Cellular Immune Response & Hypersensitivity

Terry Kotrla, MS, MT(ASCP)BB Fall 2007

The Cellular Immune Response

Important

defense mechanism against:

viral infections, some fungal infections, parasitic disease and against some bacteria, particularly those inside cells.

The Cellular Immune Response

Responsible

for :

delayed hypersensitivity, transplant rejection and possibly tumor surveillance.

Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) of T cell Lymphocytes attacking a cancer cell.

The Cellular Immune Response

This

branch of the immune system depends on the presence of thymus-derived lymphocytes (T lymphocytes). Initiated by the binding of the antigen with an antigen receptor on the surface of the sensitized T lymphocyte. Causes stimulation of the T lymphocyte into differentiation into two main groups of cells.

T Lymphocytes
Helper

and suppressor T cells that regulate the intensity of the body's immune response. T cells capable of direct interaction with the antigen. This group can be divided further. T cells which, on contact with the specific antigen, liberate substances called lymphokines. Cytotoxic T cells which directly attack antigen on the surface of foreign cells.

Lymphokines
A

mixed group of proteins. Macrophages are probably the primary target cells.
Some lymphokines will aggregate macrophages at the site of the infection, others activate macrophages, inducing them to phagocytose and destroy foreign antigens more vigorously.

Lymphokines
Attract

neutrophils and monocytes to the site of infection. The end result of their combined action is an amplification of the local inflammatory reaction with recruitment of circulating cells of the immune system

Lymphokines
Contact

between antigen and specific sensitized T lymphocytes is necessary to cause release of lymphokines. Once released the lymphokine action is not antigen specific; for example, an immune reaction to the tubercle bacillus may protect an animal against simultaneous challenge by brucella organisms.

Cytotoxic T cells
Attach

directly to the target cell via specific receptors. The target cell is lysed; The cytotoxic cell is not destroyed and may move on and kill additional targets.

Natural Killer Cell

At least two types of lymphocytes are killer cells -cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells. To attack, cytotoxic T cells need to recognize a specific antigen, whereas natural killer or NK cells do not. Both types contain granules filled with potent chemicals, and both types kill on contact. The killer binds to its target, aims its weapons, and delivers a burst of lethal chemicals.

Control of the Immune Response

Genetic

control

Rabbits usually produce high levels of antibodies to soluble proteins, while mice respond poorly to such antigens. Within a species it has been found that some genetic types are good antibody producers, while others are poor Termed responders and non-responders.

Cellular control

Specific immune response is classically divided into two branches, antibody medicated immunity of B lymphocytes and cell mediated immunity of T lymphocytes. T cells play an important role in regulating the production of antibodies by B cells. Helper T cell - upon interaction with an antigenic molecule they release substances which help B lymphocytes to produce antibodies against this antigen. Suppressor T cell are thought to "turn off" B cells so that they can no longer cooperate with normal T cells to induce an immune response. Normal immune response probably represents a very fine balance between the action of helper and suppressor T cells.

Hypersensitivity Reactions
When the immune system "goes wrong" Hypersensitivity denotes a state of increased reactivity of the host to an antigen and implies that the reaction is damaging to the host.

The individual must first have become sensitized by previous exposure to the antigen. On second and subsequent exposures, symptoms and signs of a hypersensitivity state can occur immediately or be delayed until several days later.

Immediate hypersensitivity refers to antibody mediated reactions, while delayed hypersensitivity

refers to cell mediated immunity.

Four Classifications
I (Immediate) Hypersensitivity Type II (cytotoxic) hypersensitivity Type III (immune complex mediated) hypersensitivity Type IV (delayed) hypersensitivity
Type

Type I (Immediate) Hypersensitivity

Reactions range from mild manifestations associated with food allergies to life-threatening anaphylactic shock.
Atopic allergies include hay fever, asthma, food allergies and eczema. Exposure to allergens can be through inhalation, absorption from the digestive tract or direct skin contact. Extent of allergic response related to port of entry, IE, bee sting introduces allergen directly into the circulation. Caused by inappropriate IgE production

This antibody has an affinity for mast cells or basophils.

