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Questions and Answers
What is the primary action of rapamycin in the context of selective immunosuppression?
What is the primary action of rapamycin in the context of selective immunosuppression?
Which of the following JAK inhibitors primarily targets JAK1 and is used to treat atopic dermatitis?
Which of the following JAK inhibitors primarily targets JAK1 and is used to treat atopic dermatitis?
Which of the following is NOT considered a benefit of the BCG vaccine?
Which of the following is NOT considered a benefit of the BCG vaccine?
Which group of substances is known to activate macrophages in the immune system?
Which group of substances is known to activate macrophages in the immune system?
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Which cytokines are dependent on JAK1 for their signaling pathway?
Which cytokines are dependent on JAK1 for their signaling pathway?
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What is the primary function of immunomodulation?
What is the primary function of immunomodulation?
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Which of the following is an example of non-specific immunosuppression?
Which of the following is an example of non-specific immunosuppression?
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What is the main mechanism of action for alkylating agents in immunosuppression?
What is the main mechanism of action for alkylating agents in immunosuppression?
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What type of immunosuppression does the drug cyclosporine provide?
What type of immunosuppression does the drug cyclosporine provide?
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Which of the following describes the action of corticosteroids?
Which of the following describes the action of corticosteroids?
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Which of these agents is classified as a DNA synthesis inhibitor?
Which of these agents is classified as a DNA synthesis inhibitor?
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What role do calcineurin inhibitors like tacrolimus and cyclosporine play in immune response modulation?
What role do calcineurin inhibitors like tacrolimus and cyclosporine play in immune response modulation?
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Which immunomodulatory agent works by blocking cytokine synthesis and T cell responses?
Which immunomodulatory agent works by blocking cytokine synthesis and T cell responses?
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What is the primary role of mTOR in cellular processes?
What is the primary role of mTOR in cellular processes?
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Which of the following is a treatment for atopic dermatitis that mainly inhibits JAK1?
Which of the following is a treatment for atopic dermatitis that mainly inhibits JAK1?
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Which bacterial product is known to enhance pro-inflammatory cytokine production?
Which bacterial product is known to enhance pro-inflammatory cytokine production?
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Which vitamins are noted for their role in the stimulation of the immune system?
Which vitamins are noted for their role in the stimulation of the immune system?
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What type of signaling does JAK-STAT primarily influence?
What type of signaling does JAK-STAT primarily influence?
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What is the main purpose of immunomodulation?
What is the main purpose of immunomodulation?
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Which of the following agents is classified as a non-specific immunosuppressant?
Which of the following agents is classified as a non-specific immunosuppressant?
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What mechanism do alkylating agents like Cyclophosphamide utilize in immunosuppression?
What mechanism do alkylating agents like Cyclophosphamide utilize in immunosuppression?
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Selective immunosuppression through calcineurin inhibitors primarily inhibits the synthesis of which interleukin?
Selective immunosuppression through calcineurin inhibitors primarily inhibits the synthesis of which interleukin?
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What effect do corticosteroids have on the immune system?
What effect do corticosteroids have on the immune system?
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What characterizes selective immunosuppression?
What characterizes selective immunosuppression?
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Which drug is a cytotoxic agent that blocks the production of tetrahydrofolate?
Which drug is a cytotoxic agent that blocks the production of tetrahydrofolate?
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What is the primary action of radiation in the context of non-specific immunosuppression?
What is the primary action of radiation in the context of non-specific immunosuppression?
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Study Notes
Immunomodulation
- Immunomodulation is the use of agents to either enhance or suppress the immune response.
Learning Objectives
- Define immunomodulation
- Describe different types of immunomodulatory agents
- Discuss immunosuppression (non-specific vs. selective)
- Discuss immunopotentiation
Immunomodulation Detail
- Immunosuppression: Dampening the immune response
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Non-specific immunosuppression
- Radiation: Prevents cell division, damages DNA, and causes cell cycle arrest (G1/S checkpoint)
- Corticosteroids: Stimulates the production of ΙκΒα, which inhibits NF-κB. This blocks cytokine synthesis and T-cell responses, creating anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Corticosteroids also reduce gene transcription and cytokine synthesis.
- Cytotoxic drugs (e.g., alkylating agents like Cyclophosphamide): Cross-link DNA to prevent cell division. Folic acid antagonists (e.g., Methotrexate): Block tetrahydrofolate production, which is necessary for thymidine and purine nucleotide synthesis. DNA synthesis inhibitors (e.g., Azatioprine): Inhibit DNA and RNA synthesis.
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Selective immunosuppression
- Calcineurin inhibitors (Cyclosporine and Tacrolimus): Inhibit IL-2 synthesis by forming complexes with cyclophilin and immunophilin, respectively, blocking calcineurin.
- Rapamycin (Sirolimus): Forms a complex with immunophilin and blocks mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin). mTOR regulates cell metabolism, growth, proliferation, and survival.
- JAK (Janus kinase) inhibitors (Oclacitinib): Inhibits JAK1, used to treat atopic dermatitis. This inhibits IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-13, and IL-31.
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Stimulation of the Immune System
- Bacterial products (Bacille Calmette-Guerin): Source of Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs), TLR stimulation, and cytokine synthesis.
- Complex carbohydrates (Zymosan, Glucans, and Lentinans): Activate macrophages.
- Vitamins (A, D, and E)
- Cytokines (IL-2, recombinant IFNs (α & γ))
BCG Vaccine
- BCG vaccination induces enhanced production of cytokines, such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. This process is associated with epigenetic reprogramming of monocytes and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF and IL-6).
- The effects are accompanied by epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming of myeloid cells in BCG-vaccinated individuals, creating "trained immunity." BCG vaccination can improve the immune response to subsequent viral challenges, leading to enhanced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF, and IL-6) during subsequent viral infections.
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