Hypersensitivity Flashcards
Despite its vital protective role against pathogens, the immune system is often responsible for ___ and is involved in the ___ of many diseases
tissue injury; pathogenesis
Ex: hypersensitivities, autoimmunity, transplant rejections
What are hypersensitivities?
Set of undesirable reactions by the normal immune system. “Over reaction” resulting in uncomfortable, damaging, and even fatal consequences.
Ex: allergies, autoimmune diseases
What state is required for hypersensitivities?
Pre-sensitized (immune) state; person is immune to a particular antigen before tissue damage occurs
What are the 4 types of hypersensitivities based on the triggering mechanism?
- Immediate (Type I)
- Antibody-mediated (Type II)
- Immune complex-mediated (Type III)
- Cell-mediated (Type IV)
Immediate (Type I) Hypersensitivity
Crosslinking of IgE antibodies bound to mast cells by an antigen (allergen)
Antibody-mediated (Type II) Hypersensitivity
Binding of IgG or IgM antibodies to antigens present on cells or basement membranes (our own cells/tissues) - basis for many autoimmune diseases
Immune complex-mediated (Type III) Hypersensitivity
Deposition of immune complexes (Ag/Ab) in tissues
Pre-reaction of Antigen and antibody occurs
Cell Mediated (Type IV) hypersensitivity
T cell-directed mechanisms of tissue injury
systemic anaphylaxis (type I hypersensitivity)
characterized by sudden respiratory and circulatory disruption that can be fatal within minutes due to airway blockage
Symptoms: swelling of the lips and periorbital areas, itching and erythema over wide areas of his body. This is followed by hypotension, tongue swelling and severe breathing difficulty with wheezing.
Mechanism behind Systemic Anaphylaxis (Type I Hypersensitivity) to anesthetic molecules
Reaction of anesthetic molecules with pre-existing specific IgE antibodies bound to the surface of mast cells, followed by release of vasoactive mediators (histamine).
majority of allergies are what type of hypersensitivity?
Type I (some type IV)
step-by-step mechanism of systemic anaphylaxis
- allergen gets into body
- Activation of Th2 cells and IgE class switching in B cells
- production of IgE
- binding of IgE to FceRI on mast cells
- repeat exposure to allergen
- activation of mast cell and cross linking; release of mediators: vasoactive amines, lipid mediators (all immediate), cytokines (later phase)
wheel and flare
Immediate reaction presentation with Type I hypersensitivity
acute phase of Type I hypersensitivity
- 5-30 minutes
- Subsides within 60 minutes
- Vasodilation
- Vascular leakage
- Smooth muscle spasm
*all mediated by histamine
late phase of type I hypersensitivity
- 2-24 hours
- No additional exposure
- Eosinophils, neutrophils, basophils, monocytes, and CD4+ T cells
- Mucosal epithelial cell damage
Type I Hypersensitivity (Immediate) summarized
- Rapid immune reaction (minutes)
- Preformed antibodies (IgE) to allergen
- IgE binds to FceRI on mast cells (stays until next allergen comes by)
- Allergen crosslinks bound IgE molecules and triggers release of vasoactive mediators (histamine)(after second encounter with allergen)
- Acute (< 1hr) and late phases (2 hr - days)
- Local or systemic (anaphylaxis)
Key cells involved in type I hypersensitivities
CD4+ T cells (Th2 type), B cells making IgE antibodies
- Mast cells, basophils (acute phase, contain histamine granules)
- Eosinophils, neutrophils (late phase)
cytokines released from Th2 cells in Type I hypersensitivity
IL-4, IL-13, IL-5
*IL-4 and IL-13 is what tells B cells to make the IgE
*IL-5 activates cells of the late phase
What are the mast cell mediators of Type I hypersensitivity?
