Immunology Flashcards
Corticosteroids MoA
Upregulate synthesis of anti-inflammatory regulators, inhibits phospholipase A1 and represses cytokine synthesis
Prednisolone MoA
For RA, psoriasis and other skin conditions.
Inhibits IL-1 and TNF-alpha production
Cushing’s syndrome
From overuse of corticosteroids.
Increased susceptibility to hyperglycaemia, growth suppression, muscle wasting, osteoporosis, hypertension, infection risk.
Use of cyclosporine and tacrolimus
Cyclosporine: acute prophylaxis rejection, RA, skin conditions.
Tacrolimus: prophylaxis for transplant rejection
Tacrolimus/Cyclosporine MoA
Enter T cells and bind to a protein to inhibit calcineurin - results in IL-2 not being able to be synthesised
Tacrolimus/Cyclosporine AE
Nephrotoxicity, mucoid deposits in arterioles and focal fibrosis
Sirolimus MoA
Inhibits IL-2 signal transduction and thus, T-lymphocyte proliferation by IL-2
Sirolimus use
Prophylaxis for transplant rejection and coronary stents
Sirolimus AE
Thrombocytopenia, hyperlipidaemia, rash, delays wound healing
Less nephrotoxic than calcineurin inhibitors
Cyclophosphamide MoA
Inhibits ALL cellular proliferation
Mycophenolate MoA
Directly inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase used in the synthesis of purines - selectively suppresses T cells
Mycophenolate AE
Leukopenia, CMV infection, risk of lymphoma and cancer, diarrhoea
Leflunomide MoA
Inhibits pyrimidine synthesis
Used in RA, GN, SLE, kidney transplants
Immunosuppressant antibodies MoA
Cytokine receptor antagonist: block the receptor by binding to it
Soluble receptor: binds released cytokines and not membrane bound ones
Immunosuppressant antibody types
Basiliximab, etanercept, anakinra, rituximab
Thalidomide MoA
Enhances T cell production of cytokines
Thalidomide AE
Multiple myeloma, thrombosis, peripheral neuropathy
Contraindicated in pregnancy
Interferons (alpha, beta, gamma) MoA
Bind to surface receptors to inhibit viral penetrance, translation, transcription and protein processing
Enhances macrophage activity and T cell proliferation
Interferons AE
Flu-like symptoms, hypotension, depression
Interleukins (IL-2) MoA
Causes immune cell proliferation through release of multiple cytokines - cytotoxic to cancer cells
Interleukins AE
Hypotension, capillary leak syndrome, cardiac failure
Uses for immunostimulants
Hepatitis B/C, leukaemia, Kaposi sarcoma, melanoma, MS
