Hypersensitivity Flashcards
What is a hypersensitivity reaction?
An overreaction to harmless antigen; usually environmental
What is an allergen?
An antigen that causes overreactions
What is atopy?
The genetic tendency to develop allergic diseases, typically associated with heightened immune responses to common allergens, especially inhaled allergens and food allergens.
How can a chemical, like a drug, be an allergen?
Chemicals can penetrate outer layers of skin and bind covalently and non-specifically to proteins and modify self-proteins
What is the typical T-cell response type generated by hypersensitivity?
Th2
What is Type I hypersensitivity?
IgE mediated hypersensitivity
What is Type II hypersensitivity?
IgG/IgM mediated hypersensitivity
What is Type III hypersensitivity?
Immune complex mediated
What is Type IV hypersensitivity?
Cell mediated hypersensitivity; delayed type hypersensitivity
What type of hypersensitivity is not antibody mediated?
Type IV
What is the general goal of IgE?
To rid the body of large, multicellular organisms (parasites, helminths)
What is the prerequisite for Type I hypersensitivity response?
IgE must be produced upone first exposure to antigen
How many times must a person be exposed to an antigen before a hypersensitivity reactions occurs?
Hypersensitivity rxns occur after second exposure to the antigen
What triggers eosinophilic degranulation in a type I hypersensitivity reaction?
Cross-linking between FceR on eosinophils and IgE antibody on a parasite following a secondary exposure the parasite/antigen triggers degranulation
Which cytokines are used in promotion of a anti-parastic Th2 response?
IL-4, IL-5
What is the hygine hypothesis?
States that children are exposed to fewer, less heavy infections that their parents leading to an underdeveloped, un-educated, less experienced immune system, leading to a greater incidence of allergy
Where is IgE typically most concentrated?
In the tissues
True or False: IgE can bind to FceRI only with antigen bound
False- must be no bound antigen
On what cells are FceRI constiuitively expressed?
Mast cells and basophils and activated eosinophils
What is the relative affinity of IgE for FceRI?
Very high, almost irreversible affinity
Once the primary IgE response subsides, all IgE molecules that did not see antigen bind to FceRI on mostly what cell? WHy this cell?
Mostly to mast cells because they live longer than basophils
What makes up the antigen receptor on mast cells?
FceRI + IgE
True or False: A mast cell/ basophil can have antigen receptors of more than one specificity
True
How does secondary antigen exposure induce degranulation in a type I hypersensitivity response
IgE not complexed with the first encounter of the pathogen bind to FceRI receptors on mast cells, and with secondary exposure the antigen cross-links between the IgE-FceRI and signals degranulation
How does Omalizumab work?
Humanized MOAb specific for the sit on IgE that binds to FceRI, which inhibits binding of IgE to mast cells, prevents cross linking and stops degranulation
What are the two types of mast cells?
Mucosal and connective tissue mast cells
What are the beneficial functions of the mast cells?
Maintain tissue integrity, alert the immune system, facilitate repair of wounds
What are the preformed mediators released by mast cells?
Histamine, enzymes/ metalloproteases, TNF-alpha
What are secondary mediators released by mast cells?
Chemokines, cytokines, eicosinoids (leukotrienes and prostaglandins)
What are the effects elicited by histamine? Through what receptor?
Induces vessel permeability and inflammation, smooth muscle contraction, and secretion of mucus; H1 receptor
True or false: Eosinophils are less toxic than mast cells?
False
What eosinophilically released compound stimulates histamine release?
Major Basic Protein
What cytokine induces the activation/proliferation of eosinophils? What chemokine controls eosinophilic migration?
IL-5; CCL11
How do basophils stimulate a Th2 response?
Secretion of IL-4 and IL-13