of Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (LAD-1)?
Recurrent skin / mucosal bacterial / fungal infections, lack of pus formation (neutrophils cannot migrate out), leukocytosis from high neutrophils in the blood, impaired wound healing, and periodontal disease
What are bare lymphocyte syndrome types II and III a subset of, and what causes them?
Subset of autosomal recessive SCID
-> caused by a deficiency in Class II MHC molecules, and markedly impaired cellular and humoral immunity, predisposing to all infections.
How are lesions in chronic granulomatous disease histologically unique?
Central core of neutrophils surrounded by a T-cell / macrophage lymphoma
-> can’t kill the bacteria via ROS, but can surround and contain the infection in granulomas of subcutaneous tissue
What are two tests for diagnosis of CGD?
- Dihydrorhodamine (DHR) flow cytometry test -> CGD neutrophils can’t oxidize DHR to fluoresce rhodamine
- Nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) -> CGD neutrophils can’t turn yellow NBT to insoluble, black NBT
Treatment: gamma-interferon (make neutrophils better at using the non-oxidative pathway)
What happens to granular cells in (autosomal recessive) Chediak-Higashi?
They have giant granules due to fusion of cytoplasmic granules (defective lysosomes)
-> will lead to neutrophil phagocytosis dysfunction
What happens to the skin in CH?
Giant melanosomes in melanocytes -> partial albinism due to poor spreading of melanin
How is the nervous system affected in CH? Platelets?
Progressive dysfunction and peripheral neuropath, not well understood (likely microtubule dysfunction)
Platelets - mild coagulation deficiency due to dense body problem
What are “skip” metastases?
Skipping metastasis to the first lymph node due to alteration in normal drainage (usually due to surgery or radiation)
What types of tumors spread via hematogenous spread? Do they enter venous or arterial circulation?
Carcinomas -> after lymph nodes
Sarcomas -> directly from mesenchymal cells (do not typically go to lymph nodes first)
Typically enter venous circulation first since walls are thinner
Where do the tumors typically spread in hematogenous involvement? State where colon cancer, breast cancer, renal cancer, osteosarcoma, and prostate cancer tends to spread to.
Via wherever the venous drainage goes to, seeding multiple little cancerous nodules
For example:
Colon cancer / Pancreatic cancer -> spread to liver via portal system
Breast cancer, renal cell carcinoma, osteosarcoma -> spread to lungs via systemic circulation
Prostate cancer -> spreads to vertebral bodies via paravertebral plexus
What is a mixed tumor? Give an example.
Neoplasm showing differentiation towards more than one cell type
-> fibroadenoma of the breast, would contain both fibrous connective tissue and glandular tissue
What are some common alterations in function which can occur with loss of differentiation?
- Loss of normal function
- Acquisition of atypical function
-> Aberrant hormone synthesis
parathyroid hormone in squamous cell carcinoma of lung, gastrin in islet cell tumors of pancreas
or
-> synthesis of fetal proteins
AFP in hepatocellular carcinoma
What are the clinical features seen in tumors which seed body cavities?
- Collection of fluid -> ascites, pleural effusion, hydrocephalus, etc due to angiogenesis of tumor
- Accumulation of mucinous material -> for mucous-secreting tumors
What do malignancies do to the overall metabolic status of the patient?
They cause cachexia -> cytokines produced by macrophages &/or tumor cells = TNF, IL-1 -> decrease appetite and increase fat and muscle metabolism.
This leads to a wasting syndrome
What is a paraneoplastic syndrome?
Symptoms occurring in some patients with malignancies which cannot be accounted for by tumor growth / spread or endogenous hormone synthesis of the tissue