Inflammation and pharmacology

Question 1

What is central tolerance

Answer 1

A process which limits the DEVELOPMENT of autoreactive B and T-cells through negative and positive selection of T-cells via the binding strength to self-antigens.
* Strong binding = Negative selection (apoptosis)
* Weak binding = Positive selection
* No binding = Negative selection (apoptosis)

Question 2

What is peripheral tolerance

Question 3

Why do we have both central and peripheral tolerance

Question 4

What does ongoing acute inflammation (so chronic)

Answer 4

Leads to…
* Abcess formation
* Excess scarring
* Autoimmunity

Question 5

What are the pro-inflammatory cytokines and their function

Answer 5

• IL-1 - Induces APP
• IL-6 - Induces APP + influences adaptive immunity
• TNF-α - Induces APP
• IL-12 - Activates NK cells + Promotes Th1 differentiation
• IFN-α/b - Activates NK cells + Antiviral state

Question 6

What are the main chemokines and what do they do

Answer 6

• IL-8 (CXCL8) - Attracts neutrophils
• MCP1 (CCL2) - Attract monocytes
• Eotaxin (CCL11) - Attract eosinophils

MCP = Monocyte chemotactic protein 1

Question 7

What are some acute-phase reaction proteins

Answer 7

• C-reactive protein - Opsonisation
• Fibrinogen - Coagulation
• Complement factors - Opsonisation & lysis
• Serum Amyloid A - Cell recruitment & MMP inducer
• Haptoglobin +/ Ferritin - Bind to haemoglobin/Fe