Type I (Immediate) Hypersensitivity

When

IgE meets its specific allergen it causes the mast cell to discharge its contents of vasoactive substances into the circulation. This release leads to symptoms of:
sneezing, runny noses, red watery eyes and wheezing.

Symptoms The most

subside when allergen is gone. common immunological abnormality seen in medical practice.

Doctors sometimes use skin tests to diagnose allergies. The

reactions shown here demonstrate allergic response.

Type I (Immediate) Hypersensitivity

Anaphylactic shock is the most serious and fortunately

the rarest form of this Type I hypersensitivity. Symptoms are directly related to the massive release of vasoactive substances leading to fall in blood pressure, shock, difficulty in breathing and even death. It can be due to the following:
Horse gamma globulin given to patients who are sensitized to horse protein. Injection of a drug that is capable of acting as a hapten into a patient who is sensitive, ie, penicillin. Following a wasp or bee sting in highly sensitive individuals. Foods peanuts, shellfish, etc.

Type I (Immediate) Hypersensitivity

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis

Epipen

Type II (cytotoxic) Hypersensitivity

Manifested

by the production of IgG or IgM antibodies which are capable of destroying cells surface molecules or tissue components. Binding of antigen and antibody result in the activation of complement and destruction of cell to which the antigen is bound. Well known common example of this type of hypersensitivity is the transfusion reaction due to ABO incompatibility.

Type II (cytotoxic) Hypersensitivity

In

addition to hemolytic reaction to blood the following types of reactions are included in this category:
Non-hemolytic reaction to platelets and plasma constituents. Immune hemolytic anemias Hemolytic disease of the newborn Anaphylactic reactions

Peripheral Smear

Type II (cytotoxic) Hypersensitivity

Type II (cytotoxic) Hypersensitivity

Some

individuals make antibody which cross reacts with self antigens found in both the lung and kidney.
Goodpasture syndrome associated with symptoms of both hemoptysis and hematuria.

Some

drugs may act as haptens, attach to the RBC membrane causing antibodies to be formed that react with the penicillin and lead to red cell damage and even hemolysis of the coated cells.

Type III (immune complex mediated) Hypersensitivity

Antibody produced in response to exposure to antigen, forms immune complexes of antigen and antibody which may circulate. Complexes cause no symptoms, quickly disappear from the circulation. In some individuals the immune complexes persist in circulation causing clinical symptoms, some of them serious. Size of complexes produced seems important in determining whether they will be eliminated quickly from the body or retained long enough to cause damage. Classical clinical symptoms of immune complex disease are due to blood vessel involvement, i.e., vasculitis. Blood vessels of joints and the kidney are most frequently affected, giving rise to symptoms of arthritis and glomerulonephritis.

Type III (immune complex mediated) Hypersensitivity

Mechanisms are as follows:

Soluble immune complexes which contain a greater proportion of antigen than antibody penetrate blood vessels and lodge on the basement membrane At the basement membrane site, these complexes activate the complement cascade. During complement activation, certain products of the cascade are produced,`attract neutrophils to the area. Such substances are known as Once the polymorphs reach the basement membrane they release their granules, which contain lysosomal enzymes which are damaging to the blood vessel. This total process leads to the condition recognized histologically as vasculitis. When it occurs locally (in the skin) it is known as an Arthus Reaction, when it occurs systemically as a result of circulating immune complexes it is know as serum sickness.

chemotactic substances.

