L30: Allergy and Hypersensitivity Flashcards
Hypersensitivity
Adaptive immune response which occurs in an inappropriate or exaggerated way, resulting in tissue damage of some other detrimental response in the host
Type 1 Hypersensitivity
Immediate hypersensitivity. Antigens (allergens) often environmental. IgE and mast cells are central mediators, end results ranges from discomfort to death.
Anaphylactic reactions
- Rapid response (2-30mins)
- Due to interaction of antigen with IgE associated with surface of Mast cells and basophils
- Activates either to cause production of effectors responsible for various types of anaphylaxis
- Vary in extent and severity
- Systemic reaction termed anaphylactic shock - affects breathing and blood pressure
- Localised reactions less severe - hay fever, hives, asthma
Type 1 Hypersensitivity Mechanisms (5)
- Exposure
- Antigen presentation
- Activation of Th2 helper cells
- IgE production
- Binding of IgE to mast cells
Type 1 Hypersensitivity mechanisms in GIT, Airways and Blood Vessels
GIT: increase fluid secretion and peristalsis - expulsion of GIT contents
Airways: decrease diameter, increase mucous secretion - congestion and blockage of airways; swelling and mucus secretion in nasal passages
BV: increase blood flow and permeability - increase fluid in tissues = increase flow of lymph to LN, increase cells and protein in tissues and effector responses in tissues.
Degranulation of mast cells (3)
- Chemoattractants: e.g. cytokines
- Activators: e.g. histamine
- Spasmogens: e.g. histamine, leukotrienes and prostaglandinds
Type 2 Hypersensitivity
Anitbody dependent cytotoxic hypersensitivity. Occurs when antibodies bind to either self antigens (cell surface and ECM) or foreign antigens on cells. Cell death occurs from phagocytosis, NK cell activity or complement-mediated lysis. Pathology occurs when destruction of the tissues leads to illness in the host.
Examples of Type 2 reactions (3)
- Reactions against blood cells and platelets (transfusion reactions, haemolytic disease of the newborn, certain drug reactions)
- Reactions against tissue antigens (Myasthenia Gravis)
- Hyperacute graft rejection (from a few minutes to 48h after transplantation)
Five major blood groups involved in transfusion reactions (5)
- ABO
- Rhesus
- Kell
- Duffy
- MN
ABO blood group reactivities (genotypes, antigens on RBCs and antibodies in serum)
A: AA, AO; A; anti-B
B: BB, BO; B; anti-A
AB: AB, A and B; none
O: OO, H, anti-A & anti-B
Universal donor/recipient
Donor: The RBCs of O donors have no A, B or Rh antigens therefore can be accepted by any person
Recipient: The serum of AB+ patients contain no antibodies to A, B or Rh antigens, therefore they can accept RBC from any person.
Haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDNB):
Erythroblastosis fetalis, occurs when Rh- mother bears an Rh+ child, usually only occurs on second and subsequent pregnancy, antibodies made by pregnant women cross placenta and react with foetal RBCs. Rh+ antigens don’t cross over into the mother in the first birth, but after they are exposed to Rh antigens and develop a sensitisation response. If the mother has a subsequent pregnancy, she has a primed response to the Rh antigens. The maternal antibodies can cross the placenta and lyse the foetal RBCs. To prevent this, the mother can be injected with anti-Rh antibodies after the first birth to eliminate any Rh+ cells and prevent sensitisation.
Type 3 Hypersensitivity
Immune-complex (IC) disease: caused by the deposition of immune (IgG/IgM/Ag complement) complexes in blood vessels and tissues. Under appropriate conditions, IgG and soluble Ag can precipitate, causing large aggreagtes which activate platelets, neutrophils, mast cells and basophils.
Types of Type 3 reactions (route of ag delivery, resulting disease and site of IC deposition)
- Intravenous (high dose): vasculitis, nephritis, arthritis; blood vessel walls. renal glomeruli, joint spaces
- Inhaled: farmer’s lung; alveolar/capillary interface
- Subcutaneous: arthus reaction; perivascular area
Immune complex process
ICs form every time an antibody encounters an antigen. In primates, CR1 receptors (bind C3b) on erythrocytes (RBCs) bind ICs that have fixed complement. ICs bound to RBCs are transported to liver and spleen for removal by fixed tissue macrophages. Larger complex are cleared most efficiently