Immune modulation Flashcards
how do corticosteroids work
inhibit phospholipase A2
- Blocks arachidonic acid and prostaglandin formation and so reduces inflammation
what is the effect of steroids on phagocutes
decreases expression of adhesion molecules on endothelium leading to a transient increase in neutrophil counts as they cant enter the issue - decreased phagocytosis, decreased proteolytic enzymes
what is the action of steroids on lymphocytes
lymphopenia - sequestration of lymphocytes in lymphoid tissue mainly affecting CD4 >cd8> b cells promotes apoptosis
what are the side effects of steroids
diabetes, central obesity, moon face, lipid abnormalities, osteoporosis, hirsuitism, adrenal suppresion , cataracts, peptic ulcers, pancreatitis, avascular necrosis, infection
how do antiproliferative immunosuppresants/cytotoxic agents work
kill faster dividing cells first
side effects of cyclophasphamide
Toxic to proliferating cells Bone marrow depression Hair loss Sterility (male>>female) Haemorrhagic cystitis Toxic metabolite acrolein excreted via urine Malignancy Bladder cancer Haematological malignancies Non-melanoma skin cancer Infection Pneumocystis jiroveci
side effects of azathioprine
Side effects
Bone marrow suppression
Cells with rapid turnover (leucocytes and platelets) are particularly sensitive
1:300 individuals are extremely susceptible to bone marrow suppression
Thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) polymorphisms
Unable to metabolise azathioprine
Check TPMT activity or gene variants before treatment if possible; always check full blood count after starting therapy
Hepatotoxicity
Idiosyncratic and uncommon
Infection
Serious infection less common than with cyclophosphamide
side effects of mycophenolate mofetil
effects
Bone marrow suppression Infection
Cells with rapid turnover (leucocytes and platelets) are
particularly sensitive
Infection
Particular risk of herpes virus reactivation
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (JC virus
what is the aim of plasmapheresis
removal of pathogenic antibody
Patient’s blood passed through cell separator
Own cellular constituents reinfused
Plasma treated to remove immunoglobulins and then reinfused (or replaced with albumin in ‘plasma exchange’)
what are the indications for plasmaphoresis
Severe antibody-mediated disease
Goodpasture syndrome
Anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies
Severe acute myasthenia gravis
Anti-acetyl choline receptor antibodies
Antibody mediated transplant rejection/ABO incompatible
Antibodies directed at donor HLA/AB molecules
describe how IL2 is expressed
t cell receptor engagement - increased cytoplasmic calcium, binds to calmodulin, activates calcineurin, activates NFATc, upregulates IL2
when are calcineurin inhibitors used
Inhibit T cell proliferation/function
Used in:
Transplantation
SLE
Psoriatic arthritis
how do ciclosporin and tacrolimus work
inactivates calcineurin
how do jak inhibitors work and what are they effective in treating
Inhibit JAK-STAT signalling (associated with cytokine receptors)
Influences gene transcription
Inhibits production of inflammatory molecules
Effective in Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis
how do PDE4 inhibitors work
modulates cytokine production effective in psoriasis
what is rituximab
anticd20 (b cells) antibody
basiliximab
anti cd25 (t cells), blocks IL2 indicued signallinh
anti thymocyte globulin indications
allograft rejection, needs daily IV infusions, modulates t cell activity