Hypersensitivity Flashcards
What is an antigen?
Substance that can stimulate an antibody response
What is an antibody?
Y shaped heterodimeric protein that binds to an antigen
- Immunoglobin
- BCR when bound to B cells
What is an adjuvant?
Substance enhancing immune response to an antigen
What is an allergen?
Anitgen/substance that stimulates an allergic reaction (type 1 hypersensitivity)
What is a hapten?
Molecule that can become antigenic when associated with a larger carrier protein
What is hypersensitivity?
Adverse/excessive pathological immune response
What is an immunogen?
Self-adjuvanting antigen (causes immune response on its own)
What is an immune complex?
Antibody-antigen complex
What is immunogenicity?
Ability of a substance to stimulate an immune response
What are DAMPs?
Damage Associated Molecular Patterns
- Molecules released by non-apoptotic cell death —> activates innate immune system
What are PAMPs?
Pathogen Associated Molecular Patterns
- Common molecular patterns in pathogens and microbes (not found in host cells) —> stimulates innate immune response
What are PPRs?
Pattern Recognition Receptors
- Receptors for DAMPs and PAMPs
What are the 2 causes of hypersensitivity?
- Foreign antigens —> allergies
- Self antigens —> autoimmune disease
What are the 2 consequences of hypersensitivity reactions?
- Inflammation —> pain
- Tissue damage (can be fatal)
How many classifications of hypersensitivity are there?
4
- Type I, II, III, IV
What do all hypersensitivity reactions require?
Adaptive immunological memory to antigen
Which type of immune response is involved in hypersensitivity?
Adaptive
What are the 5 antibody isotopes?
- IgG
- IgD
- IgE
- IgA
- IgM
What is the structure of IgG antibodies?
Normal
- V-L, V-H, C-L
- C-γ1, 2, 3
- Double bond
What is the structure of IgD antibodies?
Normal
- V-L, V-H, C-L
- C-δ1, 2, 3
- Single bond
What is the structure of IgE antibodies?
Normal
- V-L, V-H, C-L, C-γ2, C-γ3
- C-ε1, 2, 3, 4
- 2 bonds
What is the structure of IgA antibodies?
Dimer —> 2 connected by J chain
- V-L, V-H, C-L
- C-α1, 2, 3
- single bonds
(like 2 IgDs)
What is the structure of IgM antibodies?
Pentamer —> 1 J chain + 4 disulfide bridges
- V-L, V-H, C-L
- C-μ1, 2, 3, 4
(like 5 IgEs)
What is the function of IgG3?
Activate phagocytosis
- Complement and FcR mediated phagocytosis
What is the function of IgE?
Stimulate mast cell degranulation
What is special about IgA?
Can cross mucosal epithelium
What is clonal expansion of T cells?
Rapid proliferation when naive T cell encounters antigen
What does clonal expansion of T cells result in? (2)
- Effector T cells
- Memory T cells
What is the main function of Treg cells?
Immune tolerance
What is the main function of Th17 cells?
Extracellular bacteria and fungi immune response
What is the main function of Th2 cells?
Allergic and anti-helminth response
What is the main function of Tfh cells?
B cell help in germination centres
What is the main function of Th1 cells?
Control intracellular pathogen response
What is type 1 hypersensitivity?
Allergic reaction (immediate/anaphylactic hypersensitivity)
What type of hypersensitivity are allergic reactions?
Type I
What are 4 examples of diseases caused by type 1 hypersensitivity?
- Asthma
- Allergic rhinitis
- Urticaria
- Atopic dermatitis