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Questions and Answers
Which autoimmune disease is associated with antibodies targeting the acetylcholine receptor?
Which autoimmune disease is associated with antibodies targeting the acetylcholine receptor?
What is the primary laboratory test used for diagnosing Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE)?
What is the primary laboratory test used for diagnosing Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE)?
Which treatment is commonly used as an anti-inflammatory in autoimmune diseases?
Which treatment is commonly used as an anti-inflammatory in autoimmune diseases?
Which type of hypersensitivity is involved in Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia?
Which type of hypersensitivity is involved in Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia?
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What process involves eliminating most self-reactive T-lymphocytes in the thymus?
What process involves eliminating most self-reactive T-lymphocytes in the thymus?
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Which cytokine inhibitor is used to interfere with IL-2 synthesis in autoimmune disease treatment?
Which cytokine inhibitor is used to interfere with IL-2 synthesis in autoimmune disease treatment?
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In what way can autoimmune diseases be circumstantially diagnosed?
In what way can autoimmune diseases be circumstantially diagnosed?
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Which of these autoimmune diseases is primarily characterized by immune complexes?
Which of these autoimmune diseases is primarily characterized by immune complexes?
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Which drug type is an example of a cytotoxic drug used in autoimmune disease treatment?
Which drug type is an example of a cytotoxic drug used in autoimmune disease treatment?
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What is a common characteristic of familial clustering of autoimmune diseases?
What is a common characteristic of familial clustering of autoimmune diseases?
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What distinguishes autoimmunity from autoimmune disease?
What distinguishes autoimmunity from autoimmune disease?
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Which factors may contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases?
Which factors may contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases?
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Which type of hypersensitivity is associated with autoimmune diseases characterized by the formation of antibodies against cell-surface antigens?
Which type of hypersensitivity is associated with autoimmune diseases characterized by the formation of antibodies against cell-surface antigens?
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What role do immunologically privileged sites play in autoimmunity?
What role do immunologically privileged sites play in autoimmunity?
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What is the significance of HLA-B27 in autoimmune diseases?
What is the significance of HLA-B27 in autoimmune diseases?
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Which immunotherapy approach targets specific cytokines in treating autoimmune diseases?
Which immunotherapy approach targets specific cytokines in treating autoimmune diseases?
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Molecular mimicry can lead to autoimmune reactions. What does this phenomenon involve?
Molecular mimicry can lead to autoimmune reactions. What does this phenomenon involve?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic feature of immunologically privileged sites?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic feature of immunologically privileged sites?
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Which treatment is specifically used as an immunosuppressive therapy for autoimmune diseases?
Which treatment is specifically used as an immunosuppressive therapy for autoimmune diseases?
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What mechanism primarily allows the transfer of autoimmune disease from mother to newborn?
What mechanism primarily allows the transfer of autoimmune disease from mother to newborn?
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Which type of evidence supports the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases through circumstantial proof?
Which type of evidence supports the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases through circumstantial proof?
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Which of the following autoimmune diseases is associated with the basement membrane in lung and kidney tissues?
Which of the following autoimmune diseases is associated with the basement membrane in lung and kidney tissues?
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In the context of autoimmune diseases, what is the role of T-regulatory cells?
In the context of autoimmune diseases, what is the role of T-regulatory cells?
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Which cytokine synthesis inhibitor is used extensively in both autoimmune disease treatment and organ transplant rejection prevention?
Which cytokine synthesis inhibitor is used extensively in both autoimmune disease treatment and organ transplant rejection prevention?
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What is the main characteristic of Type III hypersensitivity in autoimmune diseases?
What is the main characteristic of Type III hypersensitivity in autoimmune diseases?
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Which enzyme is inhibited by azathioprine and cyclophosphamide in the context of autoimmune disease treatment?
Which enzyme is inhibited by azathioprine and cyclophosphamide in the context of autoimmune disease treatment?
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What is a primary factor contributing to the multifactorial etiology of autoimmune diseases?
What is a primary factor contributing to the multifactorial etiology of autoimmune diseases?
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Which statement accurately describes immunologically privileged sites?
Which statement accurately describes immunologically privileged sites?
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What is a likely consequence when antigens from immunologically privileged tissues enter circulation?
What is a likely consequence when antigens from immunologically privileged tissues enter circulation?
