Immune system V - Autoimmunity

Question 1

What is an autoimmune response?

Answer 1

An immune response caused by an internal source of antigens

Question 2

Name THREE common organ specific autoimmune disorders

Answer 2

Type 1 diabetes
Multiple sclerosis
Grave’s disease

Question 3

Name THREE common systemic autoimmune disorders

Answer 3

Rheumatoid arthritis
Lupus
Scleroderma

Question 4

What is Grave’s disease?

Answer 4

An autoimmune disorder causing hyperthyroidism

Question 5

Give the autoantigens for the following diseases
Type 1 diabetes
Multiple sclerosis
Rheumatoid arthritis 
Lupus

Answer 5

Pancreatic iselt cells
Myelin proteins
IgG antibody
Cell nucleus proteins

Question 6

What are the aims of autoimmune interventions? (3)

Answer 6

Block lymphocyte activity
Block inflammation
Treat symptoms

Question 7

Name THREE classes of immune suppressants and give examples

Answer 7

Calcineurin inhibitors - Ciclosporin
Proliferation inhibitors - Methotrexate
Monoclonal antibodies that block lymphocyte signalling - Abatacept

Question 8

What is the definition of tolerance?

Answer 8

The mechanism by which our immune response removes antigen receptors that recognise autoantigens