Type III (immune complex mediated) Hypersensitivity

Type III (immune complex mediated) Hypersensitivity

Chronic

immune complex diseases are naturally occurring diseases caused by deposits of immune complex and complement in the tissues.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Acute glomerulonephritis Rheumatic fever Rheumatoid arthritis

Type IV (delayed) Hypersensitivity

Used

to describe the signs and symptoms associated with a cell mediated immune response. Results from reactions involving T lymphocytes. Koch Phenomenon caused by injection of tuberculoprotein (PPD test) intradermally resulting in an area of induration of 5 mm or more in diameter and surrounded by erythema within 48 hours is a positive.

Positive TB Test

Type IV (delayed) Hypersensitivity

Characteristics of this phenomenon are:

Delayed, taking 12 hours to develop. Causes accumulation of lymphs and macrophages. Reaction is not mediated by histamine. Antibodies are not involved in the reaction.

Cell mediated reactions in certain circumstances are wholly damaging and may be seen in the following conditions:
Drug allergy and allergic response to insect bites and stings. Contact dermatitis. Rejection of grafts. Autoimmune disease.

Type IV (delayed) Hypersensitivity

Type IV (delayed) Hypersensitivity

Summary

Immunoglobulin Deficiency Diseases

Primary
Acquired

immunodeficiency syndrome Secondary immunodeficiency syndrome

Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Primary immunodeficiency syndrome

Due

to a primary hereditary condition the cellular, humoral or both immune mechanisms are deficient. At one extreme there may be agammaglobulinemia or dysgammaglobulinemia in which one or several immunoglobulins are absent because of B cell deficiency. Thymic dysplasia will result in a T cell deficiency. Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome involves combined deficiencies.

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome

Condition with variable expression, but commonly includes immunoglobulin M (IgM) deficiency. Always causes persistent thrombocytopenia and, in its complete form, also causes small platelets, atopy, cellular and humoral immunodeficiency, and an increased risk of autoimmune disease and hematologic malignancy. In one study of 154 patients with WAS, only 30% had a classic presentation with thrombocytopenia, small platelets, eczema, and immunodeficiency; although 84% had clinical signs and symptoms of thrombocytopenia, 20% had only hematologic abnormalities, 5% had only infectious manifestations, and none had eczema exclusively. WAS is an X-linked recessive genetic condition; therefore, this disorder is found almost exclusively in boys. WAS has been the focus of intense molecular biology research, which recently led to the isolation of the affected gene product.

Secondary Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Results from involvement of the immunogenetic system in the course of another disease. Tumors of the lymphoid system. Hematologic disorders involving phagocytes. Protein losing conditions like the nephrotic syndrome. Other mechanisms occur which are not well understood which affect patients with diabetes mellitus and renal failure. Drugs and irradiation for cancer therapy may affect immunologic functions. Many drugs used therapeutically as immunosuppressive particularly after transplant surgery.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

A

condition in which T cell dysfunction results from a viral agent. Loss of T cell activity renders the patient susceptible to a wide variety of rare or unusual infections.

The Immune Response, Functional Aspects

Recognition

Processing
Production

Recognition
An

individual does not generally produce antibodies to antigens regarded as "self". The system must have a memory so that the same antigen can be recognized after re-exposure. Lymphocytes are the recognition cells which initiate the immune response.

Processing
Subsequent

to recognition as foreign, an antigen's determinants must be processed in such a way that a specific antibody can be produced. Macrophages are believed to perform this function because they ingest the antigen.

Production
The

final phase of the immune response is the production of antibody. This manufacturing system must be regulated in some way so that the immune response can be discontinued when the antigen stimulation is withdrawn

Terms Used to Describe Immunity

Active

immunity - two types

Naturally from disease Artificially such as from injection or purposeful exposure to antigen, i.e., measles.
Passive

antibody protection produced by another.

immunity involves receiving antibody or

Naturally such as the transfer of maternal antibody across the placenta to the fetus or by colostrum. Artificially such as Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (also known as gamma globulin) given after exposure to Hepatitis B.

References
http://www.thebody.com/nih/immune_system.html http://pathmicro.med.sc.edu/ghaffar/hyper00.htm http://home.kku.ac.th/acamed/kanchana/bsi.html