Hypersensitivity Flashcards
What are the types of hypersensitivity reactions (Gel and Coombs classification)
Type 1 Immediate hypersensitivity which is assocaited with mast cells Type 2 Antibody mediated cytotoxicity which is associated with IgG or IgM - against cell surface or ECM Type 3 Immune complex mediated - deposition of immune complexes in vascular basement membrane Type 4 is T cell mediated and associated with autoimmunity
More details on Type 1
Type 1 is mediated by mast cells and IgE
- Rapid Vascular leakage causing inflammation
- Varying severity: hays fever, food allergies, asthma, drug allergies and anaphylaxis
- Most frequent disorder of the immune system
Mast cells
- Important against parasitic infections
- Associated with allergies
- Has granules that contain histamine, leukotrines and prostagladins
- Secrete cytokine such as TNF alpha
It is important to know how they look like
Explain the immediate hypersensitivity reaction associated with Type 1
- First exposure to allergen, B cell is induced by a TH2 cell to switch to IgE antibody. This is done by antigen presentation + IL4 +IL13
- Production of IgE
- IgE binds to the mast cells. AT THIS POINT, WITH THE FIRST EXPOSURE THERE IS NO CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
- Second exposure, mast cells activate and release mediators. There are 2 types, vasoactive amines and lipid mediators cause immediate hypersensitivity and cytokines cause delayed reaction
What cytokine activates a naive mature T cell (along with TCR and CD40 ligand, CD40L is present on the naive T cell)
IL-4
Signaling pathway in mast cells that leads to hypersensitivity reactions
- ITAMs lead signaling pathways
- Granules are released
- Arachidonic acid metabolism leading to lipid mediators
- Release of cytokines
Mechanism of action of signaling in mast cells
Arachidonic Acid metabolism pathway
What are the mast cell mediator effects
- Chemotaxis
- ICAM-1 upregualtion via TNFalpha and IL1
- Platelet aggregation due to Platelet Activating Factor
- Anti-coagulation since heparin is released in the granules
- Complement activation: C3a and C5a causing inflammation and C4a is also released
- Mast cells make IL3 and IL4
- Th2 cell activation making IL4, IL5 and IL13
Clinical effects of mediators
- itching due to histamine release
- Increased vascular permeability and vasodilation
- Smooth muscle contraction if it is in the gut
- Gut peristalsis
- Tryptase in the granules and leukotrienes cause mucus secretion
Biological phenomenas that happen immediately in hypersensitivity
Histamine causes
1, Dilation of small blood vessels
- Increased vascular permeability
- Transient contraction of smooth muscles
Proteases are released which cause tissue damage
Arachidonic acid metabolites are released (2): Prostaglandins which cause vascular dilation and leukotrienes which cause smooth muscle contraction
Describe the late phase reaction in hypersensitivity
- Mast cells release TNFalpha, IL4 and 5
- Th2 cells release IL4,5 and 13
- Leukocyte recruitment involving neutrophils, eosinophils (IL5) and production of proteases causing tissue damage
What are the clinical syndrome associated with immediate hypersensitivity
- Allergic rhinitus causing inflammation and mucus production
- Food allergies
- Asthma: bronchial smooth muscle hyperactivity, inflammation and tissue injury
Anaphylaxis
- Life threatening
- Systemic reaction involving widespread mast cell degranulation
- Edema, larynx airway obstruction
- Dramatic fall in blood pressure due to vasodilation
Diagnosis of hypersensitivity
- Diagnosis of atopy involves skin test, looking for the wheel and flare reaction, intradermal test, more sensitivie and Epicutaneous test, skin prick/patch test
- Food challenge
- Immunocap which is ELISA