Abnormal Immune Function

degranulate

(Hay fever) When pollen grains cross link adjacent antibody molecules, this induces the mast cell to ---, that is, to release histamine and other inflammatory agents from vesicules called granules.

antibody

(Hay fever) When pollen grains enter the body, they attach to the antigen-binding sites of mast cell-associated IgE, cross-linking adjacent --- molecules.

multiple sclerosis

--- --- is the most common chronic neurological disease in developed countries.

rheumatoid arthritis

--- ---, an antibody-mediated autoimmune disease, leads to damage and painful inflammation of the cartilage and bone joints.

allergies

--- are hypersensitive (exaggerated) responses to certain environmental antigens, called allergens.

Histamine

--- causes dilation and increased permeability of small blood vessels. These inflammatory events lead to typical allergy symptoms: sneezing, runny nose, tearing eyes, and smooth muscle contractions that can result in breathing difficulty.

degranulation, blood pressure

Anaphylactic shock occurs when widespread mast cell --- triggers abrupt dilation of peripheral blood vessels, causing a precipitous drop in --- ---.

receptors

Antihistamines diminish allergy symptoms by blocking --- for histamine.

SCID

For one type of ---, caused by deficiency of the enzyme adenosine deaminase (ADA), medical scientists have been working to develop a gene therapy in which the individual's own cells are removed, provided with a functional ADA gene, and returned to the body.

bone marrow

For people with the genetic disease SCID, long-term survival usually requires a --- --- transplant that will continue to supply functional lymphocytes.

connective tissues

Hay fever occurs when plasma cells secrete IgE specific for pollen allergens. Some of the IgE antibodies attach by their tails to mast cells present in --- ---, without binding to the pollen.

endocrine

Healthy immune function appears to depend on both the --- system and the nervous systems.

MHC allele

Healthy people have lymphocytes with the capacity to react against self. However these cells are prevented from inducing autoimmune reactions by a number of regulatory mechanisms. One intriguing finding is that the inheritance of a particular --- --- is associated with susceptibility to certain autoimmune diseases, such as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

adrenal

Hormones secreted by the --- glands during stress affect the numbers of white blood cells and may suppress the immune system in other ways.

pancreas

In insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, the insulin-producing beta cells of the --- are the targets of autoimmune cell-mediated responses.

T cells, myelin

In multiple sclerosis, --- --- reactive against --- infiltrate the central nervous system and destroy the myelin of neurons. People with MS experience a number of neurological abnormalities.

immunodeficiency

In severe combined --- (SCID), both branches of the immune system fail to function.

lupus

In systemic --- erythematosus, the immune system generates antibodies (known as autoantibodies) against all sorts of self molecules, even histones and DNA released by the normal breakdown of body cells. This condition is characterized by skin rashes, fever, arthritis, and kidney dysfunction.

cell-mediated

Many inborn immunodeficiency diseases affect the function of either humoral or --- - --- immune defenses.

parasitic worms

One hypothesis to explain the origin of allergies is that they are evolutionary remnants of the immune system's response to --- ----.

lymphocytes, thymus

Physiological evidence points to an immune system-nervous system link: Receptors for neurotransmitters have been discovered on the surfaces of ---, and a network of nerve fibers penetrates deep into the ---.

neurotransmitters

Some --- secreted when we are relaxed and happy may enhance immunity.

epinephrine

Some individuals with severe hypersensitivities carry syringes containing the hormone ---, which counteracts the allergic response which leads to anaphylactic shock.

autoimmune

Sometimes the immune system loses tolerance for self and turns against certain molecules of the body, causing one of the many --- diseases.

anaphylactic

Sometimes, an acute allergic response can result in --- shock, a life-threatening reaction to injected or ingested allergens.

humoral

The --- mechanism that combats worms is similar to the allergic response that causes such disorders as hay fever and allergic asthma.

IgE

The most common allergies involve antibodies of the --- class.