immunology Flashcards
What is a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction?
Classical allergy, mediated by the inappropriate production of specific IgE antibodies to harmless antigens
What atopic conditions are IgE mediated?
Food or drug allergy
Asthma
Allergic rhinitis
Hayfever
Eczema
In T1 hypersensitivity, what is sensitisation?
the initial event that lead to the specific IgE being developed for that allergen
What happens in sensitisation?
type 1 hypersensitivity
CD4 cells recognise the allergen
They proliferate and differentiate into T Helper 2 cells
These Th2 cells release IL-4, that stimulates the production of IgE by B Cells specific to that allergen
The IgE then circulates the blood and binds to mast cells
What happens during the allergic response in type 1 hypersensitivity?
- On re-exposure, IgE binds and causes mast cell degranulation, releasing cytokines including histamine and TNF-α.
- Histamine causes vasodilation, increased vascular permeability and broncho-constriction, causing symptoms of allergy. (happens within minutes of exposure to the allergen).
- TNF-α causes a localised inflammatory process at the site of exposure. (This takes a few hours and is called the late phase reaction)
- Allergic responses to allergens tend to get worse on repeat exposures due to increased sensitisation.
What can be measured after an anaphylactic reaction?
Mast cell tryptase can be measured to confirm the diagnosis of anaphylaxis
will be raised after an anaphylactic reaction
What is type 2 hypersensitivity?
an IgG or IgM antibody-mediated cytotoxic reaction occurring in hours to days
What happens in a type 2 hypersensitivity reaction?
Individual may possess or develop IgG and IgM antibodies
These antibodies can cause damage to cells or tissues (cytotoxicity) either directly by cell surface receptor binding, via activation of the complement pathway or by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.
What are some examples of type 2 hypersensitivity reactions?
Goodpasture’s
Haemolytic disease of the newborn
Blood transfusions reactions
What happens in a blood transfusion reaction?
t2hs
blood is transfused
ABO group of the donor does not match
Antibodies in the recipients blood attack the donors blood causing haemolysis of the donor RBCs
Rapid release of contents of cells and causing a toxic reaction.
What happens in haemolytic disease of the newborn?
t2hs
Rhesus negative mother has a rhesus positive baby
exposure to the babies blood during birth will cause the mother to produce IgG to rhesus
If she has another rhesus positive baby, that IgG will cross the placenta into the babies bloodstream and cause haemolysis of the babies RBCs
What happens in Goodpastures syndrome?
t2hs
antibodies specific to a type of collagen in the glomerular basement membrane in the kidneys and lungs lead to inflammation and destruction of the basement membrane
leading to pulmonary haemorrhage and kidney failure
What is type 3 hypersensitivity?
antigen-antibody immune complex-mediated reaction (IgG and IgM) which can occur over hours, days or weeks.
What happens in type 3 hypersensitivity?
- Soluble antigen in the circulation is bound to by antibodies forming immune complexes.
- complexes precipitate out of the circulation and deposit in tissues (blood vessels, synovial joints and the glomerular basement membrane).
- complexes trigger the classical complement pathway, leading to the recruitment of inflammatory cells including neutrophils that release enzymes and free radicals causing tissue damage
What happens in rheumatoid arthritis?
type 3
RFr is IgM antibody that recognises IgG antibodies as an antigen. (IgM against IgG).
This leads to formation of antibody-antigen complexes in the blood.
These become deposited in joints, skin, lungs and other organs where they activate the complement system and lead to chronic inflammation.
What happens in farmer’s lung?
type 3
Mould and hay spores are breathed into the lungs. Antibodies against the mould or hay antigens form antibody-antigen complexes.
deposited in the lung tissues and alveoli where they activate the complement system and lead to inflammation of the lung tissue
What happens in type 4 hypersensitivity?
- Antigens enter tissues and are picked up by dendritic cells
- Dendritic cells deliver the antigens to the relevant CD4 cell
- CD4 cells proliferate and differentiate into T helper cells
- T helper cells travel to the tissues where to original antigen presented and release cytokines that recruit macrophages
- both cells release proinflammatory cytokines that result in localised inflammation
- In skin this presents as a contact dermatitis
What is type 4 hypersensitivity and an example?
- delayed hypersensitivity, as the reaction typically occurs 24 to 72 hours after antigen exposure
- not antibody-mediated but T cell-mediated
e.g. mantoux test for TB contact