Autoimmune Diseases Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts from the immunology lecture on autoimmune diseases, including definitions, mechanisms, and specific disorders.

What are autoimmune diseases caused by?

Damage to organs or tissues results from the presence of autoantibody or autoreactive cells.

What is self-tolerance in immunology?

Self-tolerance is the ability of the immune system to prevent an attack on the body's own cells, involving central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms.

What occurs during central tolerance?

Potentially self-reactive T-Cell clones are destroyed as they mature in the thymus, and potentially self-reactive B-Cells are destroyed as they mature in the bone marrow.

What are sequestered antigens?

Autoantigens that are not exposed to the immune system during developmental stages and can trigger autoantibody formation when exposed.

What is molecular mimicry in autoimmunity?

It is the phenomenon where viral or bacterial antigens closely resemble self-antigens, leading to the production of antibodies that react with self-antigens.

What are neoantigens?

Antigens that are altered by chemicals, toxins, or drugs and produced by tumor or cancer cells, resulting in 'new' antigen structures.

Which demographic is more likely to develop autoimmune diseases?

Autoimmune diseases are generally more prevalent in females than in males.

What causes the autoimmune response?

The autoimmune response can be triggered by antigens that do not normally circulate, altered antigen structures, cross-reactive non-self antigens, loss of immunoregulatory function, or deficiencies in T-regulatory cells.

What is Mazthenia Gravis?

A neuromuscular disorder caused by a postsynaptic defect leading to decreased receptors for acetylcholine, characterized by muscle weakness that worsens with activity.

What is Antithyroglobulin Antibody (TgAb)?

An antibody associated with thyroid tissue which can be present in various thyroid disorders but is not diagnostic of a specific condition.

What are the symptoms of Grave’s Disease?

Symptoms include hyperthyroidism, irritability, muscle weakness, sleep disorders, tachycardia, heat intolerance, unintentional weight loss, and eye bulging.

What is the main cause of Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM)?

Deficient insulin production caused by immune destruction of the β cells of the pancreatic islets.

What does pernicious anemia result from?

It results from the inability to secrete Intrinsic Factor, leading to Vitamin B12 deficiency.

What are antinuclear antibodies (ANAs)?

Autoantibodies that target the body's own nuclear material, including DNA and histone proteins.

What is the significance of thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO Abs)?

They are autoantibodies associated with thyroid disorders, particularly Hashimoto's disease and Graves' disease.