Immunity and Oral Diseases Flashcards
Name as many factors as you can that are associated with oral disease
- Infectious Agents
- Genetics
- Hormones
- Metabolism
- Age
- Stress
- Smoking
Name the physical and chemical barriers present in oral immunity
- Mucus coating layer - viscous properties due to mucin content
- Epithelial physical barrier
- Saliva
- GCF - gingival curricular fluid
How does the mucus coating layer in the oral cavity help prevent infection
It has viscous properties due to its mucin content and immobilises pathogens
How does the epithelial physical barrier provide protection against infection
- it is a physical barrier
- Expresses Calprotectin and Beta-defensins that have anti-microbial properties
- Expresses IL-18 which has chemotaxis properties for immune cells
- Express TLRs that can recognise PAMPs
What does saliva contain that allow it to provide protection from infection
- sIgA, IgM
- Cystatins, lysozymes and calprotectins that have antimicrobial properties
- Histatins that has anti-fungal properties
- Mucins and cystatins - anti-viral
How does the GCF aid infection protection
Contains antibodies and neutrophils
What do B cells do to aid infection prevention in the oral cavity
Produces IL-10
Can become cells that produce antibodies
What happens when symbiotic micro-organisms have cooperative interactions of keystone pathogens
- Can induce the rapid proliferation of pathogenic microbes
- If you got immune problems then the microbes probs won’t get removed
- ## If the microbes aren’t removed then the T cells inflammatory responses don’t stop and you can develop chronic inflammation problems
How do pro-inflammatory cells activate osteoclastic activity and what effects can this have
Cells like B, Th17 and Th1 activate RANKL pathways that activate that activate stem cells to differentiate into osteoclasts that can destroy bonds in severe cases of periodontitis
How do microbes in the dental surfaces inhibit osteoblast production
Induce an increased expression of molecules like DKK1 and sclerostin
These inhibit the WNT pathway and so the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts is inhibited as well
How does P.Gingivalis promote pro-inflammatory pathogenic states in the gingival epithelium
- It causes MYD88 degradation
- This causes decreased levels of AXL and GAS6 proteins that are negative regulators of Interferon alpha and beta
- Interferon levels increase and this leads to immunological dysfunction and dysbiosis
How do the effects of MYD88 degradation manifest in the lymphoid tissues as well
- Low levels of AXL proteins induces the activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells that induce high level of interferon alpha
- This affects the interactions between Dendritic cells and CD4+ T cells
- Leads to increased Interferon gamma production
- This contributes to constitute T cell priming
What are some risk factors for oral cancers
- Alcohol abuse
- Exposure of lips to sunlight
- Infection with HPV
- Weak immune system
- Smoking*** -
How does cigarette smoke affect epithelial cells
- Many compounds can induce inflammation
- Many compounds cause DNA damage that can cause cellular senescence
- Many compounds can lead to autophagy where they try to destroy affected cell components - can lead to cell death/inflamamtion
- Compounds may affect genes p53 and KRAS that can lead to uncontrolled proliferation
What roles does the immune system play in tumour development
Soon after cancerous epithelial cells form antigen presenting cells recognise these cells and cause pro-inflammatory T cells production
What is the theorised autoimmune mechanism for Sjogren’s syndrome
Viruses infect epithelial and dendritic cells and the epithelial cells release antigens called Anti-Ro/Laand these can induce the production of antibodies.
Dendritic cells when activated can induce expression of interferon alpha
What is Oral Lichen Planus and what does it appear as
Chronic Inflammatory condition that affects mucosal membranes in the mouth
Appears as white lesions in lacy patches or red swollen tissues or open sores, can cause burning, pain or other discomfort
What is Oral Lichen Planus characterised by
Immune damage to basal keratinocytes in the oral mucosa that are recognised as being antigenic ally foreign or altered
What is Pemphigus vulgarisms and how does it commonly present
Chronic autoimmune inflammatory skin disease that commonly present with oral blisters (in the buccal and palatine mucosa especially) due to acantholysis
Briefly describe how the oral blisters in pemphigus vulgarisms form
Antibodies are formed against desmosomes and this causes the layers of skin to separate and form blisters
