Lecture 32: Autoimmunity

Question 1

Recall the three components of the pathogenesis of the autoimmune disease.

Answer 1

Question 2

What initiates autoimmune disease?

Answer 2

Question 3

Differ between autoimmune response and disease.

Answer 3

Question 4

Autoimmunity results from a ________ autoimmune response with ongoing __________.

Answer 4

Autoimmunity results from a chronic (ongoing) autoimmune response with ongoing tissue damage

Question 5

Recall normal effector mechanisms in response to self antigens

Answer 5

Question 6

Recall classifications of autoimmune diseases.

Answer 6

Question 7

Recall examples of B-cell mediated autoimmunity.

Answer 7

Question 8

Describe Graves Disease

Answer 8

• Thyroid gland essential for regulating metabolism through the production of thyroid hormones
• Classification: organ specific (thyroid gland), B cell mediated
• Autoantibodies bind to the TSH receptor on thyroid cells
• This stimulates the receptor, thus encouraging enhanced production of thyroid hormones
• Hyperthyroidism

Question 9

Recall Myasthenia gravis.

Answer 9

Question 10

Describe SLE.

Question 11

Recall the pathogenesis of SLE.

Question 12

Recall examples of T-cell mediated autoimmunity

Answer 12

• Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM)
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Question 13

Describe IDDM.

Answer 13

• Organ specific, T cell mediated (both CD4 and CD8)
• autoimmune destruction of pancreatic b-cells (insulin producing)
• characterised by infiltration of lymphocytes, weak autoantibody response, T cell reactivity to islet proteins
• gradual loss of insulin secretion, and resultant insulin dependence
• occurs more frequently in people with HLA DR3-DQ2 and DR4-DQ8

Question 14

Recall the Targeted destruction of b-cells in IDDM.

Answer 14

Question 15

Recall the Role of Th1 cytokines and chemokines in DTH reaction

Answer 15

Question 16

Describe MS.

Answer 16

Polygenic degenerative disorder of the CNS that results in episodes of paralysis during formative disease, with chronic paralysis in the latter stages
• CD4 T cells specific for myelin antigens promote an inflammatory response and degrade the myelin sheaths covering nerve axons
• Th1 and Th17 responses are detrimental • Th2 responses associated with remission
• HLA-DR15 and HLA-DQ6 associated with disease

Question 17

Recall the generation of autoreactive antibodies in autoimmunity.

Answer 17

Question 18

Recall the role of infection in the initiation of autoimmune disease.

Answer 18