Immune system

• What cells' activities decrease early on in degranulation and systemic anaphylaxis?


  Mast cell and basophil activities

  
• What immunological mechanisms contribute to tolerance after the induction of $T_{Reg}$ cells?


  • Suppression of Th2-Tht cells

  
• How are tissue mast cells and eosinophils affected after their release of mediators?

  They decrease

  
• What are the consequences of decreased mediators from tissue mast cells and eosinophils?

  • Decrease in the late-phase response

  
• How does Type I skin test reactivity change over time?

  • Early increase followed by a decrease in specific IgE
  • Increase in specific IgG4 and, in some studies, IgA and IgG1

  
• What are the two types of cells that IgE antibodies can bind to?

  • Mast cells
  • Basophils

  
• What are the main components of an autoimmune disease process as shown in the images?

  • Immune system attacks body's own tissues
  • Involvement of plasma cells and antibodies
  • Activation of T-cells
  • Role of macrophages

  
• What type of immune cell produces antibodies in the context of autoimmune disease?

  Plasma cells

  
• What immune cell is responsible for directly attacking the body's own tissues in autoimmune diseases?

  1. cells

  
• What role do macrophages play in autoimmune diseases?

  They phagocytose cellular debris and pathogens

  
• What protein mediates the attack on the body's own tissues in autoimmune diseases?

  Antibodies

  
• How do antibodies contribute to the damage caused by autoimmune diseases?

  • Bind to body's own antigens
  • Trigger inflammation and tissue damage
  • Mediate complement activation

  
• How do antibodies contribute to the destruction of the myelin sheath?

  They bind to the myelin sheath, causing it to be recognized and attacked by the immune system.

  
• What is the role of the myelin sheath in the context of autoimmune diseases?

  It protects nerve fibers, but in autoimmune diseases, it is attacked by the immune system leading to neurological dysfunction.

  
• What can suppress the immune system?

  Different factors can suppress the immune system
• What are some factors that can weaken the immune system?

  • Not having a perfectly functioning immune system
  • Weakening by disease or ageing
  • Inherited disorders affecting disease-fighting ability
  • Infections like HIV suppressing the immune system
• What infection suppresses the immune system?

  HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
• How does HIV affect the immune system?

  It destroys helper T cells, impairing the body’s ability to fight infections like colds and flu
• Besides certain cancers, what can suppress the immune system?

  Cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy
• How does fasting help the immune system during chemotherapy?

  • Fasting could help the immune system regenerate in people undergoing chemotherapy for cancer
• What experimental remedies are claimed to provide an immune boost?

  • Experimental drugs
  • Supplements
  • Smoothies
  • Herbs
  • Teas
• Why are scientists sceptical about certain immune boost remedies?

  Because the evidence is weak and there are financial gains in selling them
• What scientific evidence supports immune system support?

  • Staying healthy, getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, exercising, and avoiding stress
  • Certain vitamins modulate the immune system
• What is vitamin D essential for?

  Bone and mineral homeostasis
• How is the active form of vitamin D produced?

  It is formed in the skin in response to sunlight
• What type of functions does vitamin D affect?

  Immunoregulatory functions that affect cells of the immune system
• What are the effects of vitamin D on IL-2 and IFN-g production?

  • Decreases IL-2 production by dendritic cells
  • Decreases IL-2 and IFN-g production by CD4 T cells
• In what animal models have the protective effects of vitamin D been demonstrated?

  Transplantation, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis
• What are some features of autoimmune diseases?

  • Heterogeneous geographical distribution
  • Increased incidence in more developed countries
  • Disease incidence decreases from Northern to Southern hemisphere
• How is vitamin D related to autoimmune diseases?

  Epidemiologic and genetic associations suggest partly related to vitamin D
• What is multiple sclerosis (MS) and what does it affect?

  • It is a neurological condition
  • Affects the central nervous system (nerves in brain and spinal cord)
  • Immune system mistakenly attacks myelin coating around nerves
• In which commonly used mouse model have the protective effects of vitamin D been demonstrated for MS?

  Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitus (EAE)
• Which foods are responsible for most food allergies?

  Peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish
• What occurs when the immune system mistakes proteins found in food?

  A number of chemicals called histamines are released by mast cells, causing allergic reaction symptoms
• What are the foods that most commonly cause allergic reactions in children?

  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Peanuts
  • Tree nuts
  • Fish
  • Shellfish
• What skin condition is often experienced during infancy by children with food allergies?

  Eczema
• What are the foods that most commonly cause allergic reactions in adults?

  • Peanuts
  • Tree nuts
  • Fruits
  • Fish
  • Shellfish
• Is it known why people develop allergies to food?

  No, it's still unknown why people develop allergies to food
• What are the three types of food allergies based on symptoms and occurrence?

  • IgE-mediated
  • Non-IgE-mediated
  • Mixed IgE and non-IgE-mediated
• What is anaphylaxis?

  A life threatening acute allergic reaction to an antigen to which the body has become hypersensitive