Therapeutics Rheumat/Immun Witt – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Unlock answers
question
Rheumatoid Arthritis is what type of Hypersensitivity Reaction?
answer
Type III Immune-Complex Reaction
question
Rheumatoid Factor (RF or RhF)
answer
  • An Autoantibody against the Fc portion of IgG
  • They bind together to form immune complexes which contribute to the disease process
  • Not everyone has detectable RF
question
Pannus
answer
  • The inflamed, proliferating synovium characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis
  • The pannus eventually invades the cartilage and eventually the bone surface, producing erosions of bone and cartilage --> destruction of the joint
question
Pathophysiology of Rheumatoid Arthritis
answer
  • Hyperplasia of synovial membrane
  • Increased vascularity (angiogenesis)
  • Production of enzymes that cause tissue damage
  • Presence of inflammatory cells (CD4+ T-cells, B cells, Macrophages, Neutrophils)
question
What are B-cells' role in Rheumatoid Arthritis?
answer
  • B lymphocytes produce IgG and IgM which become deposited in the tissue
  • This subsequently leads to the activation of the serum complement cascade and the recruitment of the phagocytic arm of the immune response
  • This further exacerbates the inflammation of the synovium, leading to edema, vasodilation, and infiltration by activated T-cells
question
Early and intermediate molecular mediators of inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthriti
answer
  • TNF-;
  • IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-15
  • TGF-;
  • fibroblast growth factor
  • platelet-derived growth factor

;

;

question
What are APCs' role in Rheumatoid Arthritis?
answer
  • Synovial macrophages and dendritic cells further function as antigen presenting cells by expressing MHC II molecules, leading to an established local immune reaction in the tissue
  • Macrophages are stimulated to produce prostaglandins and cytotoxins
question
HLA-DR
answer
  • MHC II
  • An αβ heterodimer, cell surface receptor
  • N-terminal domain forms an alpha-helix that constitutes the exposed part of the binding groove
  • C-terminal cytoplasmic region interacts with the other chain forming a beta-sheet under the binding groove spanning to the cell membrane
  • Constitutes a ligand for the TCR
  • Upregulated in response to signalling
question
Cytokine Signaling Pathways in Rheumatoid Arthritis
answer

Th1 responses lead to stimulation of macrophages

Macrophages produce pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6)

Stimulate the expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells

Increased recruitment of Neutrophils into joints

Neutrophils release elastase and proteases

Degradation of proteoglycans in superficial layer of cartilage

Immune complexes can now precipitate in the superficial layer of collagens and chondrocytes are now exposed

Chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts release matrix metalloproteinases when stimulated by IL-1, TNF-α, or activated CD4+ T-cells

CD4+ T-cells also express osteoprotegerin ligands (RANKL) that stimulate osteoclastogenesis in osteoclasts

Bone destruction

question
Major Prostaglandins Involved in Inflammatory Response
answer
  • PGE2
  • PGF
  • TxA2

 

question
Aspirin: MOA
answer
  • Non-Competitive and Irreversibly acetylates specific serine moieties of COX-1 and COX-2

Result in irreversible inhibition of:

  • TXA2 -- leads to blood-thinning
  • PGI2 -- increased gastric acid secretion
  • PGE2 and PGF2α-- decreased protective mucus lining in stomach and intestine, sodium and water retention

Decreases PGE2 at nerve endings, which normally sensitizes nerve endings to the action of bradykinin, histamine, and other chemical mediators

  • Antipyretic (resets thermoregulatory set point)
  • Inhibits NFKB activation (decreases pro-inflammatory cytokines)
question
Salicylate Poisoning: Symptoms
answer
  • Mild (nausea, vomiting, mental confusion, dizziness, and tinninitus)
  • Severe (restlessness, delirium, respiratory and metabolic acidosis, convulsions, coma, death from respiratory failure)
question
Salicylate Poisoning: Treatment
answer
  • Alkalinize (blood, urine)
  • IV fluids
  • Dialysis
question
Prednisone: MOA
answer
  • Interfere with APCs to T-lymphocytes
  • Inhibit PG and leukotriene synthesis
  • Impair cell migration blunting inflammatory responses
question
Strategies for Inhibition of Cytokine Action
answer

