week 10 Flashcards
are autoimmune disease more common in men or women?
women (top 10 causes of death)
how do self tolerance mechanisms work to prevent autoimmune diseases?
immune system is able to differentiate self reactive from non-self reactive lymphocytes and therefore get rid of lymphocytes which recognise self antigens (this causes autoimmune diseases)
name 7 organ specific autoimmune diseases
o Type one diabetes
o Multiple sclerosis
o Crohn’s disease
- Psoriasis
o Graves’ disease
o Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
o Addison’s disease
o Goodpasture’s syndrome
o Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
name 3 systemic autoimmune diseases
o Rheumatoid arthritis
o Scleroderma
o Systemic lupus erythematosus
describe how tissue damage in rhematoid arthritis occurs
antibodies to IgE and citrullinated peptides activate macrophages and promote inflammatory response in the joint
name 3 conventional treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and what they do?
- methotrexate
- sulfasalazine
- hydroxychloroquine
found to improve symptoms and decrease joint damage
name 2 biological treatments for rheumatoid arthritis
- anti- TNF-a inhibitors (infliximab)
- reagent against cell surface molecules (rituximab)
describe the mechanisms of tissue damage involved in systemic Lupus Erythematosus
characterised by high titres of autoantibodies, particularly against nuclear antigens which generate an immune complex mediated inflammation in the kidneys, skin, joints and CV system
name 2 conventional treatment options for reducing the incidence of flares and 1 for treatment of flares in systemic Lupus Erythematosus
reducing incidence of flairs
- methotrexate
- hydroxychloroquine
treatment of flairs
- corticosteroids
name 3 biological treatment options for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- rituximab
- Epratuzumab
- belimumab
describe the mechanisms of tissue damage involved in multiple sclerosis
disease due to nerve cell demyelination
promoted by myelin-specific T cells, which are able to cross the blood-brain-barrier
resultant inflammation triggers magnified response involving macrophages and cytokines
name one conventional treatment for during symptomatic attacks in multiple sclerosis
methylprednisolone
name one conventional treatment for reducing relapse and disease progression in multiple sclerosis
glatiramer acetate
name one biological treatment for multiple sclerosis and describe how it works
natalizumab- prevents immune system cells from exiting the bloodstream to cross the blood-brain-barrier thereby preventing relapse and cognitive decline
describe the mechanism of tissue damage in type one diabetes
participating immune system components include auto-reactive CD4+ T helper cells and CD8+ T cytotoxic cells and also auto-antibody producing B cells
effector T cell recognises peptides from a B cell specific protein and kills the B cell
describe the mechanisms of tissue damage involved in inflammatory bowel disease
there is a role for genetic and environmental factors in disease development but symptoms caused by balance between pro- and anti- inflammatory cytokines
state 2 treatment options for inflammatory bowel disease
surgery- used in ulcerative colitis
drug treatment- immune supression
what is chronic bronchitis?
prolonged inflammation of the bronchial airways which leads to cough and mucus production
what is pleuritis?
inflammation of the pleural membranes- can have many causes influencing pulmonary embolism and viral/ bacterial infections
what is bronchiectasis?
permanent dilation of the bronchi- often equal of insufficiently treated lung disease that develops into pathological pattern of dilated bronchi- heightens susceptibility to further lung infection
describe the pathology of bronchiectasis
Permanent enlargement of the airways. Weakening of the elastic and muscular component of the bronchial walls. Excessive inflammatory response.
name 4 causes of brochiectasis
-cycstic fibrosis
- lung infections (bacterial, TB, viral)
- impaired immune system
- aspergillosis (hypersensitivity to the fungus aspergillius)
describe a method which can be used to diagnose bronchiectasis, what are we looking for?
CT scan
‘tree in bud appearance’- bronchial wall thickening
state treatment options for mild (1), moderate/ persistent (3) and for severe (5) bronchiectasis
mild- airway clearance techniques
moderate/ persistant- inhaled steroid, antibiotics, airway clearance techniques
severe- inhaled steroids, antibiotics, airway clearance techniques, long term oxygen, surgery
describe the inflammatory response involved in pneumonia and what is pneumonia?
pneumonia= inflammation of the alveoli
when infection reaches alveoli- inflammatory response occurs- alveoli fill with fluid, white blood cells, proteins and red blood cells
this leads to compromised gaseous exchange
when does consolidation occur in the lungs?
when the air spaces of the lungs are filled with something other than air
state 3 treatments for pneumonia
mild- moderate= treat infectious agent ie antibiotics
rest, fluids, steam baths
more severe- oxygen therapy
what can inflammatory injury to the alveolar/ capillary barrier cause?
acute respiratory distress syndrome
how does a problem with chloride channels cause cystic fibrosis?
in normal lung Cl- ions to pass out of the cell with sodium ions and water.
In CF lungs, when the CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) is blocked, the chloride ions can’t leave the cellular compartment.
Mucus retention and chronic infection.
state 3 treatment options for cystic fibrosis
- oral antibiotics
- prednisolone
- azithromycin
other than these just symptomatic control really
what is interstitial lung disease?
when the connective tissue of the lung is compromised
interstitium= fluid filled space between cells containing collagen and elastin
name 3 treatment options for interstitial lung disease
- corticosteroids (IV for during exacerbations, oral prednisolone for more manageable times)
- methotrexate
- N-acetylcyctine (mucolytic, modulates inflammation)
what is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?
scarring on lungs- makes breathing more difficult
what kind of cells are present in a patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis ?
influx of fibroblasts, macrophages, myofibroblasts
why would we not use corticosteroids in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?
ineffective- all corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory treatments
name 2 treatments suitable for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- nintedanib
- pirfenidone (oral antifibrotic)
what mab (biological treatment) can be used in interstitial lung disease?
rituximab
what is rituximab effective on?
CD20 on B cells
why is it possible to treat asthma with helminths? (theoretically in mice)
they induce an anti-inflammatory response and so help to relax and prevent airway remodelling in asthma
what actually is a cough?
deep inspiration followed by build up of intra-thoracic pressure against a closed glottis
glottis then opens and rapid expulsion of air- followed by sound