- primary: biogenic amines: histamine
- secondary: leukotrienes, prostaglandins, platelet activating factor, cytokines
effects of histamine release
- Increased vascular permeability
- Smooth muscle contraction (airways)
- Increased mucous gland secretion
- Produced by mast cells, basophils, platelets
Secondary mediators in mast cells
- Leukotrienes (C4 & D4): what inhalers inhibit
- Prostaglandins (D2)
- Platelet Activating Factor (PAF)
- Cytokines
describe the histamine receptors
- Histamine Receptors (H1, H2, H3)
- Acute allergic reactions mediated by H1 receptors on
smooth muscle and endothelial cells: this is why allergy leads to smooth muscle contraction and vasodilation
what do antihistamines do?
Antihistamines (prevent binding to H1 receptors) are a main line of treatment for allergic reactions
what are Arachidonic Acid Metabolites (AA)?
- Derived from arachidonic acid (20 carbon unsaturated fatty acid - eicosanoids). Present in phospholipids of cell membranes.
- Release of AA is mediated by phospholipases(activated by inflammatory stimuli)
two main pathways of Arachidonic Acid Metabolites (AA)
- Cyclooxygenases (COX-1, COX-2) (Prostaglandins and
Thromboxanes) – Target of many NSAIDs
- Lipooxygenases (Leukotrienes and Lipoxins)
*many anti-inflammatory meds block production of prostaglandins
*leukotriene inhibitors used for asthma
what are the effects of mediators?
- Preformed mediators responsible for early phase (edema, itching, smooth muscle contraction).
- Later, synthesized mediators (prostaglandins and cytokines) and recruited cells for late phase.
- Combined effect is to attract circulating eosinophils, basophils, neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes (Th2) to site of mast-cell activation
- Beneficial in parasite immunity but damaging in allergic reactions (today’s immune systems not used to reacting to these antigens so now overreact)
IgE-crosslinking is the main trigger of Type I hypersensitivity, but mast cell degranulation can also be induced by…
i.e. mast cells induced to release granules without IgE
- Complement anaphylatoxins (C3a, C5a)
- Certain drugs/chemicals (codeine, morphine,
adenosine, mellitin, local anesthetics, contrast media) - Calcium ionophores
- Eosinophil products (eosinophil basic protein)
- Certain cytokines (IL-8)
- Excess cold, heat, environmental irritants
What factors are responsible for the clinical Presentation of Type I Hypersensitivities?
- Amount of allergen-specific IgE present (bound to mast cells) (people with a lot of allergies have more IgE)
- Amount/dose of allergen encountered
- Route of allergen contact/entry into the body: local vs. systemic contact
Clinical Manifestations of Allergens in Skin
- Urticaria, hives
- Angioedema
- Atopic dermatitis or eczema
urticaria
allergic reaction of the skin characterized by the eruption of pale red, elevated patches called wheals or hives
*cutaneous tissue
Angioedema
swelling of the blood vessels;
*subcutaneous tissue
Atopic dermatitis or eczema
erythematous papules and vesicles with weeping, oozing crusts. allergies, asthma.
*chronic form
Clinical Manifestations of Inhaled Allergens
- Allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis
- Allergic asthma
- Chronic inflammation in allergic asthma can be perpetuated in absence of allergen
- Development of airway hyper-responsiveness
*airway can become full of inflammatory cells and mucous, resulting in closing of airway and death
Clinical Manifestations of Allergens in Blood
Most severe: systemic anaphylaxis
- Injections, insect bites, rapidly absorbed ingested
allergens (e.g., penicillin, wasp venom, eating peanuts)
- IgE-independent reactions can be caused by certain drugs, chemicals, exercise (Anaphylactoid reactions)
treatment for systemic anaphylaxis
epinephrine: relaxes smooth muscle of bronchi to allow person to breathe again
In systemic anaphylaxis, an antigen enters the bloodstream then tissues and activates CT mast cells throughout the body. How does mast-cell degranulation and release of inflammatory mediators affect the tissues?
- heart and vascular system: swelling, loss of BP, anaphylactic shock
- respiratory tract: contraction of smooth muscle
- GI tract: contraction of smooth muscle, cramps, vomiting, diarrhea
Why do some people get allergic reactions and others don’t?
- Susceptibility to type I reactions has a strong genetic component
- Not completely understood
- Involves genes controlling IgE antibodies, Th2 differentiation, Th2 cytokines, mast cell production and activation (stronger activation/production)