1.  Neutralization of Cytokines

  • Monoclonal antibodies or soluble receptors are targeted against specific cytokines -- prevents their actions

2.  Receptor Blockade

  • Monoclonal antibodies or receptor antagonists are directed against cytokine receptor, thereby preventing their binding and actions

3.  Activation of Anti-Inflammatory Pathways

  • Synthetic anti-inflammatory cytokines are used to suppress the action of inflammatory cytokines
question
Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines
answer
  • TNF
  • IL-1
question
Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines
answer
  • sTNF-R
  • IL-10
  • IL-1ra
question
TNFα
answer
  • Pro-Inflammatory cytokine
  • Key regulator of the inflammatory response
  • Produced mostly by monocytes and macrophages
  • Increases expression of adhesion molecules
  • Implicated in joint damage in RA
  • Potent stimulator of synovial fibroblasts, osteoclasts, and chondrocytes
question
Etanercept: MOA
answer
  • Dimeric fusion protein
  • Consists of the extracellular ligand-binding portion of the p75 TNF receptor -- TNFα recognizes this, binds to it, and becomes inactivated
question
Etanercept: Adverse Effects
answer
Mild-moderate injection site reaction
question
Infliximab: MOA
answer
  • Chimeric mouse-human antibody
  • Directed against TNF-α
  • Binds and inhibits TNF-α from interacting with its receptor
question
Adalimumab: MOA
answer
  • Human-derived antibody
  • Antibody directed against TNF-α
  • Binds and inhibits TNF-α from interacting with its receptor
question
Golimumab: MOA
answer
  • Antibody directed against TNF-α
  • Binds and inhibits TNF-α from interacting with its receptor
question
Infliximab: Adverse Effects
answer
  • Generation of antibodies against infliximab (methotrexate reduces antibody development against infliximab)
  • Local injection-site reaction
question
IL-1
answer
  • Pro-Inflammatory cytokine
  • Produced mostly by monocytes and macrophages
  • Causes release of metalloproteases from fibroblasts and chondrocytes
question
IL-1RA
answer
  • Endogenous IL-1 antagonist
  • Binds to IL-1 receptor, but produces no signal
question
Anakinra: MOA
answer
  • Recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist
  • Effectiveness in RA is limited:

- TNFα may play a more significant role as a cytokine involved in RA

- Anakinra may not reach diseased tissues in sufficient concentrations

- 10-100x excess of IL-1RA is needed to effectively block IL-1

question
Anakinra: Adverse Effects
answer
Infection
question
Rituximab: MOA
answer
  • Chimeric (human-mouse) monoclonal antibody targeted against CD20 B lymphocytes
  • Binding of monoclonal antibody to CD20 generates transmembrane signals --> autophosphorylation and activation of serine/tyrosine protein kinases and induction of c-myc oncogene expression and MHC II molecules
  • Produces complement-mediated cytotoxicity
  • Produced antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity
  • Induces apoptosis
question
CD20
answer
Regulates early steps in the activation process for cell cycle initiation and differentiation of B-cells
question
Rituximab: Adverse Effects
answer
  • Infusion reactions (cytokine release syndrome)
  • Increased incidence of infections
question
Abatacept: MOA
answer
  • Fusion protein composed of the extracellular domain of CTLA-4 and a fragment of the Fc domain of human IgG1
  • Mimics endogenous CTLA-4 and competes with CD28 for CD80 and CD86 binding
  • By blocking the engagement of CD28, Abatacept prevents the delivery of the secondary costimulatory signal that is required for optimal T-cell activation
  • This prevents the release of TNF-α, IL-2, IL-6
question
Abatacept: Adverse Effects
answer
  • Infection
  • Malignancy
question
Tocilizumab: MOA
answer
  • Humanized monoclonal antibody against the IL-6 (CD126) receptor
question
IL-6
answer
  • Pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine
  • Secreted by T-cells and macrophages
  • Role as an anti-inflammatory cytokine is mediated through its inhibitory effects on TNF-α and IL-1, and activation of IL-1ra and IL-10
question
IL-6 Receptor
answer
Mediator of fever and the acute phase inflammatory responses
question
Methotrexate: MOA
answer
  • Competitively inhibits Dihydrofolate Reductase
  • Structurally related to folic acid and acts as an antagonist of that vitamin by inhibiting DHFR
  • Slows erosion in joints
  • Reduces lymphocyte and cytokine levels
question
Methotrexate: Adverse Effects
answer
  • Nausea
  • Mucosal ulcers
  • Dose related hepatotoxicity
  • Folic acid deficiency
question
Fleucovorin: MOA
answer
  • Reduced folate
  • Used to rescue cells exposed to folate antagonists (methotrexate, pyrimethamine, trimethoprim)
question
Leflunomide: MOA
answer
  • Exhibits essentially all of its pharmacologic activity via its primary metabolite A77 1726 (M1)
  • Inhibits Dihyroorotate Dehydrogenase --> inhibits pyrimidine synthesis
  • Suppressed pyrimidine synthesis in T and B lymphocytes interferes with RNA and protein synthesis within the cells, which inhibits B and T-cell proliferation
question
Leflunomide: Adverse Effects
answer
  • Paresthesias
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
  • Hepatotoxicity
  • Hair loss
question
Leflunomide: Interactions
answer
  • Inhibits CYP2C9 which is responsible for NSAID metabolism
  • Can result in NSAID toxicity with concurrent NSAID use
question
Gout Pathophysiology
answer
  • Disease in which high plasma levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia) cause for urate crystals to form in joints --> leading to inflammatory reaction
  • The end product of purine metabolism is uric acid and this is increased in the body through decreased excretion or increased ingestion
  • Most frequently occurs at the metatarsophalangeal joint
question
Complement Cascade Pathway of Gout
answer

