Immune conditions and drugs

Glucocorticoids

Anti-inflammatory immunosuppressive drugs that kill T cells with examples including prednisone and methylprednisone

Cytotoxic Drugs

Immunosuppressive drugs that block cell division nonspecifically with examples including cyclophosphamide and azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil and brequinar sodium and leflunomide

Cyclosporine

Immunosuppressive drug that specifically blocks T cell responses with example being cyclosporine

Lymphocyte-Depleting Therapies

Immunosuppressive treatments that kill T cells nonspecifically or kill activated T cells or inhibit IL-2 reception with examples including antilymphocyte globulin and monoclonal antibodies

Which drug class includes prednisone and methylprednisone?

Glucocorticoids

Which drug class includes cyclophosphamide and azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil and brequinar sodium and leflunomide?

Cytotoxic drugs

Which drug class includes antilymphocyte globulin and monoclonal antibodies?

Lymphocyte-depleting therapies

Which immunosuppressive drug class acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and directly kills T cells?

Glucocorticoids

Which immunosuppressive drug class works by nonspecifically blocking cell division?

Cytotoxic drugs

Which immunosuppressive drug works specifically by blocking T cell responses?

Cyclosporine

Which immunosuppressive therapy works by killing T cells nonspecifically or killing activated T cells or inhibiting IL-2 reception?

Lymphocyte-depleting therapies

Autoimmune Disease Causes

Theories explaining these conditions include T cells encountering hidden self-antigens or molecular mimicry from cross-reactive pathogens or failure of normal immune control

Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

Condition caused by autoantibodies targeting self red blood cells that affects red blood cells and results in severe anemia

Type I Diabetes

Condition caused by autoantibodies or T cells attacking pancreatic endocrine organs that affects the pancreas and causes an inability to produce insulin

Graves' Disease

Condition caused by autoantibodies binding and stimulating the thyroid gland that affects the thyroid gland and results in hyperthyroidism

Multiple Sclerosis

Condition caused by cytotoxic T cells attacking the myelin sheath around nerves that affects nervous tissue and leads to deficits in vision and speech and neuromuscular function

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Condition caused by autoantibody complexes attacking connective tissue that affects joints causing distortion and loss of range of motion

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Condition caused by autoantibodies targeting nuclear antigens like double-stranded DNA that affects multiple organ systems and produces a butterfly rash

Primary Immunodeficiency

Immune deficiency caused by a genetic or developmental defect present at birth or developing in early childhood with examples including SCID and DiGeorge syndrome and Bruton-type agammaglobulinemia

Secondary or Acquired Immunodeficiency

Immune deficiency caused by external environmental factors like severe stress or malnutrition or HIV infection that develops later in life

What is the cause and target of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Caused by autoantibody complexes attacking connective tissue affecting joints and causing joint distortion

What is the cause and target of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?

Caused by autoantibodies against nuclear antigens such as double-stranded DNA affecting multiple organ systems and causing a butterfly rash

How do primary and secondary immunodeficiencies differ in cause and onset?

Primary immunodeficiencies result from genetic or developmental defects appearing in infants while secondary immunodeficiencies develop later in life from external causes like malnutrition or HIV

Are autoimmune diseases classified as primary or secondary immunodeficiencies?

Autoimmune diseases stem from a breakdown in self-tolerance while immunodeficiencies are classified as primary if genetic or secondary if acquired

Which immunodeficiencies are classified as primary genetic defects?

Chronic granulomatous disease and severe combined immunodeficiency or SCID and DiGeorge syndrome and Bruton-type agammaglobulinemia

Which immunodeficiencies are classified as secondary or acquired conditions?

Deficiencies caused by severe stress or malnutrition or HIV destroying Helper T cells to cause AIDS