Part 7: Tolerance And Autoimmunity

Question 1

What is tolerance?

Answer 1

A state of the immune system usually associated with self-recognition, the immune system does not respond to self antigens”

Question 2

How is tolerance developed?

Answer 2

Developed to self antigens during fetal development and continues to a lesser degree throughout life

Question 3

When does central tolerance occur?

Answer 3

During lymphocyte development

Question 4

What is an example of central tolerance for T cells?

Answer 4

Thymic education when positive/negative selection in thymus results in mature cells

Question 5

What are 3 mechanisms that exist to prevent auto-reactivity of lymphocytes after they leave the thymus/bone marrow?

Answer 5

1. Deletion
2. Anergy
3. Suppression

Question 6

What is deletion of lymphocytes in peripheral tolerance?

Answer 6

Process of killing auto-reactive cells, apoptosis

Question 7

What is anergy of lymphocytes in peripheral tolerance?

Answer 7

Lack of reaction by body’s defense mechanisms to antigens due to inadequate activation of T cells

Question 8

What is suppression of lymphocytes in peripheral tolerance?

Answer 8

A population fo T cells, call T regulatory cells, exists that prevents other T cells from recognizing self-antigens

Question 9

What is autoimmunity?

Answer 9

Immune system reacting to self antigens

Question 10

Autoimmunity is usually characterized by the production of

Answer 10

Autoantibodies