Psychology of Stress and Immunity

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Questions and Answers

What occurs during the first exposure to poison ivy?

Sensitization leads to the production of memory helper T cells. (correct)

It results in immediate tissue damage.

The immune system is activated to fight the allergen.

Inflammatory cytokines are produced.

What type of transplant involves a donor and recipient who are identical twins?

Syngeneic (correct)

Autologous

Xenogenic

Allogeneic

Which type of tissue rejection occurs within 3 months and is treatable?

Chronic tissue rejection

Delayed tissue rejection

Acute tissue rejection (correct)

Hyperacute tissue rejection

What characterizes chronic tissue rejection?

It occurs from 4 months on, and is antibody-mediated. Signup and view all the answers

What condition describes the immune response occurring when the host's immune system attacks the graft?

Graft vs. host disease Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of autoimmune diseases?

They trigger an immune response against self. Signup and view all the answers

Which group is most commonly affected by systemic lupus erythematosus?

Women, particularly of Asian and African American descent Signup and view all the answers

What typically triggers exacerbations in systemic lupus erythematosus?

Chronic stressors Signup and view all the answers

What is the main consequence of immunodeficiency?

Increased vulnerability to infections Signup and view all the answers

Which category describes an asymptomatic phase of HIV infection?

Category A Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of CD4 cells in the context of HIV?

They are destroyed by the HIV virus. Signup and view all the answers

Which diagnostic test is known for detecting viral load in HIV patients?

Nucleic acid tests (NAT) Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the relationship between chronic stress and autoimmune diseases?

Chronic stress can trigger exacerbations. Signup and view all the answers

Which lifestyle choice can help develop a strong immune system?

Smoking cessation Signup and view all the answers

What defines primary immunodeficiency disorders?

Result from a defect within the immune system. Signup and view all the answers

What is the initial phase of the general adaptation syndrome?

Alarm stage Signup and view all the answers

Which two key activities does the immune system perform?

Attack and defense Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a nonspecific barrier in the immune system?

Skin Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of interferons in the immune response?

Bind to viral cells and prevent replication Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the inflammatory response?

Facilitate healing and recovery Signup and view all the answers

Which type of hypersensitivity is mediated by IgE antibodies?

Type I hypersensitivity Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the acute phase of the inflammatory response?

Vasodilation and phagocytosis occur Signup and view all the answers

What type of immunity develops specific memory to pathogens over time?

Adaptive immunity Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of Type IV hypersensitivity?

Involvement of T cells in a delayed response Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of memory cells in humoral immunity?

Provide a quicker response to future infections Signup and view all the answers

What can cause an anaphylactic reaction in Type I hypersensitivity?

Massive release of histamines from allergens Signup and view all the answers

How does age affect the immune response?

Higher rates of apoptosis of immune cells Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of chronic inflammation?

Can develop in the presence of resistant organisms Signup and view all the answers

Which protein enhances the activity of antibodies during an immune response?

Complement proteins Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Stress

Stress is a universal physiological response to change, whether positive or negative.
It can negatively impact homeostasis.
Stress is how the body reacts to change.

The Stress Response

The General Adaptation Syndrome includes three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
The Local Adaptation Syndrome confines damage to one area.
The stress response is predictable, but there is individual variability.
Conditioning factors influencing stress response include genetics, age, gender, history, and support.
Some coping strategies minimize the effects of stress, while others cause more problems than benefits.

Effects of Stress

Stress can decrease immune system effectiveness.

Immunity

The body is constantly under assault by microbes.
The immune system regulates and limits itself.
It distinguishes self from nonself through antigens.
The immune system performs two key activities: defense and attack.

Innate Versus Adaptive Immunity: Innate Defenses

Innate defenses are nonspecific and immediate, recognizing nonself but not specific pathogens.
Examples of innate defenses include the skin, mucous membranes, chemicals, and the microbiome.
Innate defenses are not completely impenetrable.
The inflammatory response is a vascular reaction to damage or trauma (triggered by mast cells).
It is nondiscriminatory and follows a specific sequence.
It can be acute or chronic. The acute phase occurs after injury and until the threat is eliminated.
The chronic phase lasts until healing is complete and frequently occurs in the presence of resistant organisms.
Pyrogens are released by bacteria or after exposure to them.
They cause a systemic inflammatory response (fever), which can be life-threatening.
Pyrogens create an unfavorable environment for bacterial proliferation.
Interferons are released from virus-infected cells and bind to uninfected cells, which release an enzyme to prevent viral replication.
Complement proteins are plasma proteins that enhance antibodies.
They are activated by antigens and play a role in the immune and inflammatory responses.

Innate Versus Adaptive Immunity: Adaptive Defenses

Adaptive defenses are specific for organisms, possessing memory that develops over time.
They distinguish self/nonself and between different pathogens.
Cellular immunity destroys the antigen.
Cellular immunity involves T cells, which include regulator cells (helper and suppressor T cells) and effector cells (cytotoxic killer T cells).
T cells are produced in the bone marrow and mature in the thymus.
There are four types of Th (helper) cells.
Cellular immunity targets viruses, cancer, hypersensitivity, and transplant rejection.
Humoral immunity produces antibodies against the antigen.
Humoral immunity involves B cells, which include memory cells and antibody-secreting cells.
Antibodies are produced 72 hours after initial exposure to an antigen.
Memory cells trigger a faster response to the same antigen in the future.
Active and passive acquired immunities are part of humoral immunity.

