Genetics, rheum, asthma and transplantation Flashcards
Mechanism of asthma?
Allergen interacts with IgE molecule on the mast cell, which lead the mast cell to degranulate and release Histamine. Histamine cause the muscles to contract and attract other cells (T- and B-lymphocytes). This muscle contraction decreases the FEV1
What is Scleroderma?
Autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin, blood vessels and other organs (lungs, GI tract, kidneys)
Diagnosis of asthma? (3)
Asthma: reversible obstructive airway disease
Diagnosis:
- Increase of 12% change in FEV1 after inhaled bronchodilator
- Decrease of 20% change in FEV1 after inhalation of methacholine or histamine
- Decrease of 15% following standardized exercise challenge
Prevention of GVHD following blood transfusion?
Irradiation of fresh blood products to inactivate T lymphocytes
What are the symptoms of Sclorederma? (2)
CREST syndrome
Raynaud’s phenomenon
What is DiGeorge Syndrome?
Deletion 22q11, in the region of gene 6 (use FISH or microarray!)/microdeletion in chromosome 22
Treatment of Familial Mediterranean Fever?
Colchicine: prevents inflammatory attacks and the deposition of amyloid by interfering with tubulin/microtubules. This reduces the number of WBC traveling to inflamed areas
What occurs with graft vs host disease?
- Graft attacks the host (GVHD): Donor T-lymphocytes attack host following interaction with human leukocyte antigens (HLA) expressing peptides: HLA I, and HLA II (encoded by MHC)
MHC class II matching is essential for what transplants?
Bone marrow transplant
Clinical manifestations of GVHD following blood transfusion? (5)
Skin rash Fever Diarrhea, gut dysfunction Pancytopenia (bone marrow aplasia) Hepatitis
Mechanism of GVHD following solid organ transplant?
Immune-mediated or large number of immune competent cells in the graft are transplanted into the pharmacologically immunosuppressed recipient
What are the treatments for asthma? (3)
- Anti-inflammatory: steroids
- Anti-mediators: antihistamines, antileukotrienes (you must target both IL-4 and IL-13)
- Anti-IgE: Omalizumab
Why is bone marrow not affected in GVHD following an allogeneic stem cell transplant?
Bone marrow is not affected; no pancytopenia. This is because there’s no recipient bone marrow cells, so the graft cells are the only cells there
What is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?
Systemic autoimmune disease characterized by immune complex deposition in the affected organs
Mechanism of GVHD following blood transfusion?
Rare attack on recipient tissues by T lymphocytes in the transfused product
Treatment for GVHD following solid organ transplant?
Systemic steroids
Criteria for diagnosis for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?
Criteria are not for diagnosis! Only for studies! Diagnosis is based on expert opinion