Immuno 9 - Immune modulating therapies 1+ Flashcards
How can immune modulating therapies be categorised + examples of each?
Boosting the immune response:
- Vaccines
- Replacement (HSCT, Ig, T-cells)
- Immune checkpoint blockers
- Cytokine therapy
Suppressing the immune response:
- Non-specific immunosupression (steroids)
- Antiproliferative agents
- Specific component targets (cell surface antigens + cytokines)
- Plasmapheresis
How do vaccines provide immunity generally?
Vaccines are a form of acquired, active immunity.
They utilise the adaptive immune response to prime the immune system against a specific pathogen without causing illness
What should vaccnes induce?
Vaccines should induce production of:
- Memory T cells
- Memory B cells
- Preformed antibodies
- > in order to provide protective immunity against a specific pathogen
eg. T-cell v TB, Ab v Influenza
Describe the general immune response to exposure to foreign antigen?
- When the immune system is first exposed to an antigen, it takes time to respond.
- The innate immune system is first on the scene. In turn it stimulates the adaptive immune system to respond.
- In the primary response, IgM is the predominant antibody. Its production is T cell dependent and it has low affinity and a short half life.
- The adaptive immune system has an ‘immunological memory’.
- When the immune system is exposed to the same antigen a second time, it responds rapidly – within hours.
- Large titres of IgG, a high affinity Ab, are made. This provides protection from re-infection.
Describe the T-cell response to a vaccine
- APCs presenting Ag (via MHC Class I or II) migrate to lymph nodes
- APCs activate naïve T cells with cognate receptor via MHC binding
- MHC Class I binds to CD 8+ve (cytotoxic) T cells
- MHC Class II binds to CD4+ve (helper) T cells - Activated T cells undergo clonal expansion under influence of cytokines (e.g. IL-2)
- Mature T cells are produced:
- Helper and cytotoxic T cells die by apoptosis
- Memory T cells survive
Describe the B-cell response to a vaccine
. Naïve B cells endocytose Ag, presenting it on MHC Class II to CD4+ve (helper) T cells
- MHC Class II - T cell receptor binding stimulates T cell surface expression of CD40L
- CD40L (on T cells) - CD40 (on B cells) binding activates B cells
- Activated B cells form germinal centres:
- Ig class switching
- Somatic hypermutation
- Proliferation - Mature B cells are produced:
- Plasma cells produce IgG, IgA and IgE
- Memory B cells survive
What are the differences in longevity between T-cell and B-cell memory?
T-cell:
- Memory is retained long-term post infection
- Cytokines induce continual low-level proliferation
B-cell:
- Memory is retained long-term post infection -> Memory cells able to differentiate into plasma cells
What are the differences in site of T-cell and B-cell memory?
T-cell:
Expression of chemotaxis/adhesion related cell surface proteins allows access to non-lymphoid tissues
- Central: lymphoid tissue (spleen , lymph nodes)
- Effector: liver, lungs and gut
B-cell:
- Lymphoid tissue (spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils, Peyer’s patches)
- Bone marrow
- Gut, circulation
What are the differences in response to ag re-exposure of T-cell and B-cell memory?
T-cell:
- Rapid, robust response
- Memory cells activate more quickly than naïve cells
B-cell:
- Rapid, robust response
- Improved Ab response: higher titres, higher IgG component, higher affinity
What do the most effective vaccines do?
Induce both T and B cell memory
What are the different types of vaccines available?
Live attenuated vaccines
Inactivated vaccines
Conjugate vaccines
3rd gen vaccines
Dendritic cell vaccines
What is the mechanism of live attenuated vaccine + examples?
Live organism modified to be less virulent induces an immune response
Childhood: MMR (IMPORTANT), Fluenz Tetra
Oral: Typhoid, Polio - Sabin (IMPORTANT) (historical)
Seasonal: Influenza (IMPORTANT)
Other: Yellow Fever, Varicella (IMPORTANT)
What are the advantages and disadvantages of live attenuated vaccines?
Advantages:
- LIFELONG immunity (no boosters)
- Activates ALL PHASES of immune response
- Protection against CROSS-REACTIVE strains
Disadvantages:
- REVERSION to virulence
- SPREAD to contacts (immunodeficient)
- REFRIGERATOR storage required
What vaccines should be CI in HIV patients?
BCG
Yellow Fever
Nb: MMR is not contraindicated
What are the 3 different mechanisms of inactivated vaccines?
Inactivated: microorganism is destroyed (heat, chemicals, radiation or antibiotics)
Toxoid: inactivated toxin components
Subunit: protein components lacking viral genetic material (unable to replicate)
What are examples of each type of inactivated vaccine?
Inactivated: Pertussis (MAIN), influenza, Hep A, Polio - Salk (MAIN), rabies, cholera (MAIN)
Toxoid: Tetanus, diphtheria
Subunit: Hepatitis B, HPV, influenza (NA + HG)
What are the advantages and disadvantages of inactivated vaccines?
Advantages:
- No reversion risk
- Safe in immunodeficient patients
- Easy storage
- Low cost
Disadvantages:
- Limited T cell response (decreased level and longevity of protection)
- Multiple dose requirements (boosters)
- Immunogenicity may require enhancement (conjugation or adjuvants)
What are the differences between the types of Polio vaccines?
Polio vaccines = Sabin and Salk
Sabin = live attenuated, PO
(Outbreaks of vaccine-induced polio)
Salk = : inactivated (k for killed), IM
What is the mechanism + examples of conjugate vaccines?
Poorly immunogenic polysaccharide (Ag) paired with immunogenic protein carrier (adjuvant):
- Polysaccharide -> transient T cell-independent B cell response
- Protein carrier (e.g. tetanus toxoid) -> T cell response
Examples:
Tetanus toxoid is paired with Ag from polysaccharide encapsulated organisms (NHS):
- Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcal)
- Haemophilus influenzae B
- Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus)
What are the advantages / disadvantages of conjugate vaccines
Advantages:
Allows vaccination against encapsulated organisms
Disadvantages:
Boosters required
What are the two mechanisms of 3rd gen vaccines and some examples of each?
mRNA/DNA: uses
DNA/mRNA encoding Ag
Viral vector: modified virus (vector) delivers genetic code for Ag
Examples:
- mRNA/DNA: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna
- Viral vector: Ebola, Oxford-Astrazeneca, Janssen, Johnson-Johnson, Sputnik, CanSino