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What role does HLA-B27 play in autoimmune conditions?
What role does HLA-B27 play in autoimmune conditions?
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Which immunological mechanism is commonly involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases?
Which immunological mechanism is commonly involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases?
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Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is primarily associated with Type II autoimmune diseases?
Which type of hypersensitivity reaction is primarily associated with Type II autoimmune diseases?
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Which process may contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases through shared antigens?
Which process may contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases through shared antigens?
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What might be an environmental factor that contributes to the risk of developing autoimmune diseases?
What might be an environmental factor that contributes to the risk of developing autoimmune diseases?
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Which treatment type is NOT typically used as immunotherapy for autoimmune diseases?
Which treatment type is NOT typically used as immunotherapy for autoimmune diseases?
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Which autoimmune condition is primarily mentioned in connection with molecular mimicry?
Which autoimmune condition is primarily mentioned in connection with molecular mimicry?
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Study Notes
Autoimmunity and Autoimmune Diseases
- Autoimmunity vs. Autoimmune Disease: Autoimmunity is the presence of self-reactive immune cells, while autoimmune diseases are clinical manifestations of autoimmunity.
Genetic and Environmental Factors in Autoimmune Diseases
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Multifactorial Nature: Most autoimmune diseases result from a complex interplay of multiple genes and environmental triggers. HLA alleles are a significant genetic factor.
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HLA-B27: A strong association exists between HLA-B27 and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This is a key HLA association for diagnostic purposes.
Immunological Mechanisms of Autoimmune Diseases
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Immuno-privileged Sites: Certain tissues (brain, testes, fetus/placenta, eye) are considered "immuno-privileged." These sites often have mechanisms to exclude naïve lymphocytes or secrete immunosuppressive factors (e.g., TGF-β). Breakdown of immune tolerance in these sites can lead to autoimmunity.
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Molecular Mimicry: Antibodies developed against antigens from infectious agents (e.g., strep pyogenes M protein) can cross-react with self-antigens (e.g., myosin in heart valves), leading to autoimmune rheumatic heart disease.
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Types of Hypersensitivity: Autoimmune diseases can be categorized by the type of hypersensitivity reaction involved: Type II (e.g., autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune thrombocytopenia), Type III (e.g., Goodpasture's syndrome), and Type IV (e.g., potential mechanisms not explicitly listed).
Antibody-Mediated Autoimmune Diseases
- Examples of Antibody-Mediated Diseases: These diseases involve antibodies attacking self-antigens, including autoimmune hemolytic anemia (RBC surface antigens), autoimmune thrombocytopenia (platelets), Goodpasture’s syndrome (kidney and lung basement membranes), myasthenia gravis (acetylcholine receptors), Graves' disease (thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor), and systemic lupus erythematosus (diverse self-antigens, including double-stranded DNA).
Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases
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NSAIDS: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen) can be used.
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Immunosuppressive Drugs: These drugs aim to modulate the immune response.
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Anti-inflammatory agents: Alter T-cell and neutrophil activity, lower immune cell numbers, and decrease cytokine production. Examples include corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone) and hydroxychloroquine.
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Cytokine inhibitors: Used to prevent organ transplant rejection. Cyclosporin and tacrolimus interfere with IL-2 synthesis. Rapamycin blocks the IL-2-ILR signal.
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Cytotoxic drugs: Inhibit DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells. Examples include azathioprine, methotrexate, and cyclophosphamide.
Immunological Tolerance
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Central Tolerance: Self-reactive T-cells and B-cells are eliminated during development in the thymus and bone marrow, respectively. Regulatory T cells are also generated in the thymus.
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Peripheral Tolerance: Mechanisms in the periphery fine-tune the immune system to avoid self-reactivity. Anergy (inactivation), T-cell suppression (by regulatory T-cells), and Fas-mediated apoptosis are examples.
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Transmissible Autoimmunity: Direct evidence includes IgG autoantibody transfer across the placenta. Indirect and circumstantial evidence includes animal models, immune cell infiltration, associations with HLA alleles, familial clustering, and response to immunosuppressive treatments.
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Description
Explore the concepts of autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases, including their differences and interrelations. Learn about genetic and environmental factors, as well as key immunological mechanisms involved in these conditions. This quiz will challenge your understanding of the multifactorial nature of autoimmune diseases.
