Immune Complex Diseases Flashcards
Define hypersensitivity reaction.
- immune system has an exaggerated response to an antigen it has already encountered before
Define hypersensitivity Type 1.
- immediate
- seen in allergies and asthma
- mediated by IgE and Th2 cells
- injury due to mast cells and eosinophils releasing inflammatory cytokines => swelling, vasoactivity, anaphylaxis
Define hypersensitivity Type 2.
- antibody-mediated
- seen in antibodies specific to cell surfaces and ECM proteins
- antibody binds to protein => opsonization => phagocytosis => tissue injury
- antibody activates complement => innate immunity activation
- can interrupt signaling
- ex: immune thrombocytopenia
Define hypersensitivity Type 3.
- immune complex mediated
- caused by circulating antigen:antibody complexes (IgM or IgG)
- several antibodies bind to the antigen => deposition of large immune complexes
- ex: lupus erythematosus
Define hypersensitivity Type 4.
- AKA delayed hypersensitivity
- T cell mediated
- mediated by CD4 (Th1 and Th17) and CD8 CTLs
- mediated by cytokines and direct killing
- involves FcR and complement
- ex: PPD test, poison ivy
Define lupus erythematosus.
- most likely due to an abnormal activation of TLRs
- faulty T cell regulation
- leads to excess immune complex production
Define sarcoidosis.
- involves CD8 and Th17
What are some reasons you might get hypersensitivity?
- allergen
- autoimmunity
- overwhelming infection
- repeated exposure to antigen leads to increased intensity of adaptive response
What is IC formation based on?
intensity of antigen stimulation
- type of antigen
- length of host exposure
- site of exposure
What is rate of IC formation based on?
- valency
- affinity
- avidity
- rate of antibody formation (primary vs secondary response)
What is the vigor of an immune response based on?
- antigenic properties
- gender
- age
- MHC
Define valency. How does it affect IC formation?
valency - # of identical epitopes on an antigen
- the more epitopes, the more antibodies will bind, the more immunogenic => increased IC formation
Define avidity. How does it affect IC formation?
avidity - strength of overall attachment of antibody to antigen
- affected by valency and affinity
- increased avidity = increased IC formation
Define affinity. How does it affect IC formation?
affinity - strength of antigen-binding site on the antibody and its attachment to the epitope
- improves with time (somatic hypermutation)
- increased affinity = increased IC formation
How are immune complexes formed?
soluble Ig binds to soluble, circulating antigen