Immunology Flashcards
What deficiency is found in Hereditary Angioneurotic Oedema (HAO)?
C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency
What is the effect of C1 esterase deficiency?Which complement is found to be low?
Persistent activation of the classical complement pathway and low C4 levels due to consumption.
If Hereditary Angioneurotic Oedema (HAO) is refractory to treatment and the C4 levels stay low, what complication may develop?
SLE
For the following drug prefixes that occur just before mab (monoclonal antibody) comment on the type of monoclonal Ab:
- o
- xi
- zu
- u
- o = mouse
- xi = chimeric
- zu = humanized
- u = fully human
What are the 4 types of hypersensitivity reactions and give the mechanism and an example of each.
Clue: ACID
ACID:
Type 1 - Allergic
Mechanism: IgE-mediated (quick)
Example: Penicillin drug allergy, Bee stings
Type 2 - Cytotoxic
Mechanism: Cytotoxic/IgG-mediated
Examples: Goodpasture’s syndrome, AIHA
Type 3 - Immune complex mediated
Immune complex deposition and IgG/IgM mediated
Examples: SLE, polyarteritis nodosa, serum sickness
Type 4 - Delayed or cell-mediated
Mechanism: cell-mediated (T-helper cells activate macrophages and cytotoxic T-cells)
Example: contact dermatitis (latex)
NB: grossly simplified!
That is Job’s syndrome?
AKA: AD-HIES - autosomal dominant hyperimmunoglobulin IgE syndrome associated with high IgE level.
Characterised by the triad (SEE):
Skin and pulmonary infections
Eczema
Eosinophilia
Mnemonic: SEE if I can GEt him a JOB?
–> SEE-IGE-JOB
In a patient with severe allergic rhinitis and severe asthma, which of the following is TRUE (may be more than one answer):
A. Desensitisation will improve allergic rhinitis but not asthma
B. Desensitisation carries higher risk of morbidity in this patient.
C. Inhaled nasal corticosteroids are indicated
D. Omalizumab may be of benefit for both allergic conditions
E. Serum tests for specific IgE will show results similar to skin testing.
A. Desensitisation will improve allergic rhinitis but not asthma - FALSE (both would benefit)
B. Desensitisation carries higher risk of morbidity in this patient - TRUE
C. Inhaled nasal corticosteroids are indicated - TRUE
D. Omalizumab may be of benefit for both allergic conditions - TRUE
E. Serum tests for specific IgE will show results similar to skin testing - TRUE
What is the MOA Omalizumab?
What is the indications?
MOA:
- Recombinant humanised antibody of IgG1 subclass targeted at IgE.
- Binds free IgE in serum
- Decreases expression of high-affinity receptors upon mast cells/basophils/eosinophils
- Decreased inflammatory mediator release
Indications:
- mod-severe asthma
- Refractory idiopathic chronic urtcaria
How do Quantiferon Gold assays work?
- They are Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA)
- Mycobacterium TB peptides stimulate the release of IFN-gamma via Th1 cells (T helper cells)
Which of the following T helper cells are implicated in the Quantiferon Gold assay (Th1, Th2 or Th17)?
Th1
Which cell type is the major antigen-presenting cell (APC) responsible for initiating immune response?
Dendritic cells
Dendritic cells (DC) present processed antigen to T-cells (TC) via the MHC complex to T-cell receptors.
Name 2 co-stimulatory pathways that ACTIVATE the T-cell.
- [DC] CD80/CD86 : CD28 [TC]
2. [DC] CD40 : CD40L [TC]
Dendritic cells (DC) present processed antigen to T-cells (TC) via the MHC complex to T-cell receptors.
Name 3 co-stimulatory pathways that INHIBIT the T-cell.
- [DC] CD80/CD86 : CTLA4 [TC]
- [DC] PD-L1/PD2-L2 : PD1 [TC]
- [DC] OX40L : OX40 [TC]
Dendritic cells present processed antigen to T-cells via the MHC complex to T-cell receptors (TCR).
Name a co-stimulatory pathways that either activates or inhibits depending upon CD28-signalling of the T-cell
[DC] ICOSL : ICOS [TC]
Activates with CD28 signalling.
With the activation of the co-stimulatory pathway of ICOSL (dendritic cells) and ICOS (T-cells), which 2 interleukins are released?
IL-3 and IL-10
Which 2 places do plasma dendritic cells migrate to to maximise interaction with circulating B-cells and T-cells?
LNs and spleen.
What is Sifalimumab?
Which condition may it be beneficial in?
