AUTO IMMUNITY

BY,
DIPAK THIRUVENGADAM
ROLL NO:17
 CONTENTS
• INTRODUCTION
• MECHANISM OF AUTO IMMUNITY
*HIDDEN OR SEQUESTRATED ANTIGENS
*ANTIGEN ALTERATIONS
*CROSS REACTING FOREIGN ANTIGENS
*FORBIDDEN CLONES
*T AND B CELL DEFECTS
• AUTO-IMMUNE DISORDERS
• LAB DIAGNOSIS
 INTRODUCTION
• Auto immunity is a condition when the body produces auto
antibodies and immunologically competent T-lymphocytes against its
own tissues.
• It means “PROTECTION AGAINST SELF” while it leads to
development of “INJURY TO SELF”
• Self Tolerance was originally described by Ehrlich as “HORROR
AUTOTOXICUS”.
• He observed that immunization of a goat with erythrocytes of other
goats, antibodies produced against erythrocytes of other goats but not
 HIDDEN OR SEQUESTRATED
ANTIGENS
• Certain hidden or sequestrated antigens are not recognized as self
antigens
• When these antigens are released into circulation, they may evoke an
immune response.
Eg: 1)As spermatozoa develop only during puberty, the tolerance against
this antigen is not induced during fetal life. Following mumps, virus
damages the basement membrane of seminiferous tubules which leads to
leakage sperms and therefore induce an immune response resulting in
orchiditis
2)Lens or corneal proteins of the eye following infection or trauma
 ANTIGEN ALTERATIONS
• Tissue antigens may be altered by physical, chemical or biological
factors and these new cell surface antigens NEO-ANTIGENS
• These are no longer recognized as ‘self’ and may elicit an immune
response.
• Viruses and other intracellular pathogens may induce alteration of
cell surface antigens leading to autoimmunity.
 CROSS REACTING FOREIGN
ANTIGENS
• Sharing of antigens by different organism is the basis of ‘cross
reacting antigen’ theory.
• Streptococcus and heart muscle share antigenic characteristics
• Nephritogenic strains of streptococci may lead to glomerulonephritis
due to the antigenic sharing.
• Injection of SEMPLE rabies vaccine may elicit an immune response
against sheep brain antigens encephalitis.
 FORBIDDEN CLONES
• Clone of changed or altered lymphocytes arise through
mutation.
• Lack foreign surface antigens, not destroyed
• Because of alteration may recognize host as foreign
• Any clone of cells carrying a pattern reactive against self
antigens is destroyed during embryonic life
FORBIDDEN CLONES .
• Persistence of forbidden clones or development in later life
could lead to auto-immune disease.
 T AND B CELL DEFECTS
• T helper cells facilitate B cell response to antigens while T suppressor
cells inhibit antibody production by B cells.
• Optimal antibody response depends on the balanced activity of T
helper and suppressor cells.
• Enhanced function of T helper cell and decreased function of T
suppressor cell are the causes of auto-immunity.
• Non-specific antibodies are formed in some infectious diseases, such
as anti-human erythrocyte cold antibodies in MYCOPLASMA
PNEUMONIA
 AUTO-IMMUNE DISORDERS OF EYE
• 1.SYMPATHETIC OPHTHALMIA
AUTO IMMUNE DISORDERS OF NERVOUS
SYSTEM
 GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME
• It is a disorder in which the body’s
immune system attacks the peripheral
part of nervous system.
• The first symptoms are various
degrees of weakness and tingling
sensations in the body
• In many instances the symmetrical
weakness and abnormal sensations
spread to the arms and upper body and almost PARALYSIS
 AUTO-IMMUNE DISORDERS OF
SKIN
1.PSORIASIS
 2.BULLOUS PEMPHIGOID

• It is a rare skin condition that contains

large fluid filled blisters.
• They often develop on skin areas
that often flex-Lower abdomen, upper
thighs, forearms and armpits.
 COOMBS TEST
• It was originally devised by Coombs, Mourant and Race for
detection of incomplete Rh antibodies.
 CONTD.
• Two types of coombs test :
1)Direct
2)Indirect
*The only difference between two is the sensitization of erythrocytes
with incomplete antibodies takes place in vivo in direct type whereas in-
vitro in indirect type
*Uses:
1)For detection of anti-Rh antibodies
2)For demonstration of any type of incomplete antibody
eg: Brucellosis
IMMUNOFLORESCENCE
TEST
• DIRECT: SPECIMEN INDIRECT:SPECIMEN
+ +

LABELLED PATIENT SERUM

ANTIBODIES ANTIBODIES

FLUORESCENCE ANTIGEN-ANTIBODY
OBSERVED +
LABELLED ANTIBODIES
FLUORESCENCE POSITIVE
FLUORESCENCE +ve