Immune Manipulation

Question 1

What is the difference between anti-serum and anti-venom?

Answer 1

Serum - rapidly stimulate an immune response against a known pathogen.
Venom - rapidly inactivate the toxin.

Question 2

List physiological processes inhibited by anti-histamines, and their common side effects.

Answer 2

Vasodilation, vascular permeability, smooth muscle contraction (not VSMC obviously), itching, sedation (cross blood brain barrier).

Side effects - sedation, CNS effects including fatigue and dizziness, GI disturbances.

Question 3

Why are some antihistamines ‘non-drowsy’ & some sedating?

Answer 3

H1 & H2 receptors are non drowsy as they have no effect on the CNS, whereas H3 are sedating as they effect the CNS.

Question 4

Drug combinations;

• host graft reactions
• autoimmune diseases

Answer 4

Autoimmune diseases —> glucocorticoids & cytotoxic agents.
Same for transplant rejections, just add a cyclosporin and a lymphocyte antibody.

Question 5

What is the main mechanism of action of the following; cyclosporin, azathioprine, glucocorticoids.

Answer 5

Cyclosporin (nephrotoxic) blocks synthesis of IL-2, azathioprine blocks synthesis of DNA and glucocorticoids block arachidonic acid and it’s products (thromboxane, prostaglandins, leukotrienes) —> decreases cytokine production.

Question 6

What is interferon therapy?

Answer 6

They prevent translation of viral mRNA into viral proteins = no virus.

Question 7

What are monoclonal antibodies?

Pros & cons?

Answer 7

Exogenous antibody added to immune system to bind to a specific antigen —> inactivating it. NK cells are stimulated to attack & lyse the tumour.
Pros - specific/targeted.
Cons - expensive.