Immuno 2nd Year Flashcards
What is a type 1 hypersensitivity?
Allergic reaction
What are the immediate reactions with a type 1 hypersensitivity?
Local reactions: Ingested - GI symptoms, Inhaled - respiratory symptoms
Systemic reaction: agioedema, hypotension, tachycardia, broncho-constriction, haematochezia
What cells are involved in the type 1 hypersensitivity?
Mast cells - (IgE related)
What is the medical term for year round exposure to allergens?
Perennial exposure
What 3 interleukins are responsible for Type 1 hypersensitivity in the TH2 (T helper cells) response?
IL-4, IL-5, IL-13
What is the hygiene hypothesis and what does it mean?
Western lifestyle associated with a reduced infectious burden - hygiene hypothesis. Children exposed to animals, pets and microbes in the early postnatal period appeared to be protected against certain allergic diseases
Why are mucosal membranes and blood vessels affected in a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction?
The location of mast cells is in these areas and they have IgE on their surface so allergic reactions will cause local effects in these areas
What are the 4 mast cell mediators and what do they each do?
Tryptase - remodel connective tissue matrix but measured in the anaphylactic response
Histamine - toxic to parasites, increase vascular permeability, cause smooth muscle contraction
Leukotrienes C4, D4, E4 - cause smooth muscle contraction, increase vascular permeability, stimulate mucus secretion
Platelet-activating factor - attracts leukocytes, amplified production of lipid mediators, activates neutrophils, eosinophils and platelets.
What is happens on the 1st and subsequent exposures of an allergen causing an allergic response
Allergen 1st exposure - TH2 response
IgE - mediated triggering of mast cell - antigen specific IgE
No immediate response - sensitisation reaction here
Allergen 2nd exposure - IgE cross-linking = degranulation of mast cells, systemic exposure - systemic response
Allergic reaction leading to facial manifestations are called?
Angioedema
What are the systemic manifestations of allergic reaction and what symptoms are characterised by them?
Systemic: Hypotension/ cardiovascular collapse/ generalised urticaria - increased vascular permeability,
Angiodema - generalised vasodilation,
Breathing problems - bronchial constriction
How would you treat the abnormal adaptive immune response against the allergen (TH2 response, IgE, mast cell activation)?
TH2 response = allergen desensitisation (oral immunotherapy)
IgE = anti-IgE monoclonal antibody - good for chronic asthmatics and chronic urticaria
Mast cell activation = antihistamines, leukotriene receptor antagonists, corticosteroids
Define hypersensitivity
The antigen specific immune responses that are either inappropriate or excessive and result in harm to the host
Change in function or damage to the function of the host
What are the types of hypersensitivities and the causes of the response?
Type 1 - allergy
Type 2 - antibody mediated
Type 3 - immune complexes mediated
Type 4 - cell mediated (delayed) - environmental infectious agents and self antigens
What immunoglobulins are responsible for the 4 hypersensitivities?
Type 1 - IgE
Type 2 and 3 - IgG or IgM
Type 4 - IgM
Type 2 is organ specific disease - membrane bound
Type 3 IgG is soluble but when they complex they can get caught up in particular parts of the body and causes problems there
What are the 2 phases of hypersensitivity reactions?
Sensitisation phase - first encounter with antigen
Activation of APCs and memory effector cells.
Effector phase - pathologic reaction upon re-exposure to the same antigen and activation of the memory cells of the adaptive immunity
What happens in type 2 hypersensitivity within the following parameters:
Development time, Antibody involvement, Antigen location, Outcomes.
Development time: 5-12hours Antibody: IgG or IgM Antigens: cell bound antigens Exogenous: blood group antigens, rhesus D antigens Endogenous: self antigen
Outcomes:
Tissue/ cell damage, physiological change
What antigen can cause haemolytic disease of the newborn?
Rhesus D
What antigens cause transfusion reactions?
ABO blood group system
What 2 mechanisms drive type 2 hypersensitivity?
Complement activation and antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity
Name the 3 antibody-dependent cell cytotoxic diseases of type 2 hypersensitivity
1- Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
2- Immune thrombocytopenia Purpura
3- Goodpasture’s syndrome
What immunoglobulin is responsible for the RBC lysis in incompatible blood transfusions?
IgM
Explain what happens in Rhesus D positive pregnant mothers and what is the treatment?
In Rhesus D negative pregnancy the problems are not immediate but in further pregnancies miscarriage occurs if the foetus also has rhesus positive RBC due to the antigen on the foetuses RBC.
A foetuses RBC can sometimes leak out of the foetal circulation and enter the maternal circulation. This results in the mother in the first ever rhesus positive pregnancy producing anti-rhesus antibodies due to the sensitisation process. If the woman becomes pregnant again with another rhesus positive foetus then her anti-Rh antibodies will cross the placenta and damage foetal RBC causing haemolytic disease of the newborn
What 2 diseases result from receptor blockade and stimulation that are part of type 2 hypersensitivity?
Graves disease - receptor stimulation - antibodies against the TSH receptor causing hyperthyroidism
Myasthenia gravis - receptor blockade - antibody against the ACh receptor causing reduced signal transmission
How could type 2 hypersensitivity be treated?
Plasmaphoresis - removal of circulating antibodies and inflammatory mediators
Anti-inflammatory drugs - complement activation
Splenectomy - reduced opsonisation and phagocytosis
IVIG - IgG degradation
Antithyriod surgery or drugs to block the TSH receptor
Replacement therapy - pyridostigmine - AChE blocker to increase amount of ACh in synaptic cleft
What is a type 3 hypersensitivity?
Complex mediated IgG soluble therefore when complexes are made this causes damage in the organ they end up in
How quickly can T3 hypersensitivity reactions occur?
3-8 hours
What immunoglobulins are responsible for T3 hypersensitivity?
IgG or IgM and antigens
What are the causes (antigens) for T3 hypersensitivity?
Soluble antigens - foreign (infection) or endogenous (self antigen)
What 3 factors affect T3 hypersensitivity immune complex pathogenesis and why?
Complex size - small and large are not a problem to deal with but intermediate sized ones can’t be cleared effectively
Host response - low affinity antibody and complement deficiency
Local tissue factors - haemodynamic factors and physicochemical factors
What are 3 diseases that are type 3 hypersensitivity reactions?
Rheumatoid arthritis - antigen is the Fc portion of IgG with articular and extraarticular features. Intertwined with episodes of inflammation and remission
Glomerulonephritis (infectious) - bacterial endocarditis or hepatitis B infection - immune complexes have a sustained production of antibodies leading to glomerulonephritis
SLE - antigen is the double stranded DNA in cells. Most prevalent immune complexes disease. Mainly women affected 9:1
What is a type 4 hypersensitivity?
Cell mediated or delayed - environmental infectious agents and self antigens. Involves lymphocytes and macrophages
How long does it take for type 4 hypersensitivity to react?
24-72 hours - delayed