35,601views
00:00 / 00:00
Immune system
Sepsis
Neonatal sepsis
Abscesses
Type I hypersensitivity
Food allergy
Anaphylaxis
Asthma
Type II hypersensitivity
Immune thrombocytopenic purpura
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Hemolytic disease of the newborn
Goodpasture syndrome
Rheumatic heart disease
Myasthenia gravis
Graves disease
Pemphigus vulgaris
Type III hypersensitivity
Serum sickness
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis
Type IV hypersensitivity
Graft-versus-host disease
Contact dermatitis
Transplant rejection
Graft-versus-host disease
Cytomegalovirus infection after transplant (NORD)
Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (NORD)
X-linked agammaglobulinemia
Selective immunoglobulin A deficiency
Common variable immunodeficiency
IgG subclass deficiency
Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome
Isolated primary immunoglobulin M deficiency
Thymic aplasia
DiGeorge syndrome
Severe combined immunodeficiency
Adenosine deaminase deficiency
Ataxia-telangiectasia
Hyper IgM syndrome
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome
Leukocyte adhesion deficiency
Chediak-Higashi syndrome
Chronic granulomatous disease
Complement deficiency
Hereditary angioedema
Asplenia
Thymoma
Ruptured spleen
Blood transfusion reactions and transplant rejection: Pathology review
Immunodeficiencies: T-cell and B-cell disorders: Pathology review
Immunodeficiencies: Combined T-cell and B-cell disorders: Pathology review
Immunodeficiencies: Phagocyte and complement dysfunction: Pathology review
Type III hypersensitivity
0 / 8 complete
0 / 2 complete
of complete
of complete
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
in type III hypersensitivity reactions p. 111
C3 deficiency and p. 105
organ transplants p. 117
Tanner Marshall, MS
Having a hypersensitivity means that someone’s immune system has reacted to something in a way that ends up damaging them, as opposed to protecting them.
There are four different hypersensitivities and the third type or type III hypersensitivity reaction happens when antigen-antibody complexes deposit in blood vessel walls, causing inflammation and tissue damage.
Alright so first off, type III hypersensitivity reactions are mediated by immune complexes. Immune complexes, aka antigen-antibody complexes are made of two parts—the antigen and the antibody.
Antibodies, sometimes called immunoglobulins, are produced by plasma cells, which are basically fully matured and differentiated B cells.
Initially these cells make IgM - which can be secreted or bound to the plasma cell surface where it acts as a B cell receptor.
When a B cell undergoes cross-linking of two surface bound IgMs, it then takes up the antigen and presents a piece of it to T helper cells via t cell receptor to the MHC- class II molecule presenting the piece of antigen, along with costimulatory molecule CD4.
The B cell’s CD40 also binds to the T cell’s CD40 ligand, and then the t cell releases cytokines, which results in b cell activation and class switching, or isotype switching, where it changes the type of antibodies it makes.
In type III hypersensitivity reactions, typically B cells will switch from making IgM to making IgG antibodies.
Now remember that all antibodies are specific, right? Meaning that they recognize specific molecules called antigens, the second part of immune complexes.
Type III hypersensitivity is a type of immune response in which antigen-antibody complexes accumulate in the tissues and cause inflammation and tissue damage. This type of hypersensitivity is also known as immune-complex-mediated hypersensitivity. Examples of Type III hypersensitivity reactions include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and serum sickness. Symptoms can vary depending on the tissues affected and may include joint pain and swelling, rashes, fever, and kidney damage. Treatment options may include removing the triggers, and medications like antihistamines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroids.
Copyright © 2023 Elsevier, except certain content provided by third parties
Cookies are used by this site.
USMLE® is a joint program of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). COMLEX-USA® is a registered trademark of The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, Inc. NCLEX-RN® is a registered trademark of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. Test names and other trademarks are the property of the respective trademark holders. None of the trademark holders are endorsed by nor affiliated with Osmosis or this website.