Monosodium urate crystals initiate the inflammatory response

Activation of Classic Complement Pathways

Cleavage products (C3a and C5a) are generated

Neutrophil chemoattraction and transmigration to the synovium

Phagocytosis, Degranulation, Free radical generation, Release of proteases

question
Cytokine Pathway of Gout
answer

Monosodium urate crystals initiate the inflammatory response

Synovial macrophages phagocytose crystals

Proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-1, IL-8) are released

Increased expression of adhesion molecules on vessel endothelial cells

Facilitation of Neutrophil adhesion and transmigration

Phagocytosis, Degranulation, Free radical generation, Release of proteases

question
Colchicine: MOA
answer
  • Inhibits microtubule polymerization by binding to tubulin -- this inhibits the migration of neutrophils into the area of inflammation
  • Inhibits synthesis and release of leukotrienes (LTB4)
  • Not an analgesic and does not affect uric acid cleavage
question
LTB4's role in Gout
answer
Neutrophils amplify their own recruitment by releasing leukotriene LTB4 on phagocytized urate crystals, resulting in a positive feedback loop that results in further recruitment of neutrophils
question
Colchicine: Adverse Effects
answer
  • N/V/D
  • Decreases body temp
  • Suppresses the respiratory center
  • Vasomotor stimulation leading to hypertension
  • Kidney failure
  • Myelosuppressive
  • Alopecia
question
Allopurinol: MOA
answer
  • Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitor
  • Blocks the metabolism of hypoxanthine and xanthine to uric acid
  • Metabolite is Oxypurinol and is responsible for pharmacological effects
  • Indirectly inhibits purine biosynthesis by stimulating negative feedback
  • Interferes with metabolism of 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine
  • Dose dependent
question
Reabsorption of Urate is is mediated by:
answer
  • The URAT1 antiport on the apical membrane
  • The OAT antiport on the basolateral membrane
question
When giving a patient a drug that increases uric acid elimination, what is an important to consider?
answer
  • Urate can cystallize and form kidney stones
  • In order to increase solubility of urate, urine must be alkaline
question
Probenecid: MOA
answer
  • Competitively inhibits the active reabsorption of uric acid, via binding to OAT;
  • Prevents uric acid reabsorption to the blood
  • No anti-inflammatory or analgesic activity
question
Sulfinpyrazone: MOA
answer
  • Similar to probenecid
  • Competitively inhibits the active reabsorption of uric acid
  • No anti-inflammatory or analgesic activity
  • Sulfinpyrazone and its metabolite have anti-platelet effects (mediated through inhibition of COX)
question
Sulfinpyrazone: Adverse Effects
answer
  • dyspepsia, epigastric pain, N/V, gastric bleeding
  • CI in peptic ulcer
  • agranulocytosis, anemia, aplastic anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia
Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New