Immunology Flashcards
IgA deficiency affects what type of surface?
Mucosal surfaces
Which cell type is affected in reticular dysgenesis?
Neutrophils (reduced production)
Which mutation is associated with reticular dysgenesis?
Enzyme adenylate kinase 2
Which primary immune deficiency is defined as an autosomal recessive congenital failure of neutrophil maturation?
Kostmann syndrome
Which enzyme is affected in cyclic neutropenia?
Neutrophil elastase
What is the inheritance pattern of cyclic neutropenia?
Autosomal dominant episodic neutropenia every 4-6 weeks
Which primary immune deficiency is associated a very high neutrophil account, and delayed umbilical cord separation?
Leukocyte adhesion deficiency
Which adhesion molecules are insufficiently expressed in Leukocyte adhesion deficiency?
CD11a/CD18 and CD11b/CD18
Which neonatal complication is associated with leukocyte adhesion deficiency?
Delayed umbilical cord separation
What neutrophil pathology is observed in leukocyte adhesion deficiency?
Neutrophilia (raised neutrophil count)
Which primary immunodeficiency is characterised by deficient NADPH oxidase?
Chronic granulomatous disease
Which investigations are indicated for establishing the diagnosis of deficiency oxidative killing?
Nitro-Blue Tetrazolium test
and
DHR flow cytometry
What NBT test result is observed in chronic granulomatous disease?
Negative
(dye normally changes colour from yellow to blue following the interaction with hydrogen peroxide)
In DHR flow cytometry test, DHR is oxidised to what, following the interaction with hydrogen peroxide?
Rhodamine
What is the management for chronic granulomatous disease (NADPH oxidase deficiency)?
Interferon gamma
What enzyme is deficient in chronic granulomatous disease?
NADPH oxidase (oxygen is not converted to superoxide)
In chronic granulomatous disease (NADPH oxidase deficiency), which types of organisms proliferate?
Catalase positive bacteria
PLACES
Pseudomonas
Listeria
Aspergillus (mould)
Candida (fungus)
Staph aureus
Serratia
Deficiency of which interleukin predisposes individuals to mycobacteria?
IL-12 and IFN-y (Inability to form granulomas - as infected macrophages typically produce IL12)
Which factors are associated with the alterantive pathway?
Factor B, D, P (properdin)
Alternative pathway complement deficiencies predisposes the host to which type of bacteria?
Encapsulated organisms
What role does properdin have in the complement cascade?
Stabilises C3 convertase - triggers the membrane attack complex (MAC
Classical pathway complement deficiency is associated with which type III hypersensitivity disorder?
SLE
Which complement (C) is the divergence point for all complement pathways?
C3
C3 deficiency predisposes the host to recurrent infected by which type of bacteria (Name 3)?
(esp. encapsulated – meningococcus, streptococcus, haemophiles)
Secondary C3 deficiency is associated with what type of factors?
Nephritic factors - C3 auto-antibodies
X-linked SCID is associated with which mutation?
Gamma-chain of IL2 receptor
What is the observed phenotype for X-linked SCID?
Very low or absent T and NK cell
Normal or increased B cells
What role does IL-2 receptors have?
Respond to cytokines to promote T cell and NK cell development
What is the phenotype observed in adenosine deaminase deficiency?
- Very low or absent T cell and NK cell numbers
- Very low or absent B cell numbers
What role does adenosine deaminase have?
Lymphocytes require ADA for cell metabolism
Which mutation is associated with DiGeorge Syndrome?
TBX1
Which chromosomal aberration is associated with DiGeorge syndrome?
22q11.2.
What is the diagnosis for the following features:
- Cardiac abnormalities (especially tetralogy of Fallot)
- Abnormal facies (high forehead, low set ears)
- Thymic aplasia (T cell lymphopenia)
- Cleft palate
*Hypocalcaemia/hypoparathyroidism
DiGeorge syndrome
(22q11.2 deletion syndrome)
What is the developmental defect associated with DiGeorge Syndrome regarding primary immune deficiency?
