Hypersensitivity Flashcards
Describe the difference between a Pathogenic Antigen and an Allergen
Both are molecules capable of inducing an immune response from pathogen (antigen) vs from non-pathogen (allergen)
Hypersensitivity
Exaggerated response to a harmless antigen that results in injury to the tissue, disease, or even death
Characteristics of Type 1 Hypersensitivity
IgE, Soluble molecule antigen, IgE induced mast cell activation mechanism, Ex Allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma
Characteristics of Type 2 Hypersensitivity
IgG/IgM, Cell associated molecule antigen, Complement mediated phagocytosis mechanism, Ex Chronic urticaria (auto antibodies)
Characteristics of Type 3 Hypersensitivity
IgG/IgM, Soluble Molecule, Tissue damage induced by immune complexes mechanism, ex serum sickness, arthus reaction
Characteristics of Type 4 Hypersensitivity
T cells, Soluble or cell associated molecule antigen, T cell mediated inflammation or cytotoxicity mechanism, Ex Multiple sclerosis, contact dermatitis, crohn’s disease
How does IgE respond in a Type 1 Hypersensitivity reaction?
IgE binds to FcEpsilonR on mast cells and basophils
Cross-linking of Mast Cell IgE with allergen triggers clinical signs of type 1 HS
Characteristic of atopic individuals
1 - IgE immune response to allergen develops-characteristic of atopic individuals
2 - IgE binds to FcEpsilonR on mast cells and basophils
3 - Subsequent allergen exposure results in cross-linking of two+ IgE on surface
4 - Cross-linking triggers immediated release of preformed mediators - Fast (seconds to minutes)
5 - Activated cells also synthesize late mediators (6-8hrs) from membrane phospholipids
What are the phases of type 1 hypersensitivity?
Immediate/Initial vs Late phase
What are mediators of type 1 hypersensitivity?
Immediate - fast released, preformed mediators (Granule contents - Histamine, Proteases, Chemotatic factors)
Late - synthesized from membrane phospholipids
Anaphylaxis
Caused by? systemic release of histamine
Examples of Type 1 Hypersensitivity
Rhinitis (pollen), Food allergies (nuts)
- from localized release of histamine in nasal area or GI tract
Skin testing/Patch test Type 1 Hypersensitivity Testing
- Gold standard
- Inject allergen under skin, wheal and flare develop within 15 minutes in sensitized individuals
Problems - Variability (site, amount of allergen), severe reaction
Type 1 Hypersensitivity testing
In vivo vs in vitro
Vivo - Skin testing/ Patch test
Vitro - RIST/RAST
RIST vs RAST
RIST - Radio Immuno Sorbent Test : Measure total IgE
RAST - Radio Allergo Sorbent Test : Measure antigen-specific IgE
RIST results
<2 = Normal in infants = Not allergic >10 = high in infants = highly likely allergy >/= 100 = Possible allergy = additional testing >/= 400 = Abnormally high in adults = Highly likely atopy
Mechanisms of Type 2 Hypersensitivity reactions
Killing of target cell by effector-macrophage/NK cell, Complement mediated lysis, Receptor specific autoantibody interferes with signal transduction
type 2 Hypersensitivity examples
- Transfusion reactions
- Hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN)
- Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (including warm and cold autoagglutinins)
- Goodpasture’ssyndrome
- Hashimoto’s disease
- Myasthenia gravis
Hemolytic disease of the newborn
appears in infants whose mothers have been exposed to blood-group antigens on the baby’s cells that differ from their own. The mother makes IgG antibodies in response to these antigens that cross the placenta to destroy the fetal RBCs
- Exposure usually occurs during the birth process when fetal cells leak into the mother’s circulation. Typically, the first child is unaffected; however, the second and later children have an increased risk of the disease because of an anamnestic re- sponse
Treatment for severe HDN
involves an exchange transfusion to replace antibody-coated RBCs. If serum antibody titrations during the pregnancy in- dicate a high level of circulating antibody, intrauterine trans- fusions can be performed
HDN Prevention
To prevent the consequences of HDN, all women should be screened at the onset of pregnancy. If they are Rh-negative, they should be tested for the presence of anti-D antibodies on a monthly basis. In current practice, anti-D immune globulin, called Rhogam, is administered prophylactically at 28 weeks of gestation and within 72 hours following delivery.43 The mecha- nism by which Rhogam works is not completely known, but it is thought to facilitate clearance of the fetal RBCs through opsoniza- tion and therefore suppress production of maternal antibody
type 2 Hypersensitivity tests
Direct test (DAT), Coomb’s, Indirect test
characteristics of type 2 hypersensitivity tests
DAT - Need baby’s blood, detects in vivo binding of Ig to RBC
Coomb’s - Antiglobulin test (anti-IgG + anti-C3b), Followed by anti-igG alone or anti-C3b alone tests to determine if causative Ig is IgG or IgM
Indirect test - Need mom’s serum, detects ex vivo binding of Ig to RBC
Allergen
An antigen that triggers a type I hypersensitivity response
i.e., an allergy
Allergy immunotherapy (AIT)
Therapy involving administrationof increasing doses of an allergen over time with the goal of inducing immune tolerance to the allergen
Anaphylaxis
A life-threatening response to an allergen characterized by the systemic release of histamine
Arthus reaction
A type III hypersensitivity skin reaction that occurs when an animal has a large amount of circulating antibody and is exposed to the antigen intradermally, resulting in localized deposition of immune complexes
Atopy
An inherited tendency to respond to naturally occurring allergens; it results in the continual production of IgE
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
An autoimmune disorder in which patients form antibodies that destroy their own red blood cells (RBCs)