Hypersensitivity Flashcards
What type of hypersensitivity is Type I?
immediate type
What type of hypersensitivity is Type II?
modified self
What type of hypersensitivity is Type III?
immune complex
What type of hypersensitivity is Type IV?
delayed-type
What can be sources of allergens?
- inhaled materials
- injected materials
- ingested materials
- contacted materials
What is the immune reactant, antigen, and effector mechanism of Type I hypersensitivity?
Immune reactant=> IgE
Antigen=> soluble
effector mechanism=> mast cell activation
What is the immune reactant, antigen, and effector mechanism of Type II hypersensitivity?
Immune reactant=> IgG
- If antigen is cell- or matrix associated antigen then effector is complement, FcR+ cells (phagocytes, NK cells)
antigen is cell-surface receptor then effector is that Ab alters signaling
What is the immune reactant, antigen, and effector mechanism of Type III hypersensitivity?
immune reactant => IgG
antigen => soluble antigen
effector mechanism => complement, phagocytes
What is the immune reactant, antigen, and effector mechanism of Type IV hypersensitivity?
immune reactant=> T cells => Th1, Th2, CTL
- Th1 and Th2 are will recognize soluble antigens
- Th1 will provide macrophage activation as effector mechansism
- Th2 will provide eosinophil activation as effector
CTL will recognize cell-associated antigen and use cytotoxicity as its effector mechanism
What are some examples of type I hypersensitivities?
allergic rhinitis, asthma, systemic anaphylaxis
With drug allergies such as penicillin, what type of hypersensitivity would you expect?
type II => IgG
cell or matrix associated antigen so effector mechanism is complement binding, FcR+ cells (phagocytes, NK cells)
Chronic uticaria would elicit what type of hypersensitivity?
Type II => IgG
the antigen is the cell surface receptor and the effector Ab altering the signaling
What type of hypersensitivity reaction will be present due to serum sickness or arthrus reaction?
Type III => that releases complement, phagocytes
What can cause type IV hypersensitivities?
Th1=> contact dermatitis, tuberculin reaction
Th2 => chronic asthma, chronic allergic rhinitis
CTL=> graft rejection
Name the features of inhaled allergens that may promote priming of Th2 cels that drive IgE responses.
- proteins (they induce T cell responses)
- proteases
- low dose of allergen will promote Th2
- low molecular weight so can diffuse
- high solubility and stability
- contains peptides that bind MHC II that is required for T cell priming
Describe the relationship of allergans and Th4 wrt type I hypersensitivity
TH2 CD4 cells can induce class switching from IgM to IgE;
antigens that selectively stimulate TH2 cells that drive an IgE response are known as allergens
Hypersensitivity:
Hypersensitivity reactions:
Hypersensitivity disease:
since humans inhale many proteins that do not induce allergic responses, there must be something unusual about allergens that leads to stimulation of IgE production. What are the features that may cause Th2 cells to class switch to IgE to get a response?
- most allergens are small proteins
- proteases
- most are highly soluble and low molecular weight
- most are carried on desiccated particles so must be stable (pollen, mite feces)
- upon contact with mucosa of airways, soluble antigens elute from the delivery particles and diffuse into the mucosa
- low dose of allergen will promote Th2
- contains peptides that bind MHC II that is required for T cell priming
What do parasites secrete that allows them to move around in the host but also calls in a Th2 response?
many parasites produce and secrete proteolytic enzymes that break down connective tissues
How do Th2 cells stimulate class switching to IgE?
- produces and secretes IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13
- upregulates CD40L and CD23 (low affinity receptor for IgE); these costimulatory molecules can bind to their counter receptors (CD40 and CR2) on the presenting B cell
- combination provides B cell stimulation
Type I hypersensitivity reactions are initiated primarily by mast cells (eosinophils and basophils are also involved). What is expressed on all 3 of these cells types?
all 3 of these cell types express the high affinity IgE receptor (Fc RI)
What causes the cells associated with type I hypersensitivity to carry out their effector function?
mast cells (also eosinophils, basophils) degranulate when IgE is cross-linked
When do eosinophils and basophils join in the type I hypersensitivity reactions?
the mediators released by mast cells initiate inflammation, and recruit eosinophils and basophils to the site of inflammation; eosinophils and basophils contribute to the inflammatory response by releasing the contents of their granules
What is significant about atopic individuals and hypersensitivity reactions?
there is a genetic basis with 40% whites producing more responses to IgE
atopic individuals have higher levels of soluble IgE and more circulating eosinophils than non-atopic individuals
elevated IL-4 levels are seen in atopic individuals. What chromosome could be affected? why is this chromosome important?
chromosome 5
chromosome 5 encodes a cluster of genes that encode IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-13, and GM-CSF
(all of these are involved in isotype switching, eosinophil survival, mast cell proliferation)
HLA class II polymorphism also affects the IgE response to certain allergens. How?
HLA class II:peptide combination predisposes to stimulation of a TH2 response
An individual’s sensitivity to a particular allergen can be easily tested. How?
1st step of response: injection of an allergen into the skin of a sensitive individual produces a characteristic inflammatory reaction known as a wheal and flare at the injection site
2nd step of response: 6-8 hours post injection, a second reaction (the late phase reaction)
occurs at the site of injection
How does the 1st response of a allergen sensitivity test work?
Mast cell degranulation causes the wheal and flare reaction is called an immediate reaction because it appears within a few minutes;
released histamine and other mediators cause increased permeability of local blood vessels (fluid enters tissue causing swelling or edema);
the swelling produces the wheal;
increased blood flow in the area causes redness (flare)
Describe the 2nd response to when a person is tested for sensitivity to an allergan
consists of more widespread swelling and is mediated by leukotrienes, chemokines, and cytokines produced by mast cells following IgE-mediated activation
The effects of IgE-mediated allergic reactions vary with the site of mast cell activation. Why is this true?
re-exposed to an allergen, the resulting reaction depends on the tissues that come in contact with the allergen;
only the mast cells that reside at the site of allergen contact will be induced to degranulate (via IgE crosslinking by allergen)
What is systemic anaphylaxis?
wide-spread activation of mast cell degranulation causing both an increase in vascular permeability and a widespread constriction of smooth muscle
What causes systemic anaphylaxis? What are the results?
allergens in the blood
- fluid leaving the blood causes dramatic reduction of blood pressure (anaphylactic shock)
- connective tissues swell due to influx of fluid
- damage can be sustained by many organ systems, impairing their function
- constriction of airways and swelling of the epiglottis can result in asphyxiation leading to death