Hypersensitivity Flashcards
What is hypersensitivity?
An immunologically driven host tissue-damaging/tissue-irritating process
What are the 4 types of hypersensitivity?
1) Immediate hypersensitivity
2) Antibody-mediated
3) Immune complex mediated
4) Cell mediated (delayed)
Describe immediate hypersensitivity (type 1)
- Non-microbial environmental antigens that are innocuous
- Response within minutes
- Mediated by IgE mast cells and their mediators
Describe antibody-mediated hypersensitivity (type 2)
- IgM, IgG antibodies against cell surface/ECM
- Complement mediated
- The binding of antibody to antigen on cells/tissues activates complement and recruits immune cells
Describe immune complex mediated (type 3) hypersensitivity
- Soluble immune complexes antigen-IgM or antigen-IgG
- Complement mediated
- Antibodies are important but it is the actual accumulation of antibody-antigen complex that drives illness
Describe cell mediated (delayed) hypersensitivity (type 4)
- CD4 and CD8 cells (antibody independent)
- Cell killing and cytokine-mediated inflammation
- 24-48h after antigen challenge → takes longer to develop, delayed inflammation
What are the hallmarks of type 1 hypersensitivity?
IgE production and activation of Th2 cells
Describe the action of mast cells
1) Cross-linking of 2 adjacent IgE molecules triggers mast cell activation and degranulation
2) This releases cytokine cell mediators which create atopy and hypersensitivity
What cells other than mast cells also release granules?
Eosinophils
What are the two types of storage granules?
Histamine and tryptase
What is the action of histamine?
- Increased vascular permeability → to collect more components of the immune system
- Smooth muscle contraction
What is the action of tryptase?
- Tissue remodelling
- Increased mucus secretion
- Fibrinogen alpha chain
- C3a + C5a
What substances are produced de novo during degranulation of mast cells and what are their action?
Prostaglandins, leukotrienes and cytokines →
- Increased vascular permeability
- Smooth muscle contraction
- Vasodilation (brain + flushing - PGD2)
- Systemic anaphylaxis
- Hypotension (bradykinin)
- Bronchospasm (leukotrienes)
- Swelling (b+l)
Why is systemic anaphylaxis lethal if not treated in minutes?
Because it is basically a massive vascular leak in whole body
What is an allergen?
An antigen that drives type 1 hypersensitivity bc it creates an allergic response
What are the two characteristics of the main allergens?
1) Individuals are repeatedly exposed to them
2) They do not induce macrophage/dendritic cell typical responses driving Th1/Th2 like microbes do → they need to induce Th2
What are the 4 types of main allergens?
1) Inhaled e.g. pollen, spores, dander, dust mite
2) Ingested e.g. peanut, egg, fruits, sesame
3) Venoms e.g bee, wasp strings and bites (Hymenoptera)
4) Drugs e.g. antibiotics, chemotherapeutics
What are inhaled antigens usually associated with?
Asthma hypersensitivity
What are examples of indoor inhaled allergens?
Dust mites Animal dander (skin flakes) e.g. cats, dogs
What are examples of outdoor inhaled allergens?
Fungi - mould spores e.g. penicillin
Pollen e.g. grass or tree