I&D Notes: Autoimmunity

Y1, I&D, IND, infection and defence, I+D, I and D, y1Tcells, Y1Bcells, I&D, y1hypersensitivity: Immunology – Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmunity is when the immune system reacts to self-antigens.
Organ Specific (Type II, IV, V hypersensitivities)
• Hashimoto’s Disease- lymphocytes attack thyroid, causing hypothyroidism
• Myasthenia gravis- block transmission of nerve impulses (autoantibodies
against Ach receptors)
• Grave’s disease- autoantibodies against TSH receptor (Type V)
• Type 1 Diabetes- damages beta cells of Islet of Langerhans (type IV)
Systemic (non-organ specific) (Type III hypersensitivities)
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)- autoantibodies attack
• Rheumatoid Arthritis- rheumatoid factor is deposited in joints, leading to
chronic inflammation due to autoantibodies against rheumatoid factor
Factors of autoimmune diseases:
• Age and gender- older people and women more likely
• Genetic factors- runs in the family
• Infections- EBV, mycoplasma, streptococci, malaria (antigenic mimicry)
• Drugs
Treatment: (alleviate chronic inflammation)
• anti-inflammatory drugs
• immunosuppressive drugs
• depletion of B cells with monoclonal antibodies (rituximab)
• removal of antibodies with plasmapheresis
• hormone replacement therapy (when destruction of an endocrine gland)