Immunology Flashcards
Autoimmune pancreatitis - check for?
IgG4 levels
IgG4 disease vs PSC
Both can have cholestatic LFT’s and biliary strictures
IgG4 likely to also have pancreatic involvement
When does T cell development occur in thymus?
In utero - have naive T cells (CD4/CD8) at birth
Process that occurs in thymus cortex?
Positive selection
- Addition of T cell receptor (random through rearrangement
- Ensuring T cell can bind MHC
- Tagging with CD4 or CD8 depending on which MHC it binds
Process in thymus medulla
- Deficiency of AIRE?
Negative selection
- TEst T cells to ensure no autoreactivity and appropriate activity against foreign
- Transcription genese make self antigens
- AIRE makes insulin, cascin - deficiency = autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes
Signal 1
Naive T cell receptor binds antigen/MHC
Binding proteins and STOP signal
Signal 2 -
Costimulation
Initial activation - CD80/86 on APC binding to CD28. Then APC produces CD40 to bind to CD40ligand
Suppression - subsequent production on T cells of CTLA4, PD-1
- CTLA4 binds CD80/86 with higher affinity
CD40ligand deficiency - disease?
Hyper IgM syndrome
No CD40ligand on T cells, so ineffective class swiitching on B cells
FK506?
Tacrolimus
Signal 3
IL-2 binding to CD25 receptor causing T cell
- differentiation (subsets)
- entering cell cycle and proliferation
Role of calcineurin
Dephosphorylates NFAT, which is a transcription factor that stimulates IL-2 production
Blocks release of NFAT, so IL-2 cannot be released
MoA of mTOR inhibitors
Bind FK binding protein
Inhibit IL-2 action including CDK and cyclin production
Induce cell cycle arrest in G1/S
TH1
- target
- cytokines
Intracellular (virus), autoimmunity
TNFa, IFNy, IL-2
TH2
- target
- cytokines
Parasites + allergy
IL-4, IL-5, IL-13
TH17
- target
- cytokines
Extracellular bacteria/fungi. Recruits neutrophils
IL-17A, IL-17F
Treg
- Target
- Cytokines
Suppressess immune system
TGFb, IL-10
How are CD8 cells stimulated to proliferate?
Binding antigen on MHC1
TH1 cells producing IL-2, IL-12 and IFNy to stimulated CD8 proliferation
Mechanism of CD8 cells causing cell death
Stimulate to form perforins, targeted cell killing by inducing apoptosis
Functions of antibodies
Stimulate complement via classical pathway (IgM and IgG)
Recruit immune cells - opsonisation + phagocytosis, antibody dependant cellular cytotoxicity
Neutralise pathogens
Class of antibody determined by?
Heavy chain type
Which antibodies form B cell receptors
IgM
IgD
Chromosome for heavy chain?
Chromosome 14
Antibody diversity
- When does it happen
- How
Occurs in antigen independant in bone marrow
VDJ recombination until functional antibody formed
Allelic exclusion
After VDJ recombination, once functional Ab produced, DNA locked so B cell can ony make one Ab
Immature B cell leaving BM characterised by?
IgM and IgD
Which antibody crosses placenta?
IgG
Which antibodies activate complement
IgM
IgG
Which IgG subclass does not bind complement
IgG4
Function of IgA
Ab found in secretions - first point of defence in areas exposes to outside world
Function of IgE
Embed in mast cells (sensitising event)
Can then be stimulated by re-exposure to antigen to cause mast cel degranulation
B2 cells - antigen dependant class switching process
B cell receptor binds antigen, displays on MHC 2
Co-stimulates CD4 cells, matures an forms subsets
T cell subset produces different cytokines for class switching
- TH1 –> IgG
- TH2 –> IgE and IgA
B2 Somatic hypermutation
B cell receptor binds atigen, DNA uncocked, random mutations to produce higher affinity B cell receptor
Highest affinity receptor selected, proliferates. Becomes:
- Plasma cell
- Memory cell - skips this process next time for faster immune response
B1 cells (t cell independant)
Can bind lipopolysaccharide antigens. Lie in marginal zones of spleen.
Only produce IgM, provide limited immune response to encapsulated organisms
MAC components
C5b - C9
Common complement pathway componentns
All 3 pathways end in C3 convertase
- converts C3 to c3a and c3b
C3b can then also form C5 convertase
- converts C5 to c5a and c5b
General principles of a and b in complement
A - inflammation (anaphylotoxin
B - binds - opsonin or initiates mac
Classical pathway complement
- Recognises?
- Componenets
Immune complexes and damaged cells
C1q, C1r, C1s
C2 and C4 (C2 a and b)
Role of CRP
Activation of complmenet system
Lectin pathway
- good at recognising?
MASPS
Mannin (mannose binding lectin) - found on fungi
Lectin - found on carbohydrate residues, encapsulate bacteria
Regulator of MAC
CD55 and CD59
Disease with lack of CD55 and CD59
- Features
- Rx
PNH
Haemolysis, VTE and organ ischaemia
Eculizumab
Inhibition of factor C3b and C3 convertase
Factor I - C3b
Factor H - C3 convertase
aHUS pathophys and ttraetment
Factor H and I deficiency, dysregulated alternative complement pathway
Rx - Eculizumab
Pathophys and tests for C1 esterase deficienc
Lack of inhibition of bradykinin formation –> angio-oedema
Tests - low C4, low C1 esterase, high C1
Rx - C1 esterase concentrate, bradykinin receptor antagonist
Antibody most potent activator of complement
IgM
IgA forms
Monomer plasma
DImer external body surface