Transcript Autoimmune Disease: Lupus

Autoimmune Disease:
Lupus
By: Remi Coker and Ashley Robinson
The Immune System
Innate vs. Adaptive Immunity
Cells
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Phagocytes – engulf pathogen, produce
cytokines
B Cell – Ab
T cell – activate B cells
Attack pathogen
Complement
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Clear immune complexes and apoptic cells
Classical – Ag-Ab
Alternative – bacterial polysaccharides
Antibodies
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Neautralize
Opsonize
Activate complement
Cytokines
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Chemokines
Inflammation
Apoptosis
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Programmed Cell death
Immunity – Autoimmunity
What is autoimmunity?
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Recognition of “self” as a
pathogen – invader
Examples: insulin
dependant diabetes, lupus,
rheumatoid arthritis,
multiple sclerosis,
scleroderma
Genetics and the
environment (i.e..
Chemicals, sun exposure)
combine to cause diseases
The Complement Cascade System
“Complement is a part
of the innate immune
system and underlies
one of the main
effector mechanisms
of antibody-mediated
immunity.”
What is Lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of body
and affects each person differently. There are three main types of
lupus:
Systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common form. It's
sometimes called SLE, or just lupus. The word "systemic" means that
the disease can involve many parts of the body such as the heart,
lungs, kidneys, and brain. SLE symptoms can be mild or serious.
Discoid lupus erythematosus mainly affects the skin. A red rash
may appear, or the skin on the face, scalp, or elsewhere may change
color.
Drug-induced lupus is triggered by a few medicines. It's like SLE, but
symptoms are usually milder. Most of the time, the disease goes away
when the medicine is stopped. More men develop drug-induced lupus
because the drugs that cause it, hydralazine and procainamide, are
used to treat heart conditions that are more common in men.
Symptoms of Lupus
Lupus is hard to diagnose and is often mistaken for other diseases giving it
the name the “great imitator”. The signs of lupus differ from person to
person. Some people have just a few signs, while others have more. Some
symptoms include:
Painful or swollen joints
Unusual hair loss (mainly on the scalp)
Unexplained fever
Arthritis
Chest pain with deep breathing
Photosensitivity
Swollen glands
Low blood count
Extreme fatigue
Depression, trouble thinking, and/or
memory problems
Discoid rash (red raised patches)
Seizures
Mouth ulcers
Malar Rash (red butterfly shaped rash
over nose and cheeks)
Causes of Lupus
The cause of lupus is unknown, however researches
believe that the disease is somehow genetically linked and
the disease can be triggered. These triggers include the
your diet, the environment, other infectious diseases, and
stress. When these triggers activate the disease it causes
“flares” and people can experience any of the symptoms of
lupus. Flares can occur for short or extended periods of
time and then go into a remission and not see any
symptoms for a period of time.
Who Gets Lupus?
Anyone can contract lupus, however 9 out of 10 people
with lupus are women. African American, Hispanic, and
Asian women have a higher likelihood of getting lupus.
Also these women have more complicated symptoms
then Caucasian women. Lupus is most common in
women ages 15-44 years old and this causes when
women are able to have children and this causes
scientist to believe that women’s hormones may have
something to do with the disease although men can
contract the disease as well.
Treatments for Lupus
The current treatment for lupus is drug therapies specific to the
symptoms the patient is experiencing. However, some drugs
have side effects and doctor’s are researching new treatments
for lupus. Preventive measures can reduce the risk of flares. For
photosensitive patients, avoidance of excessive sun exposure
and/or the regular application of sun screens will usually prevent
rashes. Regular exercise helps prevent muscle weakness and
fatigue. Immunization protects against specific infections.
Support groups, counseling, talking to family members, friends,
and physicians can help alleviate the effects of stress.
Pharmaceuticals used for lupus symptoms include:
NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs): Aspirin, Motrin, Naprosyn, Arthrotec,
Indocin, Relafen, Tolectin
Acetaminophen: Tylenol
Corticosteroids: Prednisone
Antimalarials: Aralen, Plaquenil
Immunomodulating Drugs: Imuran, Cytoxan
Anticoagulants: Aspirin, Heparin, Coumadin
Bibliography
Web sites:
www.lupus.org
www.hamline.edu/~lupus/
www.aarda.org http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/lupus/shades/index.htm#1
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/rheumatology/lupus.cfm
http://www.muschealth.com/infectious/immune.htm
http://www.uklupus.co.uk/dxlupus.html
Books:
Chapter 5.1: The Immune System
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus by Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman and Susan
Manzi
The Immune System, Peter Parham, Garland Publishers, 2000.
Immunobiology, Charles Janeway and Paul Travers, Garland Publishing,
1999.
Resources
The Ahearn Laboratory, at the Lupus Center of
Excellence is at the cutting edge, trying to
develop a clinical assay to test for lupus.
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Tracking different variations of the disease
The role of complement and apoptosis in
autoimmunity
The Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Institute and
the University of Pittsburgh are also heavily
involved in determining a solution or at least a
proper detection of lupus.
Contact Information
Joseph Ahearn, MD
Lynne Welshons
Biomedical Science Tower S705A
School of Medicine
University of Pittsburgh
412.648.9782
Susan Manzi, MD
Judy Webb
Biomedical Science Tower S721A
School of Medicine
University of Pittsburgh
412.383.8734
V. Emily Stark, MS
Biomedical Science Tower S736A
School of Medicine
University of Pittsburgh
412.648.9685