Anti-tumor immunity

Malignant transformation

Failure of regulation of cell division and regulation of "social" behavior of the cells

The uncontrollable proliferation, dissemination to other tissues

Mutations in protoonkogenes and antionkogenes

Mutagens (carcinogens)

- physical (eg various forms of

radiation)

- chemical (eg aromatic hydrocarbons)

- biological (mainly various oncogenic

viruses)

Protoonkogens

promitotic (promoting cell division)

for the malignant transformation is enough

mutation in one copy of the gene protoonkogen

(dominant oncogenes)

Antionkogens

tumor-suppressor genes

regulation of cell cycle

for the malignant transformation should be excluded from

function both copies of the gene (recessive oncogenes)

TP53, RB1

Anti-tumor immune mechanismsHypothesis of immune control

tumor cells normally arise in tissues and are eliminated by T lymphocytes (probably wrong hypothesis)

Defensive immune response

tumor cells are weakly immunogenic

occurs when tumor antigens are presented to T lymphocytes by activated dendritic cells

in defense may be involved: non-specific mechanisms (neutrophilic granulocytes, macrophages, NK cells, interferons) and antigen-specific mechanisms (complement activating antibodies or ADCC, TH1 and TC)

cancer-associated antigens are processed by APC and recognized by T lymphocytes in complex with HLA I. and II. class with providing costimulus signals

predominance of TH1 (IFN TNF)

specific cell-mediated cytotoxic reactivity – TC

activation TH2 → support B lymphocytes→ tumor specific

antibodies (involved in the ADCC)

tumor cells are destroyed by cytotoxic NK cells (low MHC gpI expression on tumor cells)

interferons - antiproliferative, cytotoxic effect on tumor cells - INFγ - DC maturation

Cytotoxic mechanisms of NK cells

Tumor antigens

Antigens specific for tumors (TSA)a) complexes of MHCgp I with abnormal fragments of cellular proteins

- chemically induced tumors

- leukemia with chromosomal translocation

b) complexes of MHC gp with fragments of proteins of oncogenic viruses

- tumors caused by viruses (EBV, SV40, polyomavirus)

c) abnormal forms of glycoproteins

- Sialylation of surface proteins of tumor cells

d) idiotypes of myeloma and lymphoma

- clonotyping TCR and BCR

Antigens associated with tumors (TAA)

- also on normal cells- differences in quantity, time and local expression- auxiliary diagnostic markers

a) onkofetal antigens - on normal embryonic cells and some tumor cells - -fetoprotein (AFP) - hepatom - canceroembryonal antigen (CEA) - colon cancer

b) melanoma antigens - MAGE-1, Melan-A

c) antigen HER2/neu - receptor for epithelial growth factor - mammary carcinoma

d) EPCAM - epithelial adhesion molecule - metastases

e) differentiation antigens of leukemic cells - present on normal cells of leukocytes linage - CALLA -acute lymphoblastic leukemia (CD10 pre-B cells)

Mechanisms of tumors resistance to immune system high variability of tumor cells

low expression of tumor antigens

sialylation

tumor cells do not provide costimulus signals → T lymphocyte anergy

some anticancer substances have a stimulating effect

production of factors inactivating T lymphocytes

expression of FasL → T lymphocyte apoptosis

inhibition of the function or durability dendritic cells (NO, IL-10, TGF-

Tumor immunotherapy

Therapy - surgical removal of tumor - chemotherapy or radiotherapy - immunotherapy

Immunotherapy - induction of anti-tumor immunity, or the use of immune mechanisms to targeting drugs to the tumor site

Immunotherapy using antibodies

Antibodies functions - opsonization - activation of complement - induction of ADCC - carriers of drugs or toxins

1) Monoclonal antibodies- against TAA- mouse and humanised antibodies- imunotoxins, radioimunotoxins- the possibility of damage surrounding tissues- HERCEPIN - Ab against HER2/neu, breast cancer- RITUXIMAB - Ab against CD20, lymphoma

2) Bispecific antibodies- bind a tumor antigen and the T lymphocyte or NK cell- Fc fragment of antibody binds to Fc receptors on phagocytes and NK cells

3) Elimination of tumor cells from the suspension of bone marrow cells using monoclonal antibodies for autologous transplantation

Immunotherapy using cell-mediated mechanisms

1) stimulation of inflammation at the tumor site

2) stimulation of LAK and TIL- isolation of T and NK cells, stimulation by cytokines, and return to the patient- LAK (lymphokine activated killers)- TIL (tumor infiltrating lymphocytes)

3) improving of tumor cells antigenpresenting function- genetic modification of tumor cells - expression of CD80, CD86 - production of IL-2, GM-CSF- modified cells are irradiated and returned to the patient

4) tumor vaccines- in vitro stimulation of TH1 cells and TC with tumor antigens

5) the dendritic cell immunotherapy- in vitro cultivation of monocytes in an appropriate cytokine environment (GM-CSF, IL-4) → transformation into dendritic cells- cultivation of dendritic cells with tumor antigens

6) immunotherapy by donor T lymphocytes- after allogeneic transplantation- causing graft-versus-host disease

7) immunotherapy by immune system products- IL-2 - renal cell carcinoma- IFN - hematoonkology

Transplantation

Transplantation

= transfer of tissue or organ

● autologous - donor = recipient

● syngeneic - genetically identical donor recipient (identical twins)

● allogeneic - genetically nonidentical donor of the same species

● xenogenic - the donor of another species

● implant - artificial tissue compensation

Allogeneic

- differences in donor-recipient MHC gp and secondary histocompatibility Ag

- alloreactivity of T lymphocytes - the risk of rejection and graft-versus-host

- direct detection of alloantigens – recipient T lymphocytes recognize the different MHC gp and non-MHC molecules on donor cells

- indirect recognition of alloantigens - APC absorb different MHC gp from donor cells and present the fragments to T lymphocytes

- CD8+ T cells recognize MHC gp I.

- CD4+ T cells recognize MHC gp II.

Testing before transplantation

Compatibility in the system ABO -risk of hyperacute or accelerated

rejection = formation of Ab against A or B Ag on graft vascular

endothelium)

HLA typing (determining of MHC gp alelic forms) phenotyping and

genotyping by PCR

Cross-match - lymfocytotoxic test - testing preformed Ab

(after blood transfusions, transplantation, repeated childbirth)

Mixed lymphocyte test - testing of alloreactivity T lymphocytes

monitor for reactivity of lymphocytes to allogeneic HLA

HLA typing

a) phenotyping: Evaluation of HLA molecules using typing serumsTyping antiserums = alloantiserums of multipar (created cytotoxic Ab against paternal HLA Ag of their children), serum of patients after repeated blood transfusions, monoclonal Ab

- molecules HLA class I: separated T lymphocytes- molecules HLA class II: separated B lymphocytes

b) genotyping: evaluation of specific allelesDNA typing of HLA class II: DR, DP, DQ by PCR.

Cross-match test

● determination of preformed antibodies

● recipient serum + donor lymphocytes + rabbit complement → if cytotoxic Ab against donor HLA Ag are present in recipient serum (called alloantibodies = Ab activating complement) → lysis of donor lymphocytes. Visualization of dye penetration into lysis cells.

● positive test = the presence of preformed Ab → risk of hyperacute rejection! → contraindication to transplantation

Mixed lymphocyte reaction (MRL)

● determination of alloreactivity T lymphocytes

● mixed donor and recipient lymphocytes → T lymphocytes after recognition allogeneic MHC gp activate and proliferate

One-way MRL

● determination of recipient T lymphocytes reactivity against donor cells

● donor cells treated with chemotherapy or irradiated lose the ability of proliferation

Rejection

Factors:

The genetic difference between donor and recipient, especially in the genes coding for MHC gp (HLA)

Type of tissue / organ - the strongest reactions against vascularized tissues containing much APC (skin)

The activity of the immune system of the recipient - the immunodeficiency recipient has a smaller rejection reaction; immunosuppressive therapy after transplantation – suppression of rejection

Status transplanted organ - the length of ischemia, the method of preservation, traumatization of organ at collection

Hyperacute rejection

● minutes to hours after transplantation● antibodies type of immune response

mechanism:● in recipients blood are present before transplantation preformed or natural Ab (IgM anti-carbohydrate Ag) → Ab + Ag of graft (MHC gp or endothelial Ag) → graft damage by activated complement (lysis of cells)

● the graft endothelium: activation of coagulation factors and platelets, formation thrombi, accumulation of neutrophil granulocytes

prevention:● negat. cross match before transplantation, ABO compatibility

Accelerated rejection

● 3 to 5 days after transplantation

● caused by antibodies that don´t activate complement

● cytotoxic and inflammatory responses activated by antibodies binding to Fc-receptors on phagocytes and NK cells

prevention:● negative cross match before transplantation, ABO compatibility

Acute rejection

● days to weeks after the transplantation or after a lack

of immunosuppressive treatment

● cell-mediated immune response

mechanism:

● recipient TH1 and TC cells response against Ag of graft tissue

● infiltration of lymphocytes, mononuclears, granulocytes

around small vessels → destruction of transplant tissue

Chronic rejection

● from 2 months after transplantation

● the most common cause of graft failure

mechanism is not fully understood:

● non-immunological factors (tissue ischemia) and TH2

responses with production alloantibodies, pathogenetic role

of cytokines and growth factors (TGF β)

● replacement of functional tissue by connective tissue,

endothelial damage →impaired perfusion of graft → gradual

loss of its function

dominating findings: vascular damage

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)

● after bone marrow transplantation

● GVHD also after blood transfusion to immunodeficiency recipients

● T-lymphocytes in the graft bone marrow recognize recipient tissue Ag as foreign (alloreactivity)

Acute GVHD

● days to weeks after the transplantation of stem cells

● damage of liver, skin and intestinal mucosa

● Prevention: appropriate donor selection, T lymphocytes removal from the graft and effective immunosuppression

Chronic GVHD

● months to years after transplantation

● TH2 lymphocytes infiltration of tissues and organs, production

of alloantibodies and production of cytokines → fibrotization

● process like autoimmune disease: vasculitis, scleroderma,

sicca-syndrome

● chronic inflammation of blood vessels, skin, internal organs

and glands, which leads to fibrotization, blood circulation

disorders and loss of function

Graft versus leukemia effect (GVL)

● donor T lymphocytes react against residual

leukemick cells of recipient

● mechanism is consistent with acute GVHD

● associated with a certain degree of GVHD (adverse

reactions)

Immunologic relationship of mother and allogenic fetus

● fetal cells have on the surface alloantigens inherited from his father

Tolerance of fetus by mother allow the following mechanisms:

● the relative isolation of the fetus from maternal immune system(no mixing of blood circulation)

● trophoblast - immune barrier witch protect against mother alloreaktive T lymphocytes - don‘t express classical MHC gp, expresses non-classical HLA-E and HLA-G● depression of TH1 immune mechanisms in pregnancy

Complications in pregnancy: production of anti-RhD antibodies by RhD- mother carrying RhD+ fetus (hemolytic disease of newborns)

Immunopathological reactions

Classification by Coombs and Gell

Immunopathological reactions: immune response, which caused damage to the body (secondary consequence of defense responses against pathogens, inappropriate responses to harmless antigens, autoimmunity)

IV types of immunopathological reactions:

Type I reaction - response based on IgE antibodies

Type II reaction - response based on IgG and IgM antibodies

Type III reaction - response based on the formation of immune complexes

Type IV reaction - cell-mediated response

Immunopathological reaction based on IgG and IgM antibodies (reaction type II)

Cytotoxic antibodies IgG and IgM:● complement activation● ADCC● binding to phagocytes and NK cells Fc receptors

Haemolytic reactions after transfusion of ABO incompatible blood: Binding of antibodies to antigens of erythrocytes → activation of the classical way of complement → cell lysis

Hemolytic disease of newborns:Caused by antibodies against RhD antigen

Autoimmune diseases:

● organ-specific cytotoxic antibodies (antibodies against erythrocytes, neutrophils, thrombocytes, glomerular basement membrane ...)

● blocking or stimulating antibodies Graves - Basedow disease - stimulating antibodies against the TSH receptor Myasthenia gravis - blocking of acetylcholin receptor→ blocking of neuromuscular transmission

Pernicious anemia - blocking of vitamin B12 absorption

Antiphospholipid syndrome - antibodies against fosfolipids

Fertility disorders - antibodies against sperms or oocytes

Immunopathological reactions based on immune complex formation (reaction type III)

● caused by IgG antibodies → bind to antigen → creation of immunecomplexes

● immunocomplexes - bind to Fc receptors on phagocytes - activate complement

● immune complexes (depending on the quantity and structure) are eliminated by phagocytes or stored in tissues

● pathological immunocomplexes response arises when is a large dose of antigen, or antigen in the body remains

● immune complexes are deposited in the kidneys (glomerulonephritis), on the endothelial cells surface (vasculitis) and in synovial joints (arthritis)

Serum sickness

● after therapeutic application of xenogeneic serum

(antiserum to snake venom)

● creation of immune complexes and their storage

in the vessel walls of different organs

● clinical manifestations: urticaria, arthralgia, myalgia

Systemic lupus erythematosus

● antibodies against nuclear antigens, ANA, anti-dsDNA

Farmer's lung

● IgG antibodies against inhaled antigens (molds, pollens)

Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis

Immunopathological delayed-type reaction

(reaction type IV)

● delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH)

● local reaction caused by TH1 cells and monocytes / macrophages

Experimental model (testing of cellular immunity):

● intradermal immunization by antigen → creation of antigen-

specificTH1 cells

● after a few weeks intradermal administration of antigen → creates

local reaction (granuloma) - TH1 cells and macrophages

Tuberculin reaction

Tissue damage in tuberculosis and leprosy

Sarcoidosis

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