Thymic aplasia
Pharyngeal pouch
What are the clinical manifestations associated with DiGeorge syndrome
(22q11.2 deletion syndrome)?
Remember CATCH-22:
* Cardiac abnormalities (especially tetralogy of Fallot)
* Abnormal facies (high forehead, low set ears)
* Thymic aplasia (T cell lymphopenia)
* Cleft palate
* Hypocalcaemia/hypoparathyroidism
* 22 – chromosome (Detected by FISH cytogenetic analysis).
What is the B/T cell phenotype observed in DiGeorge Syndrome?
Normal number of B cells
Reduced numbers of T cells
Bare lymphocyte syndrome is associated an absent expression of which molecule?
MHC-II molecules
Which T cell is deficient in bare lymphocyte syndrome Type II?
CD4+ cells
CD40L deficiency is associated with which type of primary immune deficiency?
Hyper-IgM syndrome
Which CD ligand is deficient in Hyper IgM syndrome?
CD40L
What is the inheritance pattern for Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome ?
X-linked recessive
Which cell type is affected in Bruton’s X-linked hypogammaglobulinaemia?
B-cells
(Pre-B cells cannot develop to mature B cells)
Which enzyme is defective in Bruton’s X-linked hypogammaglobulinaemia?
Tyrosine kinase
CD40L mutation results in what primary immune deficiency?
Hyper IgM syndrome
What effect does HyperIgM syndrome have on immunoglobulins?
Elevated Serum IgM
Undetectable IgA, IgE, IgG
Which primary immune deficiency is characterised by a marked reduction in IgG with low IgA and IgM?
Common variable immune deficiency
In a DHR flow cytometry test, what is the positive reaction?
Oxidised to rhodamine – strongly fluorescent following interaction with hydrogen peroxide.
What are the positive responses for a NBT test?
- Nitro-Blue Tetrazolium test
- Dye that changes colour from yellow to blue, following interaction with hydrogen peroxide.
What are the antibiotic prophylaxis for immunodeficiency?
Septrin (co-trimoxazole)
What is the definitive therapy for phagocyte deficiency?
Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation
What are the diagnostic tests for complement deficiency?
CH50 (classical pathway)
AP50 (Alternative pathway)
Which interleukins are responsible for causing fever?
IL-1, and IL-6
Which cytokines are implicated in monogenic auto-inflammatory disease?
TNF-alpha and IL-1
What is the inheritance pattern for Familial Mediterranean Fever?
Autosomal recessive
Which gene is implicated in Familial Mediterranean Fever?
MEFV
Which enzyme is raised in Familial Mediterranean Fever?
Pro-caspase 1 - increases TNF-alpha and IL-1
What is the clinical presentation for Familial Mediterranean Fever?
Clinical Presentation – periodic fevers lasting 48-96 hours, associated with:
* Abdominal pain (peritonitis)
* Chest pain (pleurisy and pericarditis)
* Arthritis
* Rash
What is the long term risk associated with Familial Mediterranean Fever?
AA amyloidosis
Why is the risk of AA amyloidosis increased in Familial Mediterranean Fever?
Liver produces serum amyloid AA as an acute phase protein - deposition in kidneys, liver and spleen = nephrotic syndrome (proteinuria) + renal failure.
AL amyloidosis is associated with what?
Multiple myeloma
What is the medical management for Familial Mediterranean Fever?
Colchicine
Anakinra
Etanercept
What is the mechanism of action for Colchicine?
Binds to tubulin in neutrophils - disrupts function in migration/cytokine
What is the mechanism of action of anakinra?
IL-receptor antagonist
What is the mechanism of action for etanercept?
TNF-alpha inhibitor
Name a TNF-alpha inhibitor
Etanercept
Name 2 pattern recognition receptors?
Toll-like receptors and mannose receptors
Antibodies bind to which type of receptors?
Fc receptors
Which enzyme is implicated in oxidative killing?
NADPH oxdiase
NADPH oxidase complex converts oxygen to which type of reactive oxygen species?