Innate Versus Adaptive Immunity: Immunity in Infancy

Breastfeeding transmits IgA, granting additional protection to infants.
Vaccinations provide further protection.
Newborns can only respond effectively to protein antigens and have limited immune function.

Innate Versus Adaptive Immunity: Immunity in Adolescence

Hormonal changes during adolescence impact the immune system by affecting B cells and macrophages.
The risk for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases increases.
Immune dimorphism is present, meaning the sexes respond differently to infection and vaccination.
Lower B- and T-cell production occurs, but apoptosis of these cells increases.

Innate Versus Adaptive Immunity: Immunity Across Senescence

Age decreases immune response effectiveness.
Age-related changes are multifactorial.
Comorbidity impacts immunity, and autoimmune disorders are more likely due to misinterpretation of signals flooding the body.

Innate Versus Adaptive Immunity: Altered Immune Response: Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity is an altered immune response.
Type I, II, III, and IV hypersensitivity are identified.
Type 1 hypersensitivity is IgE mediated (immediate) and is local or systemic.
It involves T helpers stimulating B cells to produce IgE.
Type 2 hypersensitivity (cytotoxic hypersensitivity) is immediate and local, targeting individual cells.
IgG or IgM antibodies bind to antigens on individual cells.
Type 3 hypersensitivity (immune complex-mediated) is delayed and is local or systemic.
It involves circulating antigen-antibody complexes.
Type 4 hypersensitivity (delayed hypersensitivity) is delayed (cellular-mediated) and is local or systemic.
T cells are involved; not antibodies.
Antigen presentation results in cytokine release and tissue injury.

Hypersensitivity Continued

IgE is produced by the immune system during a response to an allergen.
IgG and IgM cause cellular destruction and damage to tissues (the immune system attacks its own cells).
Immune complex-mediated hypersensitivity involves antibodies binding to antigens, causing complement activation and anaphylaxis.
T cells (cytotoxic and helper) are white blood cells that mediate Type 4 hypersensitivity.

Type 2 Hypersensitivity

Blood transfusion reactions and erythroblastosis fetalis are examples.

Type 4 Hypersensitivity

Exposure to hapten antigens in poison ivy can lead to contact dermatitis.
The first exposure to poison ivy does not result in a reaction, but it sensitizes helper T cells.
The second exposure re-activates memory helper T cells, resulting in inflammatory cytokines.
Inflammatory cytokines stimulate macrophages and cytotoxic T cells and incite an inflammatory lesion at the site of exposure.
The lesion can persist until the allergen is removed and causes tissue damage.
Transplant Reactions are caused by the immune system's response to donor tissue.
Four types of transplants are recognized: allogeneic, syngeneic, autologous, and xenogenic.
Responses to transplants can include hyperacute rejection, acute rejection, and chronic rejection.
Host vs. graft disease and graft vs. host disease may occur.
Immunosuppression can be used for a lifetime if a match is not found.

Autoimmunity

The immune system cannot recognize itself and mounts an immune response against self-tissues.
The trigger is unclear but affects any tissue.
Known predictors include genetics, female sex, and abnormal stressors.
Often progressive, relapsing-remitting disorders occur.
Diagnosis involves eliminating other possibilities.

Autoimmunity: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

It is a chronic stress-related inflammatory condition affecting connective tissue.
It can be mild or severe.
It is often caused by B cells producing autoantibodies.
Stressors trigger exacerbations.
More common in women, Asians, and African Americans.
It most often harms the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system.

Autoimmunity: Immunodeficiency

Diminished or absent immune response makes individuals vulnerable to opportunistic infections.
It can be acute or chronic.
It can be primary (defect with the immune system) or secondary (caused by an underlying disease or factor).

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that infects CD4 cells and macrophages.
It is transmitted through blood and bodily fluids.
It is not transmitted through saliva.
HIV-1 is the most prevalent strain in the U.S.
The asymptomatic phase allows the virus to reproduce for several years.
As viral load rises, CD4 cells are destroyed, and symptoms increase in severity.
Progression has three potential forms: immunodeficiency, autoimmunity, and neurologic dysfunction.

AIDS Continued

Diagnostic tests determine progression, and high viral load indicates further clinical progression.
NATs detect viral load but are expensive and not routine.
Antigen/antibody tests are often administered with NATs.
Lab-based categorization considers CD4 cell count.
Clinical categorization is based on clinical presentation.

Developing a Strong Immune System

Avoiding over-sanitizing the environment can build immunity.
Smoking cessation and moderate alcohol consumption contribute to a strong immunity.
Exercise supports immune function.
Vaccinations strengthen the immune system.
Increased fluid intake is beneficial.
A well-balanced diet is essential for a strong immune system.
Weight management is critical for immune health.
Adequate sleep is necessary for immune function.
Reducing stress promotes a strong immune system.

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Description

Explore the complex relationship between stress and the immune system in this quiz. Understand the physiological responses, coping strategies, and the impact of stress on homeostasis and immunity. Delve into concepts like General Adaptation Syndrome and the roles of innate and adaptive immunity.