T1 L17 and 18 Atopy, allergy and DTH Flashcards
What is an allergen?
Substance to which IgE antibodies may be produced
What are the steps of the early phase reaction?
1) Specific antigen binds to IgE
2) Cross-linking of IgE antibodys by allergen causes clustering of FceR1 receptors
3) Intracellular portion of receptor becomes phosphorylated
4) Resulting intracellular cascade leads to cellular activation
5) Mast cell degranulates releasing histamine, tryptase and other pre-formed mediators
Describe the effects of mast cell activation and granule release on the GI tract
Increased fluid secretion
Increased peristalsis
Leading to:
Expulsion of gastrointestinal contents (diarrhoea, vomiting)
Describe the effects of mast cell activation and granule release on the airways
Decreased diameter
Increased mucus secretion
Leading to:
Congestion and blockage of airways (wheezing, coughing, phlegm)
Swelling and mucus secretion in nasal passages
Describe the effects of mast cell activation and granule release on blood vessels
Increased blood flow
Increased permeability
Leading to:
Increased fluid in tissues causing increased flow of lymph to lymph nodes
Increased cells and proteins in tissues
Increased effector response in tissues
Give examples of allergen sources
Pollens
House dust mite faeces
Stinging insect venom
What are the general characteristics of allergens?
Proteins
Physical properties that favour transition across mucus membranes
Biologically active, often enzymes
Have moderate homology with self-proteins
What is anaphylaxis?
Generalised allergic reaction
Systemic release of histamine leads to generalised vasodilation and fluid loss from circulation to tissues
What are some common triggers for anaphylaxis?
Food
Drugs
Insect venom
What are the cardinal features of anaphylaxis?
Typical symptoms Multi-system Dramatic Rapidly follows exposure to antigen Tends to improve fairly quickly
What is oral allergy syndrome?
Most common type of food allergy across UK adults
IgE directed against pollen proteins cross-reacts with homologous proteins in plant-derived food
Exposure to raw fruits, nuts and vegetables causes oral itching
What is rhinitis?
Blockage due to type 1 allergy
Sneezing and rhinorrhoea
What is lower airway obstruction?
Wheeze due to type 1 allergy
What are examples of seasonal allergens?
Pollens
Moulds
What are examples of episodic allergens?
Occupational
Animal dander
Why is tolerance required?
To prevent autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
What is allergic / atopic march?
Progression of disease observed from infancy
Eczema –> food allergy –> rhinitis –> asthma
Allergic disease can present de novo in adults
What would asthma show on biopsy?
Inflammatory infiltrate and airway changes known as re-modelling
Thickened basement membrane
Smooth muscle hyperplasia
What does IL-4 lead to?
Mucus hypersecretion
What does IL-13 lead to?
Bronchial hyper-responsiveness
What does IL-5 lead to?
Eosinophil recruitment
What does IL-9 lead to?
Mast cell recruitment
What is the late phase allergic reaction?
Occurs hours after early phase reaction
What would be shown in a biopsy of late phase allergic reaction?
Infiltration with inflammatory cells:
CD4 T-cells
Eosinophils
Mast cells
What is the evidence that Th2 responses are important in allergy?
IL-4 required for B-cell class switching to IgE
IL-4 and IL-13 promote mucus hypersecretion
IL-5 required for eosinophil survival
IL-9 recruits mast cells
Describe the genetics of asthma
Childhood allergy strongly predicted by presence of allergy in parents
Numerous genetic risk factors identified, none particularly compelling
Allergy epidemic occurred too quickly to be entirely explained by genetics
Describe the hygiene hypothesis
Strachan 1989
Low hygiene levels, high pathogen load and helminth infections proposed for skew immunity from Th2 to Th1 and induce regulatory T-cells
High hygiene levels, low pathogen load and absence of helminth infection proposed for skew immunity towards Th2 and reduce production of regulatory T-cells
What factors contribute to developing countries having less allergies?
Large family size Rural homes, livestock Intestinal microflora are variable and transient Low antibiotic use High helminth burden Poor sanitation, high orofaecal burden