Immunosuppressive Agents (Exam V)

Question 1

What do glucocorticoids do?

Examples?

Answer 1

Suppress immune response, mimic naturally occurring adrenal corticosteroids.

Prednisone, Hydrocortison, Dexamethasone

Question 2

What are Calcineurin Inhibitors?

Examples?

Answer 2

Block T-cell receptor signaling, activation of the T-cell pathway

Cyclosporine, Tacrolimus

Question 3

What are Cytotoxic Agents?

Examples?

Answer 3

They kill rapidly proliferating cells (many are antineoplastics)

Azothioprine, Cyclophosphamide, Hydroxychloroquine

Question 4

What are immunosuppressive antibodies?

Examples?

Answer 4

Antibodies created in a lab, directed against cell surface antigens/receptors

Muromonab (CD3), RhoGAM, Adalimumanb (TNF-a inhibitor)

Question 5

What are 4 different hypersensitivity reactions? Essay Question ACID

Answer 5

Type I (Anaphylactic)
– Allergy, anaphylaxis
-Immediate response
-Antibodies on mast cells - degranulation

Type II (Cytotoxic/cell destruction)
-Most common from transfusion reaction, hemolytic disease in newborn.
-Antibodies against human cells – destroy cells

Type III (Immune complex) –
-RA, Arthus reaction
-Immune complex formation
-Antibodies and complement

Type IV (Delayed hypersensitivity) –
-Contact allergen,
-Graft-versus host disease.
-No antibodies, only T cells

ACID

Question 6

Describe Type II Hypersensitivity reaction and Hemolytic Disease of a newborn.

Answer 6

If Rh-negative mother has a Rh-positive fetus, there will be no problem in the first pregnancy. But during the first birthing process the break in placental membrane at delivery will allow Rh antigens to enter maternal circulation. The mother will make anti-bodies to that Rh factor.

In subsequent pregnancy with a Rh positive fetus, the IgG antibodies will freely cross the placenta and attack the infant’s RBC.

Mother will take RhoGAM to inhibit the IgG antibodies from attacking the fetus.