Superoxide and hydrogen peroxide
Which bactericidal enzymes are implicated in non-oxidative killing of bacteria in phagolysome?
lysozyme and lactoferrin
What is the site of T-cell maturation?
Thymus
What is the site of B cell maturation?
Bone marrow
Name 3 secondary lymphoid organs
Lymph nodes
Spleen
Mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)
What role does the thymus play in T-cell maturation?
Positive and negative selection
Which CD factor is expressed by all T-cells?
CD3
CD8+ bind to which MHC molecule?
MHC-I
CD4+ binds to which MHC molecule?
MHC-II
Role of Th1 cells?
Helps CD8 and macrophages produce IL-2, IFN-Y and TNF.
Role of Th2 cells?
Humoral response - Helper T cell produce IL-4,5,6
Which cell is recruited by Th17 cells?
Neutrophils
Which IL is secreted by Th17 cells (3 types)?
IL-17, 21, 22
What is expressed by T regulatory cells?
CD25 and FoxP3
Which type of T cells promote germinal centre reactions and B-cell differentiation
T follicular helper cells
Which factors and enzymes are released by CD8 T cells?
Perforin
Granzymes
Which cytokines are secreted by CD8 T-cells?
TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma
Which is the first type of immunoglobulin is produced by B-cells?
IgM
Which ligand interaction supports B-cell differentiation?
CD40L:CD40 interaction
What two processes do B-cells undergo?
Isotype switching
Somatic hypermutation
Which antibody region is the variable region?
FAB - light chains
Where are central memory cells made?
High endothelial venules (HEVs)
Lymph nodes
What protein is used for the Mantoux test?
Purified protein derivative
Threshold for positive mantoux test?
> 10 mm in diameter
Positive NBT test colour?
Blue
Negative NBT test colour?
Yellow
Which IL causes fever?
IL-1, IL-6
Clinical presentation of familial mediterranean fever?
Clinical Presentation – periodic fevers lasting 48-96 hours, associated with:
* Abdominal pain (peritonitis)
* Chest pain (pleurisy and pericarditis)
* Arthritis
* Rash
Which gene is implicated in Crohn’s disease?
NOD2 and iBD1 gene.
What doses NOD2 code for?
Cytoplasmic microbial sensor
What is the management for Crohns disease?
Corticosteroid
Anti-TNF-alpha antibodies
Failure of central tolerance is associated with a defect in what gene?
Autoimmune regulator gene (AIRE)
Failure of peripheral tolerance is associated with which gene?
Foxp3
Molecular self-mimicry is associated with what condition?
Rheumatic fever
Ankylosing spodylitis
Name a monogenic autoimmune disease of central tolerance?
Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS1)
Auto-immune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy syndrome (APECED)
What is the inheritance pattern for autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1?
Autosomal recessive
Which endocrine autoimmune disorders are associated with APS1?
- Multiple auto-immune endocrine diseases: Hypothyroidism, Hypoparathyroidism (85%), Addison’s (78%), Diabetes, Vitiligo, candidiasis (98% - anti-IL17 and anti-IL22 antibodies)
Mutations in which gene is associated with IPEX?
Foxp3
Name a monogenic autoimmune disease associated with peripheral tolerance?
Immune dysregulation polyendocrinopathy enteropathy (IPEX)
what are the clinical features associated with IPEX?
Three Ds - diabetes mellitus, diarrhoea, dermatitis
Which cells are affected in IPEX (peripheral tolerance defect)?
Treg cells
Autoreactive B cells
Failure to negatively regulate T cells
What is the inheritance pattern for ALPS?
Autosomal dominant
Goodpasture disease - allele
HLA-DR15
Graves disease - allele
HLA-DR3
HLA allele in rheumatoid arthritis
HLA-DR4
Which antibody is associated with bullous pemiphigoid?
Anti-hemidesmosome
Coeliac disease -antibody
Coeliac disease
Anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody (IgA), Anti-endomysial antibody (IgA)
Neonatal complication is the context of Anti-Ro antibody (to mothers with SLE)?
Congenital heart block
Which antibody in SLE is associated with congenital heart block?
Anti-Ro