Anti-IFN-alpha mAb that may be used in the treatment of adult SLE
What type of pathogens cause interferons release?
Viruses.
Describe type I and type II interferons in terms of:
- Receptor type
- Categories of interferons
- Prototypic cell(s) of origin
Type I interferons (type I receptors):
IFN-alpha - leukocyte (most cells)
IFN-beta - fibroblast (most cells)
IFN-omega - leukocyte
Type II interferons (type II receptors):
IFN-gamma - T-cells and NK-cells (lymphocytes)
What triggers the release of the following IFNs:
- IFN-alpha and IFN-beta
- IFN-gamma
- IFN-alpha and IFN-beta: viral dsRNA
2. IFN-gamma: mitogens
What are effects of type I interferons?
Interferes with viral replication:
- Induces resistance to viral replication in all cells
- Increases MHC-I expression and Ag-presentation on all cells.
- Activates dendritic cells (DC) and macrophages (Mp)
- Activates NK-cells
Which 3 cells lines are activated by interferons?
- Dendritic cells
- Macrophages
- NK-cells
How are plasmacytoid dentritic cells (pDC) distinct from conventional dendritic cells (cDC)?
- pDC respond to viral infections by secreting a lot of type I IFNs (i.e. IFN-alpha and IFN-beta)
- pDC (unlike cDC) are LESS involved in Ag-processing, , co-stimulatory molecules and MHC-II expression
What is the function of follicular helper T-cells (Tfh)?
Which co-stimulatory signals do they use?
Tfh migrate to lymphoid follicles and help B-cells class-switch and affinity maturation.
They use the following 2 co-stimulatory signals:
- [Tfh] ICOS : ICOSL [B-cell]
- [Tfh] CD40L : CD40 [B-cell]
Which 3 cytokines are secreted by follicular helper T-cells?
IL-21
IL-4 or IFN-gamma
What are the 2 typical manifestations of CVID (Common Variable Immunodeficiency)?
Recurrent:
- Sinopulmonary infections +/- bronchiectasis
- Gut infections
Which immunoglobulin are usually deficient in CVID (Common Variable Immunodeficiency)?
IgG and IgA or IgM.
In CVID (Common Variable Immunodeficiency), B-cells are typically:
A. Increased B. Normal C. Decreased D. Normal or decreased E. Normal or increased
D. Normal or decreased
Patients with CVID (Common Variable Immunodeficiency) are at increased risk of which 4 types of conditions?
Complications of CVID:
- Lymphoproliferation
- Neoplasm (stomach and lymphoma)
- Autoimmunity (immune cytopenias)
- Granulomatous disease
What is the treatment of CVID (Common Variable Immunodeficiency)?
- IV or SC immunoglobulins (IVIg / SCIg)
- Prophylactic antibiotics
T/F: there is a clear genetic cause in MOST cases of of CVID.
False - genetic explanation is found in less than 30% of cases.
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) classically presents with:
- What clinical features?
- What ANCA findings?
- What immunohistopathology?
- Goodpasture’s syndrome = haemoptysis and haematuria
- c-ANCA+ with PR3
- Pauci-immune vasculitis of small/medium vessels with necrotising granulomatous inflammation
REMEMBER:
- CPR (c-ANCA and PR3 positive)
- GPA may also rarely by pANCA + with MPO
Patient with Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) presents with severe end-organ involvement (i.e. haemoptysis and haematuria). What aggressive treatment should be instigated?
- Pulsed steroids
2. Second agent: Cyclophophamide or Rituximab
Cyclophosphamide has side effects that affect multiple organs, describe the complications in the following:
- Bone marrow
- Bladder
- Endocrine
- GIT
- Immune system
- Lungs
- Bone marrow: marrow suppression, neutropenia
- Bladder: haemorrhagic cystitis, cancer, fibrosis
- Endocrine: infertility, osteoporosis
- GIT: nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort
- Immune system: hypogammaglobulinaemia, lymphoma/leukaemia
- Lungs: interstitial pulmonary fibrosis
Which cells release ‘soluble’ CTLA4 molecules?
Regulatory T-cells (Treg)
In a local immune response, what is function of soluble CTLA4 molecules?
Bind to B7 (aka CD80/CD86) on APC and INHIBIT T-cell activation
What are the 3 main cytokines produced by the B-cell?
- IFN-gamma
- IL-6
- IL-10
What are the 2 main co-stimulatory molecules found on B-cells?
- CD40
2. B7 (aka CD80/CD86)
What are the 4 main functions of B-cells?
- Ingestion of complement-coated antigens
- Antigen presentation to T-cells (ingests via smIg)
- Differentiate to form antibody-forming cells
- Release cytokines (IFN-gamma / IL-6 / IL-10)
Which 3 monokines induce the ‘liver’ to produce acute phase reactants during an acute phase response?
IL-1
IL-6
TNF
Give 3 functions of acute phase reactants produced by the liver in response to monokines during an acute phase response. Give an example of each.
- Fight infection - CRP, MBL
- Prevent tissue destruction - alpha-1-anti-trypsin
- Promote tissue healing - fibrinogen
Describe the story of the B-cell with respect to the following chapters:
- Bone marrow
- Lymph node
- Bone marrow (site of maturation): stem cell to Pro-B to Pre-B (MHC+) to Immature-B (IgM) to Mature-B (IgM +/- IgD)
Mature B-cell migrates via blood to lymph node
- Lymph node (site of interaction):
- Within primary follicle of LN: B-cell interacts follicular dendritic cells (APC) and T-cells
- Form Plasmablasts (short-lived)
- Form Plasma Cells (long-lived)
What is primary vs. secondary lymphoid tissue?
Primary lymphoid tissue = red bone marrow and thymus
Secondary lymphoid tissue = lymph nodes, tonsils, spleen, Peyer’s patches (ileum) and MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue)
Where is MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) found in the body?
Many places: GIT, thyroid, breast, lung, salivary glands, eye, and skin.
What is CD40L also known as?
CD154
Which co-stimulatory pathways between Memory T-cells (mTC) and APC do the following biologics disrupt?
Give MOA for each.
- Abatacept
- Belatacept
- CD28 domain Ab
- Anti-ICOS mAb
- Oxelumab
- Alefacept
- Efalizumab
[APC] CD80/CD86 : CD28 [mTC] - activates mTC
- Abatacept (CTLA4/IgG1 fusion molecule) binds CD80/CD86 on APC and inactivates mTC
- Belatacept: same MOA as Abatacept
- CD28 domain Ab binds CD28 on mTC and inactivates mTC
[APC] ICOS-L : ICOS [mTC] - activates mTC if CD28:CD80/CD86 costimulation is also present
4. Anti-ICOS mAb binds ICOS on mTC and inactivates mTC.
[APC] OX40L : OX40 [mTC] inactivates mTC
5. Oxelumab binds to OX40L on APC
[APC] LFA3 : CD2 [mTC]
6. Alefacept binds to CD2 on mTC and attracts macrophages and NK-cells leading to mTC death and hence mTC inactivation.
[APC] ICAM : LFA1 [mTC]
7. Efalizumab binds to LFA1 on mTC leading to mTC inactivation.
T/F: pregnancy and post-natal foetal life are predominantly Th2 immune phenomena.
True - Th2 response reduces the risk of miscarriage.
T/F: anti-IL4R Ab (Dupilumab) is useful in atopic eczema.
True - IL4 mediates the atopy in Th2 response, therefore inhibition of the IL4R (IL4 receptor on B-cells and marophages) leads to clinical improvement.
In which of the following conditions is house dust-mite ‘desensitisation’ are useful (route of administration options include; sublingual and subcutaneous):
- Allergic rhinitis
- Asthma
- Atopic dermatitis
- Anaphylaxis
- Allergic rhinitis: effective, sublingual or subcutaneous desensitisation have equal efficacy
- Asthma: risk of asthma attack , not worth risk
- Atopic dermatitis: not effective
- Anaphylaxis: risk of anaphylaxis, not worth risk
VDJ rearrangement of both alpha and beta chain T-cell receptor genes yields a wide range of receptor possibilities.
Where does positive and negative selection of T-cells occur?
Selection occurs in the ‘thymus’ before selected cells are released into the periphery.
What is the trigger for clonal expansion of T-cells?
Exposure to degraded Ag presented on MHC by DCs.
What are the principles of treating a patient with SLE in terms of:
- What should all patients receive?
- What should only patients with severe manifestations (i.e. renal, cerebral and other end-organ complications) receive?
- What should patients mild manifestations to skin and joints receive?
1: All:
- Hydroxychloroquine (i.e. Plaquenil) reduces flares and CVS morbidity.
- Effective with skin/joint SLE
- Severe manifestations (renal/cerebral/other):
- High-dose steroids (initially pulse)
- MMF / cyclophophamide / cyclosporin - Mild manifestations (skin/joints):
- Joint pain: NSAIDs, COX2-inhibitors, low-dose steroids
- Skin: topical steroidss