Lecture 21 - Hypersensitivities Flashcards
Learning Objective 1
List the 4 types of hypersensitivities and the basic mechanisms for each.
- Type 1 - Immediate. Mediated by IgE, mast cells, Th2 cells, and eosinophils.
- Type 2 - Cytotoxic. Mediated by antibody binding to a cell or cell matrix.
- Type 3 - Immune complex. Mediated by IgG binding to soluble antigen and complement fixation.
- Type 4 - Delayed. Mediated by Th1 and Tc cells.
Learning Objective 2
Define Sensitization
The first exposure to an allergen.
Essentially the same thing as a primary immune response, but the immune system is responding inappropriately to an antigen.
Activation of Th2 cells, class switching of B cells to IgE, binding of IgE to Fc epsilon receptors on mast cells.
True or False
Mast cells produce IgE
FALSE
IgE is produced by B cells. The secreted IgE attaches to the Fc epsilon receptor of the mast cell.
Where is most of the IgE in the body found?
Attached to mast cells at mucosal surfaces.
True or False
A mast cell can have more than one type of IgE attached to it.
TRUE
List a few common allergens
Drugs
Venoms
Foods
Animal hair
Pollen
SO MANY ALLERGENS
List a few factors that make a molecule a good allergen.
- Protein with carbohydrate side chains
- Enzymatically active (often proteases, allowing penetration through the mucosa)
- Highly soluble
- Low doses over time (favors IL4 production)
- Stable
- Peptides that can be presented on MHC2
- Can cross-link IgE receptors
Learning Objective 3
Explain the important factors responsible for IgE production, e.g. type of antigen, location in the body, antigen presenting cell, Th cell, B cell, cytokines.
Allergens in general and parasites stimulate IgE production. Antigens typically enter on mucosal surfaces and are detected by a B cell, a macrophage, or a dendritic cell.
IL4 secreted from APCs influences naive T cells to class switch to Th2 cells.
Th2 cells release IL4, IL5, IL10, and IL13 to influence B cells to class-switch to IgE.
IgE has a high affinity for Fc epsilon receptors on mast cells, so most of the IgE in the body is located on mast cells.
What are the signature Th2 cytokines?
IL4
IL5
IL10
IL13
Does IgE fix complement?
NO
IgE binds to the Fc epsilon receptor on mast cells. IgE will only bind to this receptor if it has not bound to an antigen.
This is different than IgG, which will only fix complement if it has bound to an antigen.
Learning Objective 4
List the cell responsible for the early phase Type I reaction and special features about that cell (eg Fcε receptors).
Mast cell
Located along mucosal surfaces.
Possessed Fc epsilon RI receptor. This receptor has a high affinity for IgE that is not bound to antigen.
What is the half-life of IgE in the serum?
2-3 days
Recall that IgG has a half-life of 21 days in the serum. IgE has such a shorter time in the serum because it quickly becomes bound to mast cells on mucosal surfaces.
List some factors that can cause mast cell degranulation.
Physical stimuli
Complement anaphylatoxins (C3a, C5a)
Cross-linking of antigen with IgE and Fc epsilon RI receptor.
List the timing for waves of mast cell mediator release
Seconds
Minutes
Hours
List the mast cell mediators released seconds after a mast cell is activated
Molecules stored in mast cell granules (do not need to be manufactured)
- Toxic mediators - histamine, serotonin, heparin
- Toxic to parasites. Cause increased vascular permeability, bronchus contraction.
- Enzymes - trypsin, proteases
- Remodel connective tissue, cause pruritis
- Chemotactic factors
- Cause influx of eosinophils and neutrophils
List the mast cell mediators released minutes after mast cell activation.
Arachidonic acid metabolites and platelet activating factor (PAF)
- Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, PAF are more potent than histamine.
- Smooth muscle contraction (bronchoconstriction)
- Increased vascular permeability
- Chemotactic for Th2 cells, eosinophils, basophils