Module 3: Topic 2: Inappropriate Immune Responses Flashcards
What is an inappropriate immune response?
- Autoimmunity
- Alloimmunity
- Allergy
- Immune Deficiency
What is autoimmunity?
Misdirected responses against the host’s own tissues
What is alloimmunity?
(aka isoimmunity)
Directed responses against beneficial foreign tissues, such as transfusions or transplants
What is an allergy?
Exaggerated responses against environmental antigens
What is an immune deficiency?
Insufficient responses to protect the host.
What are inappropriate immune responses also known as?
Hypersensitivity reactions.
Briefly list and describe types of hypersnsitivity:
- Type I → IgE mediated allergic reaction
- Type II → Tissue specific reaction
- Type II → Immune complex-mediated reaction
- Type IV → Cell medieated
- Rarely associated w/ single disease
List examples of Type I hypersensitivities:
Anaphylaxis
Rhinitis
Urticaria
Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis)
Are hypersensitivity reactions immediate or delayed?
Both
Immediate: developing within minutes to a few hours
Delayed: developing within several hours or days
Discuss Type I hypersensitivities
- Type I (IgE-mediated)
- Occur within minutes of exposure
- Reactions are mediated through the binding of IgE to Fc receptors on mast cells and cross-linking of IgE by antigens that bind to the Fab portions of IgE.
- Cross- linking causes mast cell degranulation and the release of histamine (the most potent mediator) and other inflammatory substances.
Atopic Individual
Individuals that are genetically predisposed to develop allergies, particularly type I allergies.
Atopic individuals tend to produce higher quantities of
IgE and to have more Fc receptors for IgE on their mast cells.
The airways and the skin of atopic individuals are also more
responsive to a wide variety of both specific and nonspecific
stimuli than are the airways and skin of individuals who are
not atopic.
Describe Type I hypersensitivity process
Exposure to antigen
- Production of IgE
- Initiate degranulation of mast cells
- Histamine enhances the chemotaxis of eosinophils into sites of type I allergic reactions.
- Histamine 1 receptors (pro-inflammatory) cause vasodilation, bronchoconstriction, increased permeability
- Histamine 2 receptors (anti-inflammatory) increase gastric secretion and decrease release of histamine from mast cells and basophils
- Primary control of process in autonomic nervous system mediators
- Atopic individuals tend to produce higher quantities of IgE and to have more Fc receptors for IgE on their mast cells
Type I Mediators
Complement
- release of histamine, inflammatory response, leukocytosis, secondary release of cytokines
Acetylcholine
- bronchial smooth muscle contraction, dilation of small blood vessels
Slow-reacting substances of anaphylaxis
- Leukotrienes, prostaglandins (same as histamine & acetylcholine
Kinins
- require enzymatic activation
- vasodilatation, smooth muscle contraction, leukocyte chemotaxis, vascular permeability
Eosinophil chemotactic factor
- peptides released from mast cells & basophils after binding of surface IgE to allergen
- Chemotaxis of leukocytes & eosinophils
Clinical signs of Type I hypersensitivity
- GI: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain {milk allergy}
- Skin: urticaria or hives, conjunctivitis, flushing, pruritus
- Respiratory: rhinitis, asthma, obstruction of lumen, edema, increased secretions, hyperplasia.
What is RIST?
Radio-immuno-sorvent Test
Tests circulating levels of IgE
What is RAST?
Radio-allergo-sorbent Test
Tests for circulating levels of antigen-specific IgE antibodies
Which is more specific: RIST or RAST?
RAST - checks for circulating levels of antigen-specific IgE antibodies.
What is desensitization?
Method to induce production of blocking antibody.
List common Type I hypersensitivities manifestations/diseases
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Food allergies - 90% egg, peanut, milk, fish, soy and wheat
Describe Type II Hypersensitivities
Type II (tissue-specific) reactions are caused by five possible mechanisms:
- complement- mediated lysis (example: hemolytic anemia)
- opsonization and phagocytosis; (example: RBCs in Rh system)
- neutrophil-mediated tissue damage;
- antibody- dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity;
- Does not destroy by causes cells to malfunction
- Example: ¡Graves disease antibody activated receptors on cytotoxic cells which are not antigen specific stimulate T4 production despite decrease in TSH
- and modulation of cellular function.
Some Drugs: drug binds to RBC or WBC with ADCC and cell lysis