Immunology Flashcards
Principles of the immune system
detect, respond and eliminate pathogens
maintain tolerance to self, environmental antigens and in pregnancy paternal antigens
induce memory (more rapid and greater response) to previously encountered infection/vaccines
restore organ/tissue homeostasis (resolution of inflammation, repair injury) after elimination of pathogen
overview of immune response to infection
cell death or extensive damage –> molecular PAMP or host DAMP –> type 1 and 3 immune responses
cell stress or tissue perturbation –> host DAMP (more than microbial PAMP) –> type 2 immune response
Innate immunity
pathogens: viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, ticks
sensors: epithelial cells, tissue macrophages, dendritic cells, mast cells, sensory neurons, complement
actions: enhance barrier function, secrete cytokines, chemokines and interferons, activate complement, recruit circulating neutrophils and monocytes, induce adaptive immune responses in secondary LT, internal (phagosome) and external pathogen (cell degradation) killing
type 1 immune response to intracellular pathogens
CD4 T cells activated and induce activation of CD8 T cells and macrophages (via IFN-gamma)
B cells give rise to IgG and IgA responses via germinal cells (IgG>IgA)
type 3 immune responses to extracellular bacteria and fungi
CD4 Th1 cell secretes IL-17 to activate neutrophils and IL-22 to promote epithelial cell integrity and secretion of antimicrobial proteins by epithelial cells
B cells induce IgA and IgG immune response via germinal cells (IgA>IgG)
type 2 immune response to extracellular parasites
CD4 Th2 cells secreta IL-4 IL-5 IL-13 to activate mast cells, basophils and eosinophils
B cells –> germinal cells –> IgE
innate-like B cell
spontaneous IgM production
long-lived plasma cells vs memory
memory = secondary back-up with lower affinity (can recognise other strains of same organism)
Immunoglobulins
structure: 2 heavy and light chains
Fab: antigen recognition, positive selection/glycosylation in LN GC, neutralisation of toxins/virulence factor
Fc subunit: effector function, isotype class switching, Ig subclasses, modification of hinge region, glycosylation, affinity to Fc receptors
Biological activity of IgG FcR binding
antibody Fc region provides mechanistic link between antigen specific V-domain and 4 main effector functions:
- activation of complement
- clearance and elimination of antibody coated pathogens (opsonisation, phagocytic, ADCC, mast cell degeneration)
- transport and delivery of Ig to different body compartments
- regulation of immune responses (B cell activation, antibody affinity maturation, IgG production, DC function)
Inborn errors of immunity (IEI)
heterogeneous group of genetic disorders resulting in immune dysfunction and ill health
almost 500 single gene defects identified impacting the immune response
most common: pure antibody deficiency syndromes
Inborn errors of immunity with multiple episodes of a wide range of infection
common organisms and rare opportunistic infections and live vaccines
Children > adults
high or complete penetrance
SCID, XLA, CGD
Inborn errors of immunity with susceptibility to weakly virulent organisms only
environmental TB species and BCG vaccine
familial disease
Go back and make flashcards for other two ‘Inborn errors of immunity with’
genetic susceptibility to TB
monogenic genetic IL-12 receptor associated with TB in children (very rare)
P1104A variant of TYK2 associated with increased risk (found in 4% of european ancestry
variant impairs IL-23 but not IL-12
Susceptibility to infection and autoimmune/auto-inflammatory disease
= gain of function in immune-related gene
autoimmune diseases due to inborn errors of immunity
characteristic feature is presence of pathological self-reactive T cell immune responses
result from inborn errors of: T cell tolerance, apoptosis, regulatory function
hypomorphic (partial loss of function) SCID gene defects
early presentation of autoimmune diseases that are very hard to treat
autoinflammatory disease due to IEI
aberrant activation of innate inflammatory pathways in the absence of antigen directed autoimmunity
clinical presentation: fever, skin rashes, arthritis
2 major categories: IL-1 inflammasomopathies (familial mediterranean fever), type 1 interferonopathies (aicardi goutiers syndrome)
Allergic disorders due to IEI
eczema, eosinophilia and elevated IgE can be a manifestation of IEI
present with severe atopic diseases, refractory to standard therapy, high level of TH2 biomarkers AND increased susceptibility to infection, autoimmune diseases, skeletal and vascular abnormalities and neuro-developmental delay
autosomal dominant STAT-3 loss of function is prototype for hyper IgE syndrome
early onset viral related cancers and IEI
EBV can cause Hodkins and non-Hodgkins lymphoma
combined immune deficiency syndromes affecting CD8 T cells NK cells - impairment due to deficiency of perforin or molecule involved in release of cytolytic granules, loss/ reduction of proximal signalling molecules in T cell and NK activation
clinical presentation of IEI
heterogeneous
minor symptoms: selective IgA deficiency
modest symptoms: common variable immune deficiency supported by weekly or monthly IgG therapy
life-threatening: SCID unless corrected by BMT and/or gene therapy
Presentation of IEI (infection)
Severe (sepsis)
Persistent
Unusual infections (opportunistic)
Recurrent ( > 2 episode pneumonia in a year, > 8 episodes of otitis media in child)
consider possibility of IEI in conditions arising from complication of recurrent infections (eg. bronchiectasis and chronic rhino-sinusitis)
early onset or refractory autoimmune cytopenias
very early onset inflammatory disease, Haemophagocytic
Lympohistiocytosis (HLH), unexplained inflammatory skin disease,
granulomatous disease,
Difficult to treat allergic skin disease with systemic features to suggest
possibility of IEL ( infection, autoimmune disease etc)
Unexplained viral induced cancers in patient less than 40 year
EBV lymphoproliferative disease
HPV cutaneous warts
Family history of immune deficiency and/or consanguinity
First-line blood tests for immunodeficiency (FISH)
FBC
Immunoglobulins
Serum complement
HIV test (18-80 years)
Tests to exclude secondary immune deficiency
renal and liver profile
calcium and bone profile
total protein and albumin
urine protein/Cr ratio
serum protein electrophoresis
serum free light chains
second-line tests for immune deficiency
concentration of vaccine antibodies
analysis of lymphocyte subsets using flow cytometry
third line tests to diagnose immune deficiency
genetic tests
Serum Igs roles
IgG is key to host defence in alveoli (equilibrium with blood)
secretory IgA and IgM protect upper and lower airways - originate from mucosal B cells rather than blood
risk of pneumonia increases with IgG level < 4.0g/L
Extra-follicular B cells
recognise protein
t cell dependent and independent
rapid response (24-96 hours)
class switching
memory
short lived plasma cells
Marginal zone b cell
recognise encapsulated organisms (carbs)
t cell independent
IgM > IgA and IgG
limited memory and antibody affinity
made in spleen/GI tissue
pre-diversity Ig repertoire
Germinal centre B cells
recognise protein
T cell dependent
5-7 days response
class switching
memory
affinity maturation
long lived plasma cells
Neutrophils
largest innate cell population in blood: continuous production by bone marrow regulated by IL-17 G-CSF axis
found in bone marrow, LN, lung, spleen
first line: recruited from blood
eliminate pathogens : phagocytosis, degranulation, NETosis
healing and repair tissue damage
modulate adaptive immune responses: promote T cell independent antibody production, enhance or suppress T cell function
inborn errors affecting neutrophils
defective binding to endothelial cells: leukocyte adhesion deficiency syndrome
defective generation of reactive oxygen species (chronic granulomatous disease)
Chronic benign neutropenia
Mild (usually) or moderate neutropenia
Common in number of ancestry groups (Africa, Middle East)
Associated with SNP in DARC gene which leads to absent expression
Asymptomatic ( should not lead to further investigation)
Familial idiopathic neutropenia
Adult onset
Moderate, severe neutropenia
Associated with organ specific autoimmune disease
Usually no significant increase risk of infection
Severe congenital neutropenia
Defects in neutrophil maturation: present < 3 months
Genetic syndromes (neutrophil elastase)
Genetic defects which may also involve other organ systems (Kostmann, SDS)
Pre-malignant conditions (MDS and AML)
Susceptible to oral, cutaneous and epithelial Staph aureus, G- enteric bacteria and fungal infection
G-CSF support and stem cell transplantation for high risk individuals
Failure of neutrophil migration
Leukocyte adhesion deficiency
Deficiency of CD18 (β2 integrin subunit)
CD11a/CD18 (LFA-1) is expressed on neutrophils, binds to ligand (ICAM-1) on endothelial cells and so regulates neutrophil adhesion/transmigration
Lack of expression of adhesion molecules results in failure to exit from the bloodstream
delayed separation of umbilical cord
very high neutrophil counts in blood (20-100 x106/L)
Absence of pus formation
Chronic granulomatous disease
Absent respiratory burst
Deficiency of one of components of NADPH oxidase
Inability to generate oxygen free radicals results in impaired killing, NETosis.
Skin, lymph node, liver, bone, chest bacterial , fungal, TB and NTM infections
Excessive inflammation
NADPH: leads to increased NF-κ β and IL-1β activation
Macrophage infiltration and granuloma
Gastro-intestinal and genitourinary inflammatory disease
Management
Cotrimoxazole and itraconazole prophylaxis
Adjunctive IFN-, Stem cell and gene therapy
Investigation of neutrophil IEI syndromes
Immunoglobulins
Lymphocyte subsets
Bone marrow biopsy
Neutrophil function assay
Neutrophil oxidative burst
Stimulate neutrophils and measure hydrogen peroxide
DHR-123 assay: DHR-13 is oxidised to rhodamine which is strongly fluorescent, following interaction with hydrogen peroxide
Genetic neutrophil panels
Complement
Complement protein network:
Complement cascade proteins (C3, C4)
Complement regulatory protein (C1 inhibitor, Factors B,D, P, H I, CD46, CD55, CD59)
Complement receptors (CR1-4)
Complement function:
Induction of acute inflammatory responses (C3a, C5a)
Opsonisation of pathogens (C3b)
Removal of immune complexes (C1q-CR1)
Control of Neisseria infection (C5-9)
Regulation of B and T cell immune responses (C3d)
Complement protein deficiencies
Classical complement C1-C4-2
SLE ( C1q: 90% will develop SLE)
Susceptibility to encapsulated bacterial infections
Haemophilus influenzae type b
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Alternative Pathway
Neisseria meningitis (Properdin)
C3
Pyogenic bacterial infection
C3 glomerulopathy
Terminal complement pathway deficiency
Neisseria meningitis infection
Disseminated gonococcal infection
MBL deficiency
5-30% of population: not clinically significant
Deficiency of complement regulatory proteins
C1 inhibitor deficiency
Recurrent episodes of angioedema (skin, abdomen, larynx)
Bradykinin mediated angioedema
Low C4 normal C3 absent C1 inhibitor function
Emergency therapy with C1 inhibitor (NOT Adrenaline)
Maintenance therapy (C1 inhibitor concentrate, icatibant (bradykinin antagonist) kallikrein antagonist (ecallitanide and lanadelumab)
Factor H, I, MCP (CD46) regulate C3 levels
C3 glomerulopathy
Atypical Haemolytic uraemic syndrome
Low C3 normal C4 absent alternative pathway function (AP50)
CD55 and CD59
Adult presentation
Triad haemolysis, thrombosis and pancytopaenia
Investigation of complement function
FBC
Serum immunoglobulin
Lymphocyte subsets
C3 and C4
Functional complement tests: CH50 classical pathway, AP50 alternative pathway
Complement genetic test
Complement deficiencies management
Vaccination:
Boost protection mediated by other arms of the immune system
Tetravalent Meningococcal vaccine , Pneumovax and HIB vaccines
Prophylactic antibiotics
Treat infection aggressively
Screening of family members
Primary lymphoid organs
= Organs involved in lymphocyte development
Bone marrow:
Both T and B lymphocytes are derived from haematopoetic stem cells
Site of B cell maturation
Thymus:
Site of T cell maturation.
Most active in the foetal and neonatal period, involutes after puberty
Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)
results from defects in generation of lymphoid precursors in bone marrow
absence or dysfunction of T cells affecting both cellular and humoral immunity
Mechanistic basis for SCID: more 20 possible pathways:
Metabolic diseases which inhibit lymphocyte development
Absent or impaired cytokine signal transduction pathways
Defects in V (D)J recombination resulting in failure to generate antigen specific T and B cell receptor
Failure to form functional T cell receptor complex (mutations in TCR signal transduction proteins)
Abnormalities in stromal component of thymus
SCID clinical features
Children: onset of disease less than 1 year, fatal if immune defect is not corrected with 2 years
Multiple, recurrent opportunistic infections involving many organs
Autosomal recessive or X-linked inheritance
Complete penetrance
Inherited from the parental genome
Unwell by 3 months of age
Persistent viral, chest and GI infection (para-influenza -3, adenovirus )
Opportunistic infections (Pneumocystis jirovecii, CMV, )
Live vaccine infection (BCG, rotavirus)
Persistent or severe mucosal and/or skin candida infection
Failure to thrive
Unusual skin disease
Graft versus host disease
Bacterial infection rare
Family history of early infant death
Diagnosis of SCID
Low lymphocyte count (counts are normally much higher in children than in adults
CD3 T cell count < 300cells/uL
T cell proliferation < 10% of control
Low serum immunoglobulins
Flow cytometry
T- B+ SCID
T-B-SCID
Targeted gene panels
SCID treatment
Stem cell transplantation
HLA matched sibling
HLA matched unrelated donor
Haplo-identical donor
Outcomes best
Age less than 3.5 months
No infection
Matched sibling donor
Survival from all donors equivalent of no infection present
Early diagnosis improve outcomes
No suitable donors: gene therapy
SCID gene therapy
remove, isolate and grow CD34 then expose to retroviral vector and reinsert
Initial trials for X-Linked SCID led to restoration of T cell immunity but complicated by T cell leukaemia in 20% of recipients
Development of safer viral vectors has reduced risk of T cell leukaemia
Application of reduced conditioning to allow space in bone marrow for engraftment of gene transfected Stem cell has allowed much better restoration of B cell function
Approved for ADA-SCID in Europe
Screening for SCID: TREC analysis
Generation of a T cell receptor is associated with formation of DNA extra-chromosomal ‘by-product’ called the T-cell receptor excision (TREC)
Measurement of TREC in blood is a good biomarker of thymic function and can be used to identify low T cell counts in neonates
Flow cytometry is then used to enumerate T cell counts in patients with low TREC counts and direct further investigation
Results of TREC screen in the USA show
SCID is more common than expected
Improved outcomes following SCT
22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Most common chromosomal deletion syndrome
Occurs 1 in 1000 foetuses, 90% de novo deletions
Developmental failure of pharyngeal arch (craniofacial structures, thymus, parathyroid glands aortic arch and cardiac outflow tract
Original description was clinical triad of immune deficiency hypoparathyroidism and congenital heart disease
Now known to have heterogeneous presentation multiple additional congenital abnormalities (face, kidney), ENT, gastrointestinal, cognitive, behavioural and psychiatric features
22q11.2 deletion syndrome and immune deficiency
5% of children have reduced T cells number which usually resolve in early childhood
Much smaller proportion of children present with SCID phenotype and thymic transplantation has emerged as a useful option
Increased incidence of autoimmune disease (ITP) and humoral defects with age
Sino-pulmonary infection more often secondary to underlying structural upper airway disease with added subtle antibody defect (patient may benefit from antibiotic prophylaxis over winter)
secondary lymphoid tissues
site of T and B cell activation by APC
distinct functional subunits:
B cell area = germinal centres (positive selection for antigen specific B cells)
lymph nodes
spleen (unique function: removes aged red cells)
Mucosal lymphoid tissues - tonsils, adenoids, peyer’s patches, isolated lymphoid follicles
Selective IgA deficiecnt
Commonest primary antibody deficiency syndrome: incidence influenced by geography: 1 in 163 in Spain to 1: 14,840 in Japan
Diagnosis: serum IgA less than 0.07g/L with normal serum immunoglobulins, vaccine responses and B and T cell counts
30% of individual are symptomatic
Allergic disorders
Sino-pulmonary and enteric infections
Autoimmune disease (CD, ITP, SLE, AITD, and Type 1 DM)
GI cancers
Must be distinguished from IgA deficiency associated with IgG2 subclass and/or specific polysaccharide antibody deficiency
Common variable immune deficiency (CVID)
Antibody deficiency syndrome characterised by
Increased susceptibility to infection
Autoimmune disease
Granulomatous disease
Lymphoproliferative disease
CVID pathogenesis
Heterogeneous group of conditions
Defect in B cell function, characterised by failure to make protective antibodies to polysaccharide encapsulated pathogens
Immune defect
Intrinsic B cell defect in development, maturation or function
Insufficient help from CD4 T cells
Aetiology is largely unknown, polygenic disorder however in in a small proportion of patients (5-10%%) monogenic genetic mutation identified
CVID: infection phenotype
Recurrent bacterial sino-pulmonary infection with encapsulated bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and haemophilus influenzae type B
Repeated chest and sinus may result in bronchiectasis, chronic sinusitis in 20-60% of patients
Otiitis media and Haemophilus type b conjunctivitis
Enteric infection with Campylobacter jejeuni and Giardia lamblia, small bowel bacteria overgrowth syndrome
Skin: cellulitis, abscess, HSV and VZV infection
Persistent, severe, recurrent respiratory viral (rhinovirus) and norovirus infections
Normal life expectancy with IgG replacement therapy
CVID complex phenotype
20-30% of patients with CVID will experience an autoimmune/inflammatory disorder
Autoimmune disorder in CVID patients (ITP, AIHA, thyroid disease)
Autoinflammatory condition (CVID enteropathy, nodular regenerative hyperplasia and granulomatous hepatitis which can lead to portal hypertension and cirrhosis)
Granulomatous interstitial lung disease: often with granulomatous infiltration in lymph nodes, spleen, skin, liver,
Increased risks of B cell NHL and gastric cancer
Monogenic CVID tend to more common associated with complex CVID phenotypes
Reduced life expectancy: roughly 20% reduction over 20 years
CVID diagnosis
Age more than 4 years
Reduction in serum IgG and IgA and/or IgM more than 2 SD below reference interval for healthy controls
Poor vaccine responses to either carbohydrate (pneumovax) and/or protein antigen (tetanus)
Exclusion of other causes of antibody deficiency (B Cell LPD and drugs induced syndromes)
CVID management
Standard management for complication of lung disease
Physiotherapy
Sputum surveillance
Saline nebuliser and carbocysteine
Standard antibiotic and airflow obstruction protocols
Address co-morbidities (Sinus disease, GORD, OSA, Asthma )
IgG replacement therapy
Treatment of autoimmune and granulomatous complications of CVID
IgG replacement therapy
Only replaces IgG: not IgA and IgM
Intravenous and subcutaneous preparations derived from plasma pools between 1,000 and 10,000 donors (European and from 2021 UK donors)
IgG preparation will contain antibodies to pneumococcus, haemophilus tetanus, measles mumps and Hep A and Hep B
Several different IgG products available
All have similar efficacy
Patient tolerability to different products vary
ADR include fever, headache, myalgia, rash, rigors, anaphylaxis - have to infuse slowly
Supplies of different IgG products can be erratic
X-linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA)
Presentation usually aged less than 5 years
Mutation in BTK gene encoding Bruton Tyrosine Kinase
Recurrent bacterial pyogenic infection involving ear, nose, throat, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract infection
Microbiology: S. pneumoniae, H influenzae S aureus, and Pseudomonas spp:
Virology: unique susceptibility to disseminated enteroviral infection if not on IgG replacement therapy
Autoimmune and inflammatory disease not uncommon
Usually absent all immunoglobulins isotype and marked reduction or absent B cells:
Neutropenia can be a feature of XLA
Family history of male relative on maternal side
Standard management for bronchiectasis and chronic sinusitis with IgG replacement therapy
Chronic or acute lung disease is the most common cause of death
Auto-inflammatory diseases
Activation of innate immune cells such as macrophages and neutrophils, with resulting tissue damage
Auto-immune diseases
Activation of aberrant T cell and B cell responses in primary and secondary lymphoid organs lead to breaking of tolerance with development of immune reactivity towards self-antigens
Organ-specific antibodies may predate clinical
disease by years
Adaptive immune response plays the
predominant role in clinical expression of disease
Monogenic (systemic) auto-inflammatory disease
Mutations in a gene encoding a protein involved in a pathway associated with innate immune cell function
Abnormal signalling via key cytokine pathways involving TNF-alpha and/or IL-1 is common
Classically present with
- periodic fevers
- inflammation – eg skin/joint/serosal/CNS
- high CRP
eg. familial Mediterranean fever
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)
Autosomal recessive condition
Mutation in MEFV gene
MEFV gene encodes pyrin-marenostrin
Pyrin-marenostrin expressed mainly in neutrophils
Failure to regulate cryopyrin driven activation of neutrophils
Clinical presentation:
Periodic fevers lasting 48-96 hours associated with:
Abdominal pain due to peritonitis
Chest pain due to pleurisy and pericarditis
Arthritis
Rash
Complication - AA amyloidosis
Liver produces serum amyloid A as acute phase protein
Serum amyloid A deposits in kidneys, liver, spleen
FMF diagnosis & treatment
Investigation:
High CRP, high SAA
Blood sample to specialist genetics laboratory to identify MEFV mutation
Treatment:
Colchicine 500mcg bd - binds to tubulin in neutrophils and disrupts neutrophil functions including migration and chemokine secretion
IL-1 blocker (anakinra, canukinumab)
TNF alpha blocker
Monogenic auto-immune diseases
Mutation in a gene encoding a protein involved in a pathway associated with adaptive immune cell function
Abnormality of regulatory T cells - IPEX
Abnormality of lymphocyte apoptosis - ALPS
IPEX
Immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked
Mutations in Foxp3 (Forkhead box p3) which is required for development of CD25+Treg cells
Failure to negatively regulate T cell responses
Autoreactive B cells
limited repertoire of autoreactive B cells
Presentation:
Diabetes Mellitus
Hypothyroidism
Enteropathy
Eczema
ALPS
Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome
Mutations within FAS pathway
Eg mutations in TNFRSF6 which encodes FAS
Disease is heterogeneous depending on the mutation
Defect in apoptosis of lymphocytes
Failure of tolerance
Failure of lymphocyte ‘homeostasis’
Presentation:
High lymphocyte numbers with large spleen and lymph nodes
Auto-immune disease
commonly auto-immune cytopenias
Lymphoma
Polygenic auto-inflammatory diseases
Mutations in genes encoding proteins involved in pathways associated with innate immune cell function
Local factors at sites predisposed to disease lead to activation of innate immune cells such as macrophages and neutrophils, with resulting tissue damage
HLA associations are usually less strong
In general these disease are not characterised by presence of auto-antibodies
Inflammatory bowel disease
Familial association studies and twin studies suggested genetic predisposition to disease
15% patients have an affected family member
50% vs <10% disease concordance in monozygotic vs dizygotic twins
> 200 disease susceptibility loci found
Crohn’s disease
IBD1 gene on chromosome 16 identified as NOD2 (CARD-15, caspase activating recruitment domain -15).
Three different mutations of this gene have each been shown to be associated with Crohn’s disease.
NOD2 gene mutations are present in 30% patients (ie not necessary)
Abnormal allele of NOD2 increases risk of Crohn’s disease by 1.5-3x if one copy and 14-44x if two copies (ie not sufficient)
NOD2 expressed in cytoplasm of myeloid cells - macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells
Intracellular receptor for muramyl dipeptide on bacterial products and promotes their clearance
Mutations also found in patients with Blau syndrome and some forms of sarcoidosis
Crohn’s presentation & treatment
Clinical features:
Abdominal pain and tenderness
Diarrhoea (blood, pus, mucous)
Fevers, malaise
Treatment may include:
Corticosteroid
Anti-TNF alpha antibody
Mixed pattern immunological diseases
Mutations in genes encoding proteins involved in pathways associated with innate immune cell function
And
Mutations in genes encoding proteins involved in pathways associated with adaptive immune cell function
HLA associations may be present
Auto-antibodies are not usually a feature
Examples:
Axial spondyloarthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Behcet’s syndrome
Axial spondyloarthritis
Highly heritable - 90% of the risk of developing disease is genetic
HLA-B27 accounts for 50% overall genetic risk
Enhanced inflammation occurs at specific sites where there are high tensile forces
(entheses - sites of insertions of ligaments or tendons)
AS presentation & treatment
Presentation
Low back pain and stiffness
Enthesitis
Large joint arthritis
Treatment
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Immunosuppression
Anti-TNF alpha
Anti-IL17
(diagnosis: clinical & MRI)
Polygenic auto-immune diseases
Mutations in genes encoding proteins involved in pathways associated with adaptive immune cell function (including HLA molecules)
Aberrant T and B cell responses in primary and secondary lymphoid organs lead to breaking of tolerance with development of immune reactivity towards self-antigens
Auto-antibodies are found – reflecting development of B cell response
Examples:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Myaesthenia Gravis
Primary biliary cholangitis
Pernicious anaemia
Addison disease
Genetic polymorphisms - HLA associations
HLA presentation of antigen is required for development of T cell and T cell-dependent B cell responses
HLA-DR15: 10 fold risk of goodpasture disease
HLA-DR3: 4 fold risk of Graves and 6 fold risk of SLE
HLA-DR3/DR4: 25 fold risk of T1DM
HLA-DR4: 4 fold risk of RA
PTPN22 (genetic polymorphisms)
Protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor 22
Lymphocyte specific tyrosine phosphatase which suppresses T cell activation
Allelic variants found in SLE, RA, T1DM
CTLA4 (genetic polymorphisms)
Cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated protein 4
Expressed by T cells and transmits inhibitory signal to control T cell activation
Allelic variants found in SLE, RA, T1DM, auto-immune thyroid disease
Gel and Coombs classification of polygenic autoimmune diseases
Type I: Anaphylactic hypersensitivity
- Immediate hypersensitivity which is IgE mediated – rarely self antigen
Type II: Cytotoxic hypersensitivity
- Antibody reacts with cellular antigen
Type III: Immune complex hypersensitivity
- Antibody reacts with soluble antigen to form an immune complex
Type IV: Delayed type hypersensitivity
